Idaho Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho are available to Original Medicare recipients. These plans help cover the costs Medicare Part A and Part B leave behind, helping to alleviate your out-of-pocket responsibility.

When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, you do not lose Medicare Part A and Part B benefits. Medigap coverage is secondary, meaning your policy pays after Original Medicare has pays its portion. This also means you can see any doctor accepting Original Medicare, regardless of your policy’s carrier.

Below, we review Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho and how they can help you save money with your healthcare coverage.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho for 2022

The best Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho for 2022 are Medigap Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. These plans consistently rank as the top options nationwide due to their comprehensive coverage levels and monthly premium cost.

If you are looking for a plan to cover all of your out-of-pocket expenses after Original Medicare pays, Medicare Supplement Plan F may be the right plan for you. This plan leaves zero out-of-pocket cost for the enrollee. All you pay is the monthly premium.

Keep in mind, not all Medicare enrollees can sign up for this plan. To be eligible for Medigap Plan F, you must have enrolled in Medicare Part A before January 1, 2020.

If you are looking for a plan that offers exceptional benefits at a lower cost than Medigap Plan F, Medicare Supplement Plan G might be suitable. Medicare Supplement Plan G covers 100% of your out-of-pocket costs once you meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible.

Lastly, Medicare Supplement Plan N offers the lowest monthly premium of the three plans. However, you will pay higher out-of-pocket costs when receiving care. With Medicare Supplement Plan N, you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, $20 copayments at the doctor or specialist, and $50 copayments at the Emergency Room. If you are admitted to the hospital from the ER, your copayment will be waived.

If you enroll in Medigap Plan N in Idaho, you will also be responsible for paying excess charges. Excess charges are not common. Yet, Idaho allows excess charges. Thus, it is important to be aware of them.

Medicare excess charges are an additional fee of up to 15% that providers may charge on top of the Medicare-approved amount for a service if they do not accept Medicare assignment. While most doctors accept Medicare assignment, it is important to speak with your doctor to avoid any unexpected charges.

Additionally, the new plan may be through a different carrier than the original plan. The window to make these changes opens on the beneficiary’s birthday each year and closes 63 days later.

Below is an example of premiums for a non-tobacco using male and female at age 65 and age 75 in a highly populated Idaho ZIP Code.

* If on Medicare before 65

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho

The best time to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan in Idaho is during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period gives you six months to enroll in Medigap without medical underwriting questions. This means that you can enroll in any policy and not be denied coverage.

If you miss your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period, you can still apply for coverage at any time. However, you may need to answer underwriting health questions. Thus, a company can deny your application for any reason.

The only way to enroll in a Medigap plan outside of this enrollment period without underwriting health questions is if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. If this is the case, you will have a limited amount of time to enroll in Medigap coverage without underwriting health questions.

Medigap for the Disabled Under 65 in Idaho

There is no federal requirement for carriers to provide Medigap options to anyone under 65. So, those with disabilities who want extra coverage may find a Medicare Advantage plan to be more affordable.

In Idaho, those on Medicare prior to age 65 can enroll in Medicare Supplement plans. The state requires companies to provide at least one plan to those on Medicare under 65.

However, even states and carriers that offer younger enrollees this option usually charge more for a Medigap plan under 65. Further, many companies only offer Medigap Plan A – the plan with the fewest benefits. Once you turn 65, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without underwriting health questions.