What Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Are Available in Tennessee?
Medicare Parts A and B provide insurance for hospital and doctor visits, but there are “gaps” in coverage, which includes things like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. For those about to turn age 65, a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan can assist with covering these types of out-of-pocket expenses. Also referred to as Medigap, a Tennessee Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is a way to reduce the risk and the unknowns related to out-of-pocket costs. These plans and are offered by private insurance companies throughout the state.
In 2022, residents of Tennessee have many Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance plans from which to choose. These include basic benefits from Plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N. Medigap Plans C, E, F, H, I and J are no longer available to those who are newly eligible to Medicare but enrollees have been grandfathered into their plan.
As of 2020, Medicare Supplement Insurance plans will no longer sell Medigap Plans C or F to newly eligible Medicare members. Congress has decided that new Medigap plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible after January 1, 2020. This will only affect Medicare Supplement Plans C and F as these are the only Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible. Anyone enrolled in a Medigap Plan C or F as of December 31, 2019, will be grandfathered and will be able to continue to use their plan as long as they want.
Tennessee residents looking for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan need to first look at their specific coverage needs to determine what Medigap plan they might want to consider.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee
The government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans help protect consumers in most states, including Tennessee. The statistics below show the what Medigap plans are selected by Tennessee residents. Insurance companies selling Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits, but those plans may come at different prices depending upon the insurance carrier and your location. Each insurer in Tennessee may not offer each of the available Medigap plans.As reported by AHIP, 315,433 Tennessee beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Tennessee enrollees by Medigap plan type.| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 1,540 | 1,633 | 11,158 | 3,521 | 1,958 | 156,978 | 95,404 | 304 | 10,557 | 8,051 | 1,056 | 512 | 51 | 21,192 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 1,540 |
| B | 1,633 |
| C | 11,158 |
| D | 3,521 |
| E | 1,958 |
| F | 156,978 |
| G | 95,404 |
| H | 304 |
| I | 10,557 |
| J | 8,051 |
| K | 1,056 |
| L | 512 |
| M | 51 |
| N | 21,192 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
While a Medigap policy will help pay for things like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles not covered by Medicare Parts A and B, it is important to note that your Tennessee Medicare Supplement Insurance plan does not include coverage for prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to help you with prescription drug costs. Another option to consider is a Tennessee Medicare Advantage plan, which typically includes prescription drug coverage and may also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
To learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Tennessee, you can work with a SelectQuote licensed sales agent. Acting as your advocate, our licensed sales agents can guide you through the Medicare maze to better understand Medigap plan options and answer any questions you may have throughout the process. SelectQuote individually shops more than 20 national insurance companies to help you compare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Tennessee.
Tennessee residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan can’t be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
Tennessee Medicare Supplement Plan Enrollment Period
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in Tennessee begins the first day of the month you turn 65 years old. You also must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B in order to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Tennessee residents have a six-month period surrounding their individual birth date to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. In some special cases, Medicare purchases can be made beforehand. Tennessee residents under the age of 65 can check with the Social Security Administration office for additional enrollment periods.
The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is during the initial 6 months you are eligible for Medicare. It can be beneficial to start making these important changes at age 64 and 6 months, as soon as you’re eligible. During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting. In other words, during this window of time your acceptance is guaranteed. However, if you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of this 6-month timeframe, you will be subject to a physical exam. If you apply for Medigap coverage after the first six months of eligibility, a company can refuse to sell you a plan or premiums may also adjust depending on current health status and pre-existing health conditions.
Is a Tennessee Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Right for You?
The best way to find out is to contact SelectQuote, an independent third-party company which specializes in helping consumers understand the ins and out of Medicare. SelectQuote can help to ensure you’re getting the Medicare benefits you deserve and inform you about the annual changes insurance companies make to Medicare Insurance plans. Let us help you find the right Tennessee Medicare Supplement Insurance plan to meet your needs and budget.
To ensure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to receive, call or complete your online form today. Let SelectQuote’s personal licensed sales agents simplify the Medicare maze by comparing rates and independently shopping insurance companies to help you find an affordable option that meets your unique needs.
