Close  

Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska


Summary: Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska are there to pick up where Original Medicare leaves off and cover costs left behind. Though Medigap plans in Nebraska are standardized, premiums will vary depending on who you enroll with. Comparing coverage helps you find what benefits are right for you. Estimated Read Time: 11 mins

Table of Contents:

If you’re looking for Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska, you’ll notice you have several options to choose from. Also known as Medigap plans in Nebraska, selecting the right plan for you will depend on your healthcare needs and budget. For some, Nebraska Medicare Supplement plans may make the most sense, but a Medicare Advantage plan could be the best option for others.

In total, there are 12 lettered Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska, each standardized to offer the same level of benefits regardless of carrier. However, premiums will vary depending on who you enroll with.

It’s important to compare Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska to find the lowest price and the right coverage for your needs. Explore your options by looking at the benefits available and discover which plan is the most suitable for you.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska offer seniors more benefits for their healthcare needs. These plans are a great way to cover the gap in healthcare expenses that may be left when using Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) alone.

The best Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska for you will depend on your specific healthcare needs. This is because, for some seniors, more coverage may be the goal, while for others, lowering their premiums may be the focus they choose to pursue.

Fortunately, there are several different options available throughout the Cornhusker State. That said, three Medigap plans in Nebraska are the most common. Learn more about each below:

Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska

Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska covers gaps left by Original Medicare for seniors. This includes covering the full cost of Original Medicare’s deductibles, coinsurances, and copayments.

Seniors with Medicare Part A and Part B must pay 20% out-of-pocket for the services Medicare covers. But with Medigap Plan F in Nebraska, their benefits cover these costs.

But it’s important to understand that while Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska may not be discontinued entirely, it is only available to Cornhuskers eligible for Medicare coverage before January 1, 2020.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska

Because Plan F isn’t as available as it once was, Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska is a comparable solution. This plan covers everything Plan F covers minus the Medicare Part B deductible. Medigap Plan G in Nebraska can even be a better solution for many seniors, as the amount they save from premiums every year exceeds the plan’s deductible total.

In addition to providing coverage for emergency healthcare services and preventive care, Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska also provides coverage for chronic conditions. This includes covering 80% of your foreign travel emergency care costs.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska offers plenty of benefits for seniors needing additional medical care.

Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska

Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska offers the lowest premiums of the top three plans in most cases, but it also provides the lowest amount of coverage. For example, with Medigap Plan N in Nebraska, seniors are responsible for paying copays when visiting a hospital or doctor.

You’ll also need to pay for any excess charges while enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska if you use a doctor that doesn’t accept Medicare assignment. Again, this is only when using a practitioner who does not accept Medicare assignment.

Every senior will have different conclusions about which plan is right for them, but if you’re looking for a lower monthly premium, Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska is a great option.

Who is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska?

You’re eligible for Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska if you can receive Original Medicare benefits. In most cases, this means you’re 65 years of age and have been either a citizen or legal resident of the U.S. for at least five years.

Alternatively, you can become eligible for Original Medicare benefits and enroll in a Medigap plan in Nebraska if you are disabled, have received a diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or four months after starting dialysis due to being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cost in Nebraska?

Finding cheap Medicare Supplemental insurance plans in Nebraska depend on many factors. This is because the cost of Nebraska Medigap plans varies depending on variables such as your gender, age, and whether or not you smoke. Men typically pay more, as do seniors who smoke or require more coverage.

Below is a cost comparison chart showcasing the average cost of Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska. The data was retrieved from Medicare.gov and used a methodology based on a 65-year-old male and female compared to a 75-year-old male and female in the same Nebraska ZIP Code to examine the cost of coverage:

Female, No Tobacco, Nebraska ZIP Code 68516
Medigap Plan Monthly Premium Age 65 Monthly Premium Age 75
Medicare Supplement Plan F $115-$597* $141-$597*
Medicare Supplement Plan G $72-$514 $117-$567
Medicare Supplement Plan N $92-$319 $89-$514
Male, No Tobacco, Nebraska ZIP Code 68516
Medigap Plan Monthly Premium Age 65 Monthly Premium Age 75
Medicare Supplement Plan F $130-$674* $160-$674*
Medicare Supplement Plan G $108-$640 $132-$640
Medicare Supplement Plan N $81-$580 $100-$580

* If on Medicare before 1/1/2020

Premiums for Medigap plans in Nebraska will be higher if you wait to enroll at age 75 rather than enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This means it’s always advisable to enroll as soon as you are eligible for benefits.

The costs to seniors will include premiums and out-of-pocket costs depending upon your individual Medicare Supplement plan.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

Carriers Offering Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

Many carriers claim to be the best Medicare Supplement company in Nebraska. The truth is, there are many top-rated carriers, and the best option for you will, again, depend on your healthcare needs.

Comparing Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska means looking at different carriers, and while you’ll want to review premiums, there are other factors at hand:

You’ll want to be sure to enroll with a top-rated company that can fulfill its financial responsibilities. Reviewing ratings from independent credit agencies, such as A.M. Best and S&P, can help.

Furthermore, you’ll also want to look at how each carrier handles customer service. A great source to review such matters is the company’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating.

Although Cornhuskers have plenty of options, here are some of the top carrier options selling Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska:

Compare Nebraska Medicare Supplement Carriers
Carrier BBB Rating S&P Rating A.M. Best Rating
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska A+ A- A (Excellent)
Cigna N/A A- A (Excellent)
Mutual of Omaha A+ A+ A+ (Superior)
Manhattan Life A+ A B++
United American A+ AA- (Very Strong) A (Excellent)

Medigap Plans for Disabled Under 65 in Nebraska

There are some states that require supplemental Medicare coverage for those qualified persons under 65, but Nebraska is not one of them. Therefore, it’s up to each individual carrier whether or not they wish to offer Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska to disabled persons.

However, you may still be able to find coverage. Keep in mind that your options will likely be limited, and on top of it all, you’ll likely pay higher premiums. You may be denied coverage altogether because of your health.

When you turn 65 years of age, you’ll be able to enroll just as any other beneficiary, regardless of health, to any Medigap plans in Nebraska during your Open Enrollment Period. Until then, Medicare Advantage plans are often a great alternative until you age into the program. Speaking with a licensed Medicare agent can help you review your options.

It’s also worth noting that if you have prescription drugs, you’ll want to enroll in Medicare Part D as soon as you are eligible. Offered by private insurance companies, a Medicare Part D plan will come with a penalty if you don’t enroll right away but decide to do so later. For disabled persons, this penalty will go away once reaching age 65, but again, if you do not enroll at this time, you’ll receive another Part D penalty that will never go away.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

Medicare Supplement Rating Methods in Nebraska

Different Medicare Supplement rating methods affect your premium in different ways. In Nebraska, there are two different Medigap rating methods each carrier can choose to use:

  • Attained age ratings don’t pay attention to the age you enroll but rather whatever age you are currently. This means that as you get older, you’re going to pay higher and higher premiums.
  • Issue age ratings assess the age you are at enrollment. So, your premium will be lower if you are younger at enrollment rather than if you wait to enroll at a later age.

Understanding the Medicare Supplement rating methods your carrier uses can help you when comparing coverages. Medigap rating methods are a great way to understand how your premiums will be affected both in the present and the future.

Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in Nebraska

If you’re looking to enroll in Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska outside of your Open Enrollment Period, you may run into problems. This is because you will be subject to medical underwriting and could be denied or provided coverage at an elevated rate because of your medical history.

This is where Medigap guaranteed issue protections, also known as Medigap guaranteed issue rights, come in hand. These are qualifying life events that allow you to sign up for Medigap plans in Nebraska outside of your Open Enrollment Period, regardless of your medical history. Here are the scenarios that qualify:

  • If you left a Medicare Supplement plan in Nebraska to enroll in Medicare Advantage for the first time and it’s under a year of enrollment, you’ll receive a trial right to go back to your Medicare Supplement coverage.
  • Within the first year, if you join Medicare Advantage when turning 65, you can switch to a Medicare Supplement plan in Nebraska. This is also a trial right.
  • You’ll receive guaranteed issue rights if your Medicare Advantage plan drops coverage where you live or if you move out of its service area.
  • If you move out of the area of service for your Medicare SELECT plan.
  • The employer coverage you’re enrolled in that supplements your Original Medicare benefits is ending.
  • When carriers mislead you or don’t follow the guidelines, you have guaranteed issue protections.
  • The carrier you receive your Medigap plan in Nebraska is going bankrupt.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

Taking advantage of the Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the best time for beneficiaries to gain coverage through a Nebraska Medicare Supplement plan. Although you can enroll in Medigap at any time because Supplement insurance has no Annual Enrollment Period, it doesn’t mean that you’re guaranteed coverage.

Because Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska are offered by private insurance companies, outside of your open enrollment, you’ll need to undergo medical underwriting to gain coverage. This means that you can be denied coverage due to health issues at this time.

There are exceptions, however, for seniors with qualifying life events to enroll in a Medigap plan in Nebraska through a Special Enrollment Period. A common example would be needing to adjust your coverage due to moving.

For those that are disabled, it may be better until you turn 65 years of age to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in Nebraska. But the only way to know for sure is to compare your options. Again, licensed Medicare agents can help you determine whether or not supplemental coverage is right for you.

Additional Medicare Coverage for Beneficiaries in Nebraska

There are other coverages available beyond Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska that residents can take advantage of. A prime example is Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) coverage.

It’s also important to note that while seniors can enroll in either Medigap or Medicare Advantage, they cannot enroll in both at the same time.

In addition to these coverages, many people on Medicare find themselves in need of expensive prescriptions, looking for a solution. Having a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan can drastically reduce your costs. Remember, sign up as soon as you are eligible to avoid paying a late penalty that you can’t get rid of in the future.

A Medicare Part D policy works off of formularies that list the drugs covered by each plan. Be sure to check each plan’s formulary before enrolling to be sure that your medication is covered.

Finally, there are standalone plans for dental, vision, and hearing benefits to help you cover important healthcare costs that Original Medicare won’t under normal circumstances. Don’t forget, if Original Medicare won’t cover it, and neither will a Medigap plan in Nebraska. Therefore, standalone coverage can be a great way to round out your benefits.

Compare Medicare Plans

Find the most affordable Medicare Plan in Nebraska!

How to Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan in Nebraska

Applying for Medigap plans in Nebraska is simple, and we’re here to help seniors find the benefits they need. By speaking with one of our licensed agents, you’ll be able to find the right Medicare coverage for your healthcare.

Give us a call at the number above to explore your options for enrolling in Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska, or fill out the online rate form to find the best policy for you. Our agents can help you navigate Medicare to make the most informed choice.

Enter ZIP Code

Enter ZIP Code

Enter your ZIP code to pull plan options available in your area.

Compare Plans

Compare Plans

Select which Medicare plans you would like to compare in your area.

Get Quote

Get Quote

Compare rates side by side with plans & carriers available in your area.

Sources:

MedicareFAQ is dedicated to providing you with authentic and trustworthy Medicare information. We have strict sourcing guidelines and work diligently to serve our readers with accurate and up-to-date content.

  1. Medicare Due to Disability, Nebraska SHIIP. Accessed July 2023.
    https://doi.nebraska.gov/sites/doi.nebraska.gov/files/doc/Medicare%20Due%20to%20Disability_OUT96094.pdf
  2. Medigap Enrollment and Consumer Protections Vary Across States, KFF. Accessed July 2023.
    https://www.kff.org/medicare/issue-brief/medigap-enrollment-and-consumer-protections-vary-across-states/

Buddy Blouin

  • Content Strategist

Buddy Blouin is a healthcare writer helping seniors learn more about their coverage options. A graduate of Nicholls State University, Buddy helps educate people about complex health topics in a simple, digestible way.

Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

X