Kentucky Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky follow the standard federal regulations for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. This means, benefits are the same in Kentucky as they are in most other states across the U.S.

When you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky, you receive coverage for costs Original Medicare leaves behind. The level of coverage you receive depends on the Medicare Supplement plan you enroll in.

Keep reading to learn more about benefits, costs, and options for Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky.

What are the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky?

The best Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky match the best Medicare Supplement plans across the U.S. This is due to plan standardization. Since these best Medicare Supplement plans offer the exact same benefits, it makes sense that they are considered the best in multiple states.

The best Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky are Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F. These plans are the best in terms of their coverage, availability, and premium cost. In the infographic below, you can see the comparisons between Medicare Supplement Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N.

If you are looking for a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky to give you 100% coverage after Original Medicare pays its portion of the bill, then Medicare Supplement Plan F may be the right plan for you. Medicare Supplement Plan F offers the most benefits of all Medicare Supplement plans but also has one of the highest monthly premium costs.

To be eligible for Medicare Supplement Plan F, you must have received Original Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. In this case, you can still enroll in the plan. However, if you received Original Medicare after January 1, 2020, you are not able to enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F coverage.

If you find that you aren’t able to enroll in Plan F, the next best Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky that may be available for you would be Medicare Supplement Plan G. Medicare Supplement Plan G will cover 100% of your out-of-pocket Medicare costs once you pay the Medicare Part B annual deductible. Anyone enrolled in Original Medicare is eligible for this plan.

For most, the Medicare Supplement Plan G premium is ideal. It is often much lower than the Medicare Supplement Plan F premium and slightly higher than the Plan N premium. However, it often makes the most sense to go with Plan G as the premium difference will be lower than the cost of copayments with Plan N.

Lastly, Medicare Supplement Plan N in Kentucky offers comprehensive coverage for a low monthly premium in exchange for more out-of-pocket costs. Like Medicare Supplement Plan G, when you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan N, you will need to cover the full Medicare Part B deductible before your coverage will begin. Once you meet the deductible, you are responsible for $20 copays at the doctor, $50 copays at the ER, and Medicare excess charges if necessary. While this plan has more out-of-pocket costs than Medicare Supplement Plan F in Kentucky, you may notice a lower overall out-of-pocket cost due to the extreme difference in premium.

Cost of Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky

The cost of a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky varies. The price fluctuates depending on where you live within the state of Kentucky, how old you are, and in some cases, your health can play a factor. Review the chart below to see example premiums of a 65-year-old male and female in a Kentucky ZIP Code.

* If on Medicare before 1/1/20

Keep in mind, the chart is only an example of a premium range. Your premium can differ depending on your situation.

Are Medicare Excess Charges Allowed in Kentucky?

Kentucky does allow Medicare excess charges. However, they are rare. Excess charges are up to a 15% charge on top of the Medicare-approved amount for a service charged by physicians who do not accept Medicare Assignment. Medicare Assignment is the agreed price set by Medicare for covered services and procedures.

If your physician does not accept these agreed costs, they can add up to 15% to your cost that you are responsible for covering. However, not all physicians allow excess charges and not all states will allow physicians to charge them.

In order to be sure you will not incur excess charges, you should speak with them prior to receiving services.  

Who is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky?

To be eligible for Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky, you will need to be enrolled in Original Medicare (Medicare part A and Medicare Part B).

To enroll in Original Medicare, you typically must be age 65 or older and have been a citizen of the U.S. for at least 5 years.

If you are under 65, you might be eligible for Original Medicare under certain circumstances. These include:

• Receiving a diagnosis for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
• Receiving a diagnosis for End-Stage Renal Disease
• Receiving Social Security Disability benefits for 24 months

If you meet any of the above criteria, you may be entitled to Original Medicare benefits. Once enrolled, you can then choose to enroll in Medicare Part D and a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan.

When Can I Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky?

The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky would be during the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. This means you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky within a six-month timeframe. The window begins the month you turn 65. During this time, you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky without answering underwriting health questions and you cannot be denied a policy for any reason.

If you miss this enrollment period, you can still enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky at any time. However, there may be a few Medicare Supplement underwriting questions to answer and your Medicare Supplement plan could be denied due to your health.

If you have a health condition, working with one of our licensed Medicare agents will make it easier for you to identify the Medicare Supplement plans you are eligible for in Kentucky.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky for Under 65

If you are eligible for Medicare under 65, you may be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky. To be eligible for Medicare Supplements, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare.

Not all states require carriers to offer Medicare Supplement plans to those under the age of 65.

It is not required for Medicare Supplement insurance companies in Kentucky to offer plans to those with Medicare under age 65 due to disability. Since Medicare Supplement plans usually cost more when you are under 65, it is often suggested to wait until you turn 65 to enroll in a plan in Kentucky.

Additionally, Medicare Supplement plan options for under 65 due to disability in Kentucky tend to be more expensive than the options for those over age 65. One option for those under 65 and on Medicare would be to enroll in a Medicare Advantage.  This is due to the high price of Medicare Supplement plans when you are under 65. Compared to Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage is much lower cost under age 65. 

When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, your monthly premium can be as low as $0. However, you will pay high out-of-pocket costs to off-set the low premium. In most cases, your out-of-pocket costs are still lower than Medicare Supplement costs when under 65.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Kentucky

When you enroll in Original Medicare in Kentucky, a Medicare Supplement plan is not the only option available to you. You might consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan if you want a policy with a lower monthly premium, Keep in mind, the plan can potentially have higher out-of-pocket costs.

Medicare Advantage plans often provide additional benefits like dental, vision, hearing, transportation, and prescription drug coverage. However, you are not able to have a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Supplement plan simultaneously. So, you must decide which one is better for you.

For example, Henry is having a tough time deciding between Medicare Supplement Plan G and a local Medicare Advantage plan. The infographic below breaks down the costs of each plan.

When you pair Original Medicare coverage with a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky, you can still enroll in additional coverage. Medicare is not an all-encompassing healthcare plan, so there are benefits it does not include. Ancillary plans for dental, hearing, and vision are available to provide you with these benefits.

Finally, if you need prescription drug coverage, Medicare Part D plan can help cover the cost of your prescription drugs. Original Medicare does not include prescription drug coverage. However, even if you do not yet take any prescription medications, it is wise to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan as soon as possible so you will not pay a late-enrollment penalty. Keep in mind, the Medicare Part D late-enrollment penalty may be charged if you do not enroll in Medicare Part D when you first become eligible.