Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

Summary: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in Michigan are standardized to provide the same benefits as Medigap plans nationwide. Each plan offers different benefits based on your needs. Estimated Read Time: 9 min

Table of Contents:

1. Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan
2. Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan
3. How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan Cost?
4. Carriers Offering Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan
5. Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan for Disabled Persons Under 65
6. Medicare Supplement Rating Methods In Michigan
7. Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in Michigan
8. When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Plan in Michigan?
9. Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Michigan

Michigan seniors with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) are still responsible for out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Supplement plans in Michigan (Medigap) help you stay protected with a more comprehensive form of coverage. These policies pay for many of the costs Original Medicare does not cover.

Medicare Supplement plans in Michigan help cover the out-of-pocket costs from Medicare Part A and Part B, which only cover 80% of the expenses once you meet the deductible. Because Medicare is a federal program, it operates similarly in most states.

All Medicare Supplement policies are standardized, which means benefits for the same plan do not vary between carriers. This makes it easy to decide which plan will work best for you. In Michigan, as in most states, Medigap plans are lettered A through N.

When you enroll in Medigap, you can receive care from any doctor or hospital accepting Original Medicare. Thus, you will not have to adhere to specific networks.

Medicare Supplement plans in Michigan are an excellent choice for those who want low out-of-pocket costs and comprehensive medical coverage.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

For starters, the best Medicare Supplement plan in Michigan for you would be one that provides you with the benefits and coverage best suited for your healthcare.

There are many plans available, and each person has their own healthcare needs. For these reasons, we always recommend that seniors assess their healthcare and budget needs, which helps them choose a plan to cover the necessary costs.

But three Medicare Supplement options, Medigap Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N, all typically provide solutions for seniors living in The Great Lakes State.

Medigap Plan F in Michigan

Medigap Plan F in Michigan delivers the most comprehensive coverage for the gaps in Original Medicare. Those with a Medicare Supplement Plan F policy receive coverage for the complete cost of Original Medicare’s deductibles, coinsurances, and copayments.

Those with Medicare Part A and Part B alone pay 20% out-of-pocket for services Medicare covers. However, Medicare Supplement Plan F includes these costs in your protection.

Unfortunately, while Medigap Plan F hasn’t been discontinued, only Michiganders eligible for Medicare coverage before January 1, 2020, are eligible to enroll in this plan.

Medigap Plan G in Michigan

Medicare Supplement Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except your Medicare Part B deductible. Even after paying the deductible, Medigap Plan G in Michigan may work better for some because their premium savings each year over Plan F exceed the total deductible.

Two key areas in which Medigap Plan G in Michigan helps protect you when receiving care for a chronic condition are emergency healthcare services and preventive care. For example, this option covers up to 80% of foreign travel emergency care costs.

For seniors in need of additional medical care, Medicare Supplement Plan G in Michigan is a great option to enjoy a more comprehensive form of coverage by filling in the holes in coverage you encounter when only enrolling in Original Medicare.

Medigap Plan N in Michigan

While Medicare Supplement Plan N will have the lowest premium of the top three plans, it also comes with a lower level of coverage. Thus, with Medigap Plan N in Michigan, you may be responsible for copays when you go to the doctor or hospital in addition to the Medicare Part B deductible.

Additionally, if you have Medigap Plan N and visit a practitioner who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment, excess charges in Michigan will apply. Most states permit excess charges, and Michigan is no exception. However, if you receive care from a practitioner who does not accept Medicare assignment in a state that does not permit excess charges, you will not need to pay them.

Determining the best Medigap plans in Michigan will be different for each senior. If you have fewer medical needs, Medicare Supplement Plan N’s lower premium makes it a more attractive option.

But for those in need of more coverage, Medigap Plan G – or Plan F, for those who qualify – may make the most sense.

Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

Before you can enroll in a Medigap plan in Michigan, there are certain eligibility requirements you need to meet.

First and foremost, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. It’s important to note that if you have a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan, you cannot purchase a Medigap plan, as these two types of coverage cannot be used together.

In Michigan, the eligibility criteria for Medigap plans are generally consistent with federal guidelines. The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This period begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this six-month window, insurance companies are not allowed to deny you coverage or charge you higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

If you miss your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may still be eligible to enroll in a Medigap plan in Michigan. However, you may be subject to medical underwriting, which means that insurance companies can consider your health status and medical history when determining your eligibility and premiums. This could potentially result in higher costs or denial of coverage based on pre-existing conditions.

It’s worth noting that eligibility requirements may vary slightly depending on the insurance company offering the Medigap plan. Some companies may offer additional enrollment opportunities or have different guidelines for individuals under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability.

How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan Cost?

The monthly premium price for Michigan Medigap plans will vary based on different factors. For example, men will usually pay more than women. Additionally, the more benefits you have in your coverage, the higher your premiums will be, and those who do not use tobacco can expect lower rates.

The below Medigap cost comparison chart Michigan residents may use depicts monthly premium costs for a 65-year-old male and female compared to a 75-year-old male and female in the same Michigan zip code.

* If on Medicare before 1/1/2020

As you can see from the table above, signing up for a Medicare Supplement plan as soon as you are eligible is a good idea. The cost of Medigap insurance will likely be higher if you enroll at 75 instead of taking advantage of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Your costs will include your premium and various out-of-pocket expenses your Medicare Supplement plan requires.

Carriers Offering Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

Many prominent brands allow Michigan residents access to Medicare Supplement coverage.

Here is a list of some of the most popular companies providing Michigan Medicare Supplement plans for seniors:

• Aetna
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Cigna
• Humana
• UnitedHealthCare

Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan for Disabled Persons Under 65

The federal government does not require insurance companies to sell Medigap to beneficiaries under 65.

Michigan does require that some insurance carriers at least provide Medicare Supplement Plan A or Plan D to those under 65 with a disability during the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. However, there are a limited number of insurers that will offer these plans, and the plans that are available will have very high monthly premiums.

Medicare Supplement Rating Methods in Michigan

Michigan uses the “attained age” rating method. This means that insurance companies use your current age to determine the premiums for your Medigap plan. As you get older, the premiums may increase based on your age, in addition to any other factors that may affect pricing.

This is because the risk of healthcare expenses typically increases with age. Insurance companies are allowed to adjust the premiums annually based on your age, resulting in higher costs as you get older.

It’s important to note that while the attained-age rating method is commonly used in Michigan, insurance companies may have different pricing structures and rate increases. It’s advisable to carefully review and compare the pricing and rate increase policies of different insurance companies when considering a Medicare Supplement plan in Michigan.

Medigap Supplement Guaranteed Issue Protections in Michigan

In Michigan, there are certain guaranteed issue rights in place to ensure that individuals have access to Medigap plans without being denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. These protections help individuals who are transitioning from other health coverage to Medigap plans or those who have experienced specific life events.

These guaranteed issue rights include loss of employer-based coverage and changes to a Medicare Advantage plan (Medicare Part C).

With GI rights, you have a limited period of time to enroll in a Medigap plan without being subject to medical underwriting. The specific timeframes and eligibility criteria vary depending on the circumstances of your coverage loss.

When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Plan in Michigan?

You can change your Medigap plan in Michigan at any time. However, you will be subject to underwriting if you are outside your Open Enrollment Period or do not have a guaranteed issue right.

Those with certain pre-existing conditions may not pass the Medicare Supplement underwriting process. Thus, a carrier can deny entry to a plan.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options in Michigan

Neither Original Medicare nor Medicare Supplement coverage helps pay for prescription drugs, hearing, vision, or dental care.

Medicare Advantage is available in Michigan but has more restrictions and doesn’t cover you across the country in the same way Medigap does.

If you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you will also need Medicare Part D for prescription drug coverage. Michigan offers fantastic Medicare Part D plans that provide affordable coverage.

Additionally, dental, vision, and hearing plans are popular among Medicare Supplement policyholders. Adding an ancillary policy with these benefits will provide more well-rounded coverage.

If you decide a Medicare Supplement plan is not suitable for you, Michigan Medicare Advantage plans combine Medicare Part A and Part B coverage into a managed care plan through the carrier of your choice.

Medicare Advantage plans can also include dental, vision, and hearing benefits, and most include prescription drug coverage. However, remember that you cannot have a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan at the same time.

How to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

To enroll in Medicare Supplement plans in Michigan, you must have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan year-round. However, we recommend signing up during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period is the only opportunity for most people to get a Medigap plan without needing to answer health questions. You may be subject to underwriting health questions and face denial due to a pre-existing condition if you apply outside of this period.

So, if at any time you receive a diagnosis of a certain medical condition or take specific medications, a carrier may deny you coverage or charge a higher premium price.

However, if you qualify for guaranteed issue rights outside of your Open Enrollment Period, you may be eligible to enroll in a Medigap plan without health questions.

No matter which Medicare Supplement plan in Michigan works best for you, we’re here to help. Contact one of our licensed insurance agents by calling the number above or compare your coverage options by filling out our online rate form to find a plan built for your needs today!

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