Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii

Summary: Medicare Supplement plans in Hawaii can help cover out-of-pocket cost gaps that Original Medicare leaves. There are several options for Medigap plans in Hawaii for a range of healthcare needs and budgets. Take the time to compare the Medicare Supplement plans available in your area and find the one that’s right for you. Estimated Read Time: 11 mins

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

Medicare Supplement plans in Hawaii provide beneficiaries with comprehensive coverage for the costs left by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B). These policies pay secondary to Original Medicare and help lower out-of-pocket expenses, giving recipients peace of mind. Without Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage, beneficiaries are at risk for expensive or unexpected healthcare bills.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii

It is no secret that Original Medicare has gaps in coverage. These coverage gaps mean you are responsible for cost-sharing through copays and coinsurance. A helpful way to fill in the gaps of Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is with a Medicare Supplement plan.

Medicare Supplement plans are the same in most states. This is because of Medicare Supplement plan standardization. This makes all Medigap plans of the same letter share the same benefits regardless of where you live or the carrier you enroll through.

Because of this, the most highly enrolled plans are similar from state to state. These plans include:

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

Medicare Supplement Plan F in Hawaii

Medicare Supplement Plan F in Hawaii provides the most comprehensive coverage of all Medigap plans. This plan covers 100% of your out-of-pocket costs after Original Medicare pays its portion.

Medigap Plan F in Hawaii includes:

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

However, due to the elimination of first-dollar coverage for Medigap, there is a cutoff for those who can enroll in Plan F that depends on their Medicare eligibility year. If you became eligible for Original Medicare after January 1, 2020, you are not eligible to enroll in Plan F coverage.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in Hawaii

Next up is Medicare Supplement Plan G. This plan requires beneficiaries to pay a little more in out-of-pocket costs but is becoming increasingly popular as Medigap Plan F is unavailable to new beneficiaries.

When enrolled in Plan G, you are responsible for covering the Medicare Part B deductible. Then, your Medigap plan covers all remaining Medicare-approved costs for the calendar year.

Medigap Plan G in Hawaii includes:

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

Medicare Supplement Plan N in Hawaii

Lastly, Medicare Supplement Plan N is a top plan in Hawaii due to its relatively low monthly premium and competitive benefits. With Plan N, you are responsible for paying the Medicare Part B premium, copayments at the doctor’s office or emergency room, and excess charges are applicable. In Hawaii, you could be responsible for an up to 15% additional charge above the Medicare-approved amount for a service if your physician does not accept Medicare Assignment. However, these costs are rare and easily avoidable.

Medigap Plan N in Hawaii includes:

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

Plan N is a great Medicare plan for those who don’t require frequent healthcare services.

As you can see, Medigap options in Hawaii are not limited. The right plan for you will depend on your budget, healthcare need, and availability.

Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii

To be eligible for a Hawaii Medicare Supplement plan, you must meet the eligibility criteria for Original Medicare. Typically, these requirements include being at least 65 years old and being a United States citizen for at least five years.

However, some exceptions may allow individuals to qualify for Medicare insurance at a younger age. These exceptions include being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), although Medicare coverage won’t start until after a waiting period. This waiting period is usually at least four months of undergoing dialysis.

Other exceptions include being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months.

If you currently have a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C) and want to enroll in a Medigap plan, you will need to choose between the two. You cannot have both types of coverage at once.

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

How Much Do Medigap Plans in Hawaii Cost?

If you’re looking for low-cost Medicare Supplement insurance in Hawaii, you’ll need to understand the factors that affect your monthly premiums.

Monthly Medigap premiums in Hawaii can be influenced by age, gender, and tobacco use status. Men typically pay higher rates than women, while men and women alike will likely pay more if they’re older than 65 or use tobacco. You will also have higher premiums if your Medicare Supplement plan has more benefits.

Comparing Medicare Supplement plans in Hawaii can help you find the right plan for your budget while enrolling in coverage to meet your healthcare needs. Below, we compare Medigap plans for Hawaii residents aged 65 and 75 within the same ZIP Code.

* If on Medicare before 01/01/2020

It’s important to know that the costs for premiums shown here are just averages in Hawaii. Your actual Medigap premium rates could be higher or lower depending on the factors mentioned above and other personal factors.

Companies Offering Medigap Plans in Hawaii

Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii have plenty of options for trusted insurance companies. Numerous well-known carriers offer Medigap coverage to seniors throughout the state.

A few of the most prominent Medicare Supplement insurance companies in Hawaii include:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Hawaii
• Cigna
• Humana
• United Healthcare

While considering a Medicare Supplement insurance provider in Hawaii, it’s essential to look beyond just the cost of monthly premiums. Independent credit agencies like A.M. Best and S&P assess the financial stability of insurance providers, giving insights into their ability to cover your healthcare expenses effectively.

Moreover, consumer agencies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) evaluate customer service based on complaints, providing valuable information about the overall consumer experience. Weighing all these factors will help you decide when selecting a Medigap carrier for your supplemental coverage in Hawaii.

Medigap Plans in Hawaii for the Disabled Under 65

Hawaii doesn’t require carriers to offer Medigap policies to individuals under 65 who qualify due to disability. Yet, these beneficiaries may find Medicare Advantage coverage more suitable for their wallets, as Medigap premiums are higher under 65.

Once they reach 65, individuals who were initially eligible due to disability get a chance to enroll in Medigap coverage with guaranteed issue rights. Taking advantage of this window saves money, time, and energy.

Medicare Supplement Rating Method in Hawaii

In Hawaii, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are rated using Attained-Age Rated, Issue-Age Rated, and Community Rated.

Most Medigap insurers in Hawaii use the Attained-Age Rated method. This means that your premiums for Medicare supplements are based on your current age. Initially, when you enroll in a Medigap policy, your premiums are typically lower and gradually increase as you age. These increases in premiums are usually due to the higher healthcare costs associated with aging and the increased utilization of medical services.

Under the Issue-Age Rated method, the premium is based on your age at enrollment. If you enroll in a Medigap plan as soon as you are eligible at 65, you will typically have lower premiums that do not increase solely based on your age. However, the premium may still rise over time due to factors like inflation.

The Community Rated method ensures that all individuals enrolled in the same Medigap plan within a specific geographic location in Hawaii pay the same premium, regardless of their age. While the premium may increase due to external factors like inflation, it is not directly tied to your age alone.

Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in Hawaii

Hawaii residents have certain guaranteed issue rights or Medigap protections under federal law. These rights ensure they can enroll in a Medigap plan without being denied coverage or higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. These protections aim to provide access to Medigap coverage when it is needed.

One important guaranteed issue right is the Medicare Advantage trial period. If someone joins a Medicare Advantage plan when first eligible for Medicare and decides to disenroll within the first year, they have a one-time guaranteed issue right to enroll in a Medigap plan. This allows them to obtain Medigap coverage without undergoing medical underwriting.

Another important protection is available for those who lose coverage. If someone loses employer-based retirement coverage or if their current Medigap plan is terminated or discontinued, they have a guaranteed issue right to enroll in another Medigap plan.

These guaranteed issue rights also apply if someone moves out of state and their Medigap carrier is no longer available. To qualify for this protection, they must apply for a new Medigap plan within 63 days of the termination of their existing plan.

Additionally, there are guaranteed issue rights associated with Medicare Advantage plans. Suppose someone’s Medicare Advantage plan is terminated. In that case, if they move out of its service area or they lose coverage due to circumstances beyond their control, they have a guaranteed issue right to enroll in a Medigap plan. To be eligible for this protection, they must apply for a Medigap plan within 63 days of the termination of their Medicare Advantage plan.

When to Enroll in a Medigap Plan in Hawaii

As a resident of Hawaii, you become eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan as soon as you enroll in Original Medicare. There is no specific deadline for enrolling in supplemental insurance, but if you apply outside of your Open Enrollment Period, you may need to answer underwriting questions about your health.

Your initial enrollment in Medicare Part B triggers a six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this time, you can enroll in a Medigap plan without undergoing medical underwriting. It is the best opportunity to get a Medicare Supplement plan because insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on preexisting health conditions.

If you delay enrolling in a Medigap plan due to having creditable coverage in addition to Medicare Part B, you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This period grants you guaranteed issue rights, allowing you to get a Medigap plan without underwriting.

Does Hawaii Allow Medicare Excess Charges?

Medicare Part B excess charges are an occasional additional expense that can occur on top of the Medicare-approved amount for a specific service. These charges are applicable only when your healthcare provider accepts Medicare but chooses not to accept Medicare assignment.

While not all states permit excess charges, most do, and Hawaii is one of them. In cases where your provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they may bill you for an extra fee of up to 15% for the services rendered. However, it’s essential to note that most healthcare providers do accept Medicare assignment, making excess charges relatively uncommon.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Hawaii

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan in Hawaii, there are certain benefits your plan does not cover that you may wish to receive. These benefits include prescription drug, dental, vision, and hearing coverage. Luckily, these options are available through additional plans like Medicare Part D.

Additional coverage plans are available to help cover dental, vision, and hearing benefits for those enrolled in Medicare across Hawaii. These plans allow you to visit the physician of your choice and receive care otherwise unavailable through Original Medicare.

Medicare Part D plans offer prescription drug coverage and are available to enroll in when you have Original Medicare. With or without a Medicare Supplement plan, Part D is essential to receive prescription drug benefits. However, check the formulary of your Part D plan to see if it covers your prescriptions.

Additionally, if you decide a Medigap plan is unsuitable for you, looking into a Medicare Advantage plan may be another great option. Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans combine Original Medicare coverage with additional benefits to provide you with a wide range of healthcare insurance.

Remember that these plans may require networks, additional out-of-pocket costs, and prior authorizations. It’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons before deciding if a Medicare Advantage plan instead of a Medigap plan is right for you. 

How to Apply For a Medicare Supplement Plan in Hawaii

The world of Medicare health insurance can be tough to navigate, but it doesn’t have to be! At MedicareFAQ, we’re here to help you get the correct information to determine which Medicare Supplement plan is best for you. Our services are free, we work with clients nationwide, and our licensed insurance agents can answer all your questions from the comfort of your home.

If you want more information on Medigap plans in Hawaii, don’t hesitate to call us at the number above. If you don’t have time to call, you can complete a no-obligation online rate form to obtain rates in your area today!

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