What Are Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Virginia?
Close to a quarter of Virginia’s residents are employed in a government-related job within the state. Despite this proximity to the inner workings of the government, there are still things Virginia residents age 65 and older need to know regarding the option of enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. This includes knowing that copayments, coinsurance and deductibles are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B. Because of these “gaps,” residents of Virginia may want to consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Also referred to as Medigap, Medicare Supplement Insurance plan are a way to cover these types of out-of-pocket costs. Private insurance companies throughout Virginia offer Medigap plans.
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.
Virginia 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 Virginia
Virginia’s government-approved Medicare Supplement Insurance plans protect residents in most states, including Virginia. See below for a view of the most popular Medigap options selected by Virginia residents. Throughout the state of Virginia, insurance companies which sell Medigap plans offer the same basic benefits. However, there may be different prices depending on where you live and the insurance carrier. In addition, each insurer in Virginia may not offer each of the Medigap plans.
As reported by AHIP, 441,619 Virginia beneficiaries enrolled in a Medigap policy in 2019. Below is the breakdown of the number of Virginia enrollees by Medigap plan type.
| Plan | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enrollment # | 2,358 | 2,429 | 6,508 | 934 | 1,081 | 244,937 | 121,363 | 577 | 4,183 | 18,837 | 1,773 | 824 | 13 | 32,305 |
Source: AHIP. Reflects data through December, 2019.
| Plan | Enrollment # |
|---|---|
| A | 2,358 |
| B | 2,429 |
| C | 6,508 |
| D | 934 |
| E | 1,081 |
| F | 244,937 |
| G | 121,363 |
| H | 577 |
| I | 4,183 |
| J | 18,837 |
| K | 1,773 |
| L | 824 |
| M | 13 |
| N | 32,305 |
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 Virginia 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 or you may want to consider a Medicare Advantage plan, which typically includes coverage for prescription drugs and may also include other benefits, such as dental, vision, hearing and gym memberships.
Learn more about your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan options in Virginia by working 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 plans in Virginia.
Virginia residents cannot be enrolled in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. A Medigap plan can also not be used to pay for any expenses for a Medicare Advantage plan.
When is the Virginia Medicare Supplement Plan Enrollment Period?
Initial enrollment timeframes are very important. Enrollment for Virginia Medicare Supplement Insurance plans 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 get a Medigap plan.
Virginia residents have a six-month period surrounding their birth month to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Those 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 are you eligible for Medicare. You might be surprised to hear that enrollment can begin as early as 64 and 6 months. During this important six-month period, companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cannot use underwriting. If you apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance outside of this timeframe, you will be subject to a physical exam. If you apply for Medigap coverage after the first 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.
How Do I Find the Right Virginia Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan?
One of the best ways to find a Medicare plan that meets your needs is to work with a Medicare Insurance specialist at SelectQuote. We help customers stay up to date on the annual updates made to Medicare plans by insurance companies and we also work to ensure you are receiving all of the available Medicare benefits. As a trusted independent third-party company, SelectQuote is here to help you find the right Medicare Supplement 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.
