Oklahoma Medicare Supplement plans, in addition to Medicare, give you complete coverage. Those with only Medicare are financially at risk, and most beneficiaries don’t know it. Medigap plans in Oklahoma work the same way as they do in any other state. Below, we’ll go over what you need to know in 2020.

Oklahoma Medicare Supplement Plans in 2020

Beneficiaries can apply for Medigap in Oklahoma at any time. However, the best time to enroll is when you first become eligible for Medicare and enroll in Part B. There could be medical underwriting required if you apply outside your open enrollment window.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Oklahoma

When comparing the best Oklahoma Medicare Supplement plans, it is essential to remember that regardless of the carrier you decide to go with, the letter plan benefits will be the same. The only difference for each plan is what the provider chooses to charge in monthly premiums. For example, a letter plan in Norman may differ in cost from the same letter plan in Lawton.

Since Medicare Supplements are standardized by the federal government, the best Medigap plans available in Oklahoma are not any different than the best plans available in another state.

Oklahoma Medicare Supplement Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a Medicare Supplement, you must be 65 years of age and enrolled in Part B. For most; Part B is effective the first day of the month you turn 65. This is the same day your Medigap Open Enrollment Period will begin.

How Much are Medigap Premiums in Oklahoma

The price will vary between company and location. For example, Plan G in Tulsa will have a different premium than in Oklahoma City.

The most commonly used rating method in Oklahoma is the attained-age rating. This means the rate is based on current age and the premium increases as you age.

How Medigap Works in Oklahoma

Let’s say Gail has Medicare and a Part D plan. Well, Gail suffers from clinical depression and sees a doctor once a month. Since she only sees the doctor once a month, she thinks Medicare will provide her with adequate coverage.

Gail doesn’t realize the doctor’s visit is 20% of her responsibility after the Part B deductible. Sure the Part B amounts aren’t too unbearable; however, Part A expenses can be astronomical.

Let’s say Gail requires inpatient mental health services. Gail needs to pay the Part A deductible; in addition to other cost-sharing. 3 days in inpatient mental health care can cost several thousand dollars. Having a supplement would eliminate this high expense.

Let’s say Gail enrolls in Plan F. Well; Plan F covers ALL the gaps in Medicare. Gail doesn’t pay any copayment or coinsurance when she goes to the doctor or the hospital. If the monthly premiums are too high for your budget, and you’re okay with paying more as you go, then a Medicare Advantage plan may be suitable.

Medicare Advantage Plans in Oklahoma

In 2020, 22% of enrollees chose a Medicare Advantage plan. This type of policy replaces Medicare and will assume the responsibility for all your medical claims.

Let’s say Gail enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan with an effective date the same as her Part A and B. Well, Gail has a policy with a $0 premium.

With this plan, Gail is still responsible for 20% of the cost of a specialist or primary doctor. Then, she also pays 20% of the costs for most diagnostic services, labs, and imaging.

Gail will also pay $600 PER DAY for days 1-3 in an inpatient hospital care setting. That would be $1,800 for a 3-day hospital stay. The cost of one stay in the hospital would be more than the annual cost for a Medigap Plan.

Now, since Gail enrolled in an Advantage plan as soon as she became eligible to do so, she will be granted Special Election Period rights for the first 12-months of her plan to change to Medigap.

Thankfully, with us in her corner, Gail was able to get Medigap coverage at an affordable rate.

Oklahoma Medicare Prescription Drug Plans

To avoid paying the full costs of prescription medications, beneficiaries enroll in stand-alone Part D plans.

Neither Medicare nor Medigap includes coverage for prescription medications taken at home.

However, any medications given in an inpatient and outpatient setting will have coverage.

Not taking a Part D plan when you’re first able to could result in a penalty.

There are about 29 Part D plans available in Oklahoma.

Medicare Oklahoma Resources

Oklahoma’s SHIP program is a Senior Health Insurance Counseling program that helps beneficiaries navigate through Medicare. They offer resources and answer questions for local recipients.

How many Oklahoma hospitals currently have the 5-star Medicare rating?

There are 9 hospitals in Oklahoma who received Medicare’s five star top rating.

Why is Oklahoma not paying for my Medicare Part B premiums?

You would need to qualify for Extra Help to receive funds from the state to pay your Medicare premiums.