Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

Michigan seniors with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) are 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.

What Are Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan?

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 (Medigap)

For starters, the best Medicare Supplement plan in Michigan is the 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 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 the Medicare Part B deductible. Even after paying the deductible, Medigap Plan G 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 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 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, you may be responsible for copays when you go to the doctor or hospital.

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 protection, Medigap Plan G – or Plan F, for those who qualify – may make the most sense.

How Much Does Medigap Insurance Cost in Michigan?

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.

Companies 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 brands providing Michigan Medicare Supplement plans for seniors:

• Aetna
• Bankers Fidelity
• Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of Michigan
• Capitol Life
• Cigna
• GPM
• Humana
• Lumico Life Insurance
• Manhattan Life
• Mutual of Omaha
• National General
• United American
• UnitedHealthcare

Michigan Medigap Subsidy Program

The Michigan Medigap Subsidy (MMS) program helps seniors pay for Medigap plans in Michigan. MMS pays for part of the premium while you pay for the rest. However, this will only last for as long as the program is in place.

Since the deadline of January 15, 2021, the MMS program is no longer accepting new applications or missing proof of documents. Once the funding for the MMS program is gone, it will end. This is expected to occur either at the end of 2022 or at the beginning of 2023.

When Can I Change My Medigap Plan in Michigan?

You can change your Medigap plan in Michigan at any time. However, you must pass 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 Coverage for Seniors 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.