Medicare Supplement Plans in Connecticut

Summary: Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut can help provide additional coverage beyond Original Medicare. There are various Medigap plans in CT to suit different healthcare needs and budgets. Explore your options here and find the right Medicare Supplement plan for you. Estimated Read Time: 11 mins

Table of Contents:

1. Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Connecticut
2. Eligibility for Medigap Plans in CT
3. Medicare Supplement Plan Costs in Connecticut
4. Companies Offering Medigap Plans in Connecticut
5. Medigap Plans in CT for the Disabled Under 65
6. Medicare Supplement Plan Rating Methods in CT
7. Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in CT
8. When to Enroll in Medigap Plans in Connecticut
9. Does Connecticut Allow Medicare Excess Charges?
10. Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Connecticut

Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut are available to help reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs leftover from Original Medicare benefits. Also known as Medigap, these plans are provided by private insurance companies and pay secondary to Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare). There are ten standard and two high deductible Medigap plans available in CT, but their price and availability varies depending on your location.

When comparing Medigap plans in CT, you’ll find that the best option will be the plan that fits your healthcare needs and budget. This will be different for each person, but several options are available.

Furthermore, some beneficiaries may find other coverage options such as a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Part D coverage, or dental, vision, and hearing necessary for their needs. Below, we review Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut and how they can benefit you.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Connecticut

To pinpoint the right Medicare Supplement plan in CT for you, you must understand your personal healthcare needs. Remember, the best option will fit your healthcare needs without breaking the bank. Connecticut offers several Medigap plans and carriers to residents. However, you’ll notice that rates can vary between companies and plans.

Three of the 12 Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut continue to prove themselves as the most popular options among those who qualify. These plans include:

• Medicare Supplement Plan F
• Medicare Supplement Plan G
• Medicare Supplement Plan N

Medicare Supplement Plan F Connecticut

Medicare Supplement Plan F offers Connecticut residents the most comprehensive coverage among all Medicare supplement plans. Medigap Plan F pays for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) deductibles, coinsurances, and copayments, and more. When you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F, you will only be responsible for your monthly premium. After that, you won’t pay any additional out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services.

Medigap Plan F covers:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance costs, hospital costs, and hospice care
• Part B deductible, copays, coinsurance, and any excess charges
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

Unfortunately, there’s a crucial catch for Plan F. The plan is still available, but only for those eligible for Original Medicare before January 1, 2020. Anyone who enrolled in Original Medicare after this date will need to enroll in a different Medicare Supplement plan.

Medicare Supplement Plan G Connecticut

Medicare Supplement Plan G offers great benefits to Medicare enrollees at a lower monthly premium than Plan F but does require some out-of-pocket spending. When enrolled in Plan G, you’ll be responsible for covering your Medicare Part B annual deductible. Once the deductible is met, you won’t have to cover any out-of-pocket costs for any services Original Medicare covers.

Medigap Plan G covers:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance, hospital costs, and hospice care
• Part B copays, coinsurance, and any excess charges
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

Medicare Supplement Plan N Connecticut

Finally, Medicare Supplement Plan N is a popular option for those looking to save money on monthly premiums. However, while saving on premiums, you’ll need to be prepared for healthcare costs such as the Medicare Part B deductible, copayments at the doctor’s office or a trip to the Emergency Room, and excess charges when applicable. Copayments for doctors’ visits can be up to $20 per visit and copayments for an emergency room visit can be up to $50. However, if you are admitted to the hospital due to your emergency room visit, this copayment will be waived. Additionally, you will not be required to pay a copayment if you receive care at an Urgent Care facility.

Excess charges are rare. However, it is important to be prepared for the additional costs if you find yourself in a situation where they may be required. These charges occur when a healthcare provider doesn’t accept Medicare Assignment (the agreed cost for services covered by Medicare) and can be as much as 15% above the Medicare-approved cost for services.

Medigap Plan N covers:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance, hospital costs, and hospice care
• Part B copays/coinsurance
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

As you can see, the different Medicare Supplement plans in CT offer their own level of benefits and costs. If you are looking to save on premiums, Medigap Plan N is a popular option. On the other hand, Medigap Plan G, or Plan F, for those who qualify, are great choices for those needing more benefits.

Eligibility for Medigap Plans in CT

To be eligible for Medicare Supplement plans, Connecticut residents must meet the eligibility requirements for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Generally, eligibility begins at the age of 65, if you’ve been a United States citizen for at least five years. You’ll also have to have worked for a minimum of 10 years (40 tax credits) and have made contributions to Medicare through taxes.

You may also qualify for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan under age 65 if you’ve been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least two years.

It is important to note that if you are deciding between a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan and a Medigap plan, you will need to choose one or the other. You can’t have both types of coverage at the same time.

Before applying for a Medicare Supplement policy, you must first disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan, which you can only do during valid election periods. These periods include a Special Enrollment Period, the Annual Enrollment Period, or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period.

Medicare Supplement Plan Costs in Connecticut

If you’re looking for Medicare Supplement plans in CT, of course, cost is going to be a factor. Private insurance companies create your premiums by looking at different factors. Some of the biggest factors boil down to your age, gender, tobacco usage, and the plan you enroll in.

In general, men pay higher costs than women, as do smokers, and if you need more benefits, you’ll also pay more. Seniors that are higher in age can also find themselves with higher premiums.

Below, we’ve created a chart comparing the average monthly premiums of Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut for a 65-year-old male and female and a 75-year-old male and female. No one uses tobacco and all prices are sourced assuming everyone lives within the same ZIP Code:

* If on Medicare before 01/01/2020

You’ll notice for our comparison of Medigap plans in CT, premiums remain the same regardless of age or gender. Connecticut uses Community-Rated premiums, which means the age of a beneficiary doesn’t affect the price of coverage.

It’s important to note that these prices are just averages and they could be higher or lower, depending on the factors mentioned previously, as well as other personal factors.

It’s also important to point out that in Connecticut, the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is ongoing. This means you can enroll whenever you like, regardless of health-related issues or your age. All carriers must approve your policy, and you’ll receive coverage thanks to Guarantee Issue rights.

Companies Offering Medigap Plans in Connecticut

Remember, unlike Original Medicare, there are private carriers delivering Medicare Supplement plans in Connecticut. Assessing your healthcare needs can help you determine which company has the right benefits and features for your coverage. Here are some of the top companies available to Connecticut beneficiaries:

• Aetna
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Connecticut
• Cigna
• Humana
• AARP/UnitedHealthCare

When selecting an insurance provider for your Medigap plan, the monthly premium cost is a top thing to consider. However, it’s also important to take into account other factors as well.

Independent credit agencies like A.M. Best and S&P assess the financial stability of insurance providers. They help to inform you of the carriers ability to adequately cover your healthcare expenses. Additionally, consumer agencies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) assess customer service based on complaints, providing valuable insights into the overall customer experience. Considering these factors can help you make an informed decision when choosing a company for your Medigap policy.

Medigap Plans in CT For the Disabled Under 65

If you are a CT resident eligible for Medicare while still under the age of 65, you have access to Medigap plans at the same premium as those over 65. This is unique to a few states, including Connecticut, as premiums are usually much higher.

The state of Connecticut requires Medigap policies to be offered to disabled beneficiaries under 65. Eligible beneficiaries may choose between Medigap Plan A, Plan B or Plan D. They can also enroll in Medigap Plan C if they were eligible before January 1, 2020.

Medicare Supplement Plan Rating Methods in CT

As mentioned before, Connecticut uses the Community rating method for Medicare Supplement insurance plans. CT is one of the few states where Medigap policies are primarily issued using this method. This means that all individuals enrolled in the same Medigap plan within the same geographic location (such as the same zip code) will pay the same premium, regardless of age. The monthly premium may increase each year due to factors such as inflation, but the increases are not due to getting older. Premiums are typically lower overall when issued using the Community rating.

However, if you move out of Connecticut and you don’t move to one of the other seven states that offer Community rated Medigap plans, you will be subject to either the Attained age rating or the Issue age rating.

The Attained age rating method is the one most used by insurance companies across the United States. Under this method, premiums are based on the age you are when you first enroll in your Medigap plan. They’re lower if you enroll when you’re first eligible at 65 and they gradually increase as you age.

The Issue age rating method is less commonly used, but it’s similar to the Attained age method. Your premium is based on your age at the time of enrollment in your Medigap policy, but it doesn’t increase due to your age. It will only increase because of outside factors like inflation.

Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in CT

Another way that Connecticut is different from most other states is its guaranteed issue protections for Medigap. CT is one of only four states that require insurance companies to offer Medigap plans to all Original Medicare eligible beneficiaries at least once a month or continuously throughout the year.

This means that Connecticut residents can enroll in a Medigap policy at any time throughout the year for any reason, and they won’t be denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. They also won’t be subject to higher premiums due to age, gender, or health status.

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in CT

Generally, the best time to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan is as soon as you’re eligible, during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This begins after you enroll in Medicare Part B, and providers can usually deny you coverage or charge higher premiums for pre-existing conditions by subjecting you to medical underwriting after this initial enrollment period.

However, this isn’t the case for Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries. As explained previously, CT has different guaranteed issue rights than most other states, which allows for continuous open enrollment. This means that Connecticut residents can sign up for a Medigap policy anytime throughout the year without penalty.

Does Connecticut Allow Medicare Excess Charges?

Medicare excess charges are an additional fee for Medicare Part B covered services on top of the Medicare-approved amount (Medicare assignment). These excess charges cannot exceed 15%.

Luckily for Connecticut residents, it’s one of the few states that prohibits all healthcare providers from imposing any excess charges.

It’s important to note, however, that if you travel to another state that does allow excess charges for medical care, you may be responsible for paying them. But it is rare for healthcare providers to bill for excess charges even in states where they’re allowed to.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Connecticut

Medicare Supplement plans in CT are great options for many, but there are certain healthcare needs in which other benefits may be a better fit. When speaking with a licensed Medicare agent, here are some of the other considerations you may encounter outside of Medigap and Original Medicare:

• Medicare Advantage(Medicare Part C) can help you save on premiums. There are out-of-pocket costs associated, but Medicare Advantage plans provide significant benefits, although restrictions may apply. Please note that you’ll have to choose either a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan. You can’t have both.
• Medicare Part D plans are there to cover expensive costs that come from prescription drugs. Not each plan covers every medicine, however, but by checking your plan’s formulary, a list of drugs covered, you can find benefits that fit your needs.
• Ancillary policies are also available to help cover healthcare that Medicare doesn’t provide benefits for. There are several options providing benefits for your dental, vision, and hearing healthcare.