9 Factors That Impact Your Medicare Supplement Rates

Your Location

The amount you pay for a Medigap plan might be very different if you lived in another state. For example, a 65-year-old woman living in Florida pays an average of $195 in monthly premiums for Plan F. If she were living in Texas, the same woman would only be paying around $123 in monthly premiums for the same plan. However, in New York, she would be paying about $306 for the same Plan F as in the other two states. As you can see, your location is a significant factor in determining what you’ll pay in monthly premiums for a Medigap plan.

Your Gender

You might have been unaware that your gender can be a determining factor of your Medigap rates. Since women are often healthier than men on average, female beneficiaries pay about $10-30 less in monthly premiums. For example, a 65-year-old man from Palm Harbor, Florida, will receive quotes for Plan G that average about $176 per month. Plan G quotes average roughly $169 per month for a woman who is the same age, living in the same ZIP Code. Texas follows the same pattern, with the 65-year-old man paying $112 on average for Plan G and the 65-year-old woman paying around $98. Not all states use your sex/gender to determine your Medigap premiums. For example, in New York, the man and woman can both expect to pay $268 or more per month for their Plan G.

Your Age

Depending on the rating method used by your Medigap carrier, your age may be used to determine your rates. You’ll pay less when you enroll at age 65 compared to if you enrolled at age 75. Additionally, if you’re eligible for Medicare due to collecting SSDI for 24 months, your premiums could be three to four times higher than those of beneficiaries who aged into Medicare.

Tobacco Use

Those who smoke, chew, or use vaping products can expect to pay up to 10% more in monthly premiums. This is because those who use tobacco tend to incur more medical conditions.

Household Discounts

Some carriers offer discounts to those living in the same household. If, for example, your spouse enrolls in a plan with the same carrier you use, you both might be eligible for a discount. Discounts vary and depend on the carrier with which you choose to enroll. If your carrier offers a household discount, you can expect to pay 5-15% less for your policies.

How You Pay

Some carriers charge more if you choose to pay quarterly, semiannually, or annually. This is because they prefer you to pay monthly. Also, it’s more cost-effective for carriers to process your payments electronically versus by check or credit card. Because of this, some carriers will discount your premiums if you pay electronically.

Rate Increase History

You’ll want to ensure the carrier you enroll with has a financial rating of A or better. You want to ask your agent about the carrier rate increase history. Also, it’s best to choose a carrier that has been in the market for at least five years.

When You Enroll

One of the most significant factors determining your Medigap premium rate is when you enroll in your plan. The optimal time to enroll is during your Open Enrollment Period. This timeframe may only happen once in your lifetime. Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period takes place during the six-month window that begins the first day of the month of your Part B effective date. During this time, a carrier can’t deny you coverage or charge you higher monthly premiums due to any health conditions or medication you take. Outside of your Open Enrollment Period, carriers may require you to go through medical underwriting. You may then be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions or need to pay more in monthly premiums.

Rate Locks

Some carriers offer a 12-month rate lock. In this case, even if your effective date isn’t for a few months, you can benefit from enrolling as soon as possible to prevent any rate increases.