Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island

Summary: Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island will help you cover the healthcare costs left behind by Original Medicare. Also known as Medigap plans in Rhode Island, comparing carriers can help you save money. There are many different benefits available, and the right choice depends on your needs. Estimated Read Time: 13 mins

Table of Contents:

1. Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island
2. Who is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island?
3. How Much Do Medigap Plans in Rhode Island Cost?
4. Companies Offering Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island
5. Medicare Supplement Plans for Disabled in Rhode Island
6. Medigap Rating Methods in Rhode Island
7. Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in Rhode Island
8. When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island
9. Additional Medicare Coverage for Beneficiaries Rhode Island
10. How to Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan in Rhode Island

Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island (RI) are great options for covering the costs you may face if you only enroll in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and B). Also known as Medigap plans in Rhode Island, these supplemental coverages provide benefits from private insurance carriers to cover some of your out-of-pocket expenses.

The Ocean State has 12 Medigap options to choose from, but the availability of these plans will vary by ZIP Code. You can select a plan that fits your budget based on your healthcare needs.

Learn more about Rhode Island Medicare Supplement plans, how to find the right option for your needs, and how to save money in the process.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island

Choosing among Medicare Supplement plans in RI can feel overwhelming as many options exist. How do you know the best Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island? Simply put, the best Medigap plans in Rhode Island differ from person to person.

While the government standardizes these plans, your premiums will vary from company to company. Coverage is the same for each lettered plan, no matter which carrier you enroll with, so choosing the right plan comes down to finding the right benefits for your needs while fitting your budget.

That said, three Medigap plans in RI continue to be the most popular. This is because they do a great job balancing a decent number of benefits with various budgets. Learn more about each of the top three options below.

Medicare Supplement Plan F in Rhode Island

Of all the plans available, residents fall in line with the rest of the country as the most popular option is Medicare Supplement Plan F in Rhode Island. Providing the most benefits for residents of Little Rhoady, your coverage pays for the cost of copayments, coinsurances, and deductibles for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, aka Original Medicare.

Medigap Plan F in Rhode Island is still available, but only to beneficiaries that qualified for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Therefore, newly eligible beneficiaries are seeking coverage through other options.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in Rhode Island

The enrollment restrictions of Plan F are one of the leading factors in the increasing popularity of Medicare Supplement Plan G in Rhode Island. When you enroll in Medigap Plan G in RI, you receive the same coverage as Plan F in almost every way. You are, however, responsible for your Medicare Part B deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan N in Rhode Island

Lastly, Medicare Supplement Plan N in Rhode Island offers lower premiums and excellent benefits, although they provide less coverage than the other two options listed. You’ll need to pay copayments when visiting your doctor or the Emergency Room, but your emergency room copayment is waived if you are admitted to a hospital.

Medigap Plan N in RI also won’t pay for your Medicare Part B deductible or any Part B excess charges that can arise when your healthcare provider doesn’t accept Medicare assignment. But if you live in the Plantation State, you won’t have to worry about excess charges, as they are prohibited.

Even in states with excess charges, most doctors accept Medicare assignment. Because of this, Medicare Plan N in Rhode Island is a popular choice for seniors needing healthcare benefits but looking to keep costs low. However, if you qualify, Medicare Supplement Plans F and G in Rhode Island remain the favorite options for beneficiaries seeking a more comprehensive range of benefits.

Who is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island?

You can sign up for Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island if you’re eligible for Original Medicare. For most, this will mean the following:

• You’re 65 years of age.
• You’re also a U.S. citizen or a legal resident of the United States and have been for a minimum of five years.

However, there are other instances in which you may qualify for Medicare Parts A and B before you turn 65. In these instances, you will also be eligible for Medigap plans in Rhode Island:

• If you are disabled and have received two years of Social Security Disability Income payments, you qualify for Medicare Supplement plans in RI.
• If you become diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Failure and have undergone four months of dialysis, you will also qualify for Original Medicare.
• Finally, if you are diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, you can apply for Medicare benefits immediately.

Remember that Rhode Island Medicare Supplement plans must cover everything Original Medicare will but only works by covering expenses left behind by Part A and B. Therefore, you cannot enroll in a Medigap plan in RI without having Original Medicare benefits in the first place.

How Much Do Medigap Plans in Rhode Island Cost?

Several factors go into crafting the premiums for your Medicare Supplement plans in RI. Among other variables, carriers will focus on critical factors such as age, gender, and tobacco usage when calculating your rates.

Women pay less than men, as do younger people and those that abstain from tobacco. If you choose a plan with fewer benefits, you’ll also enjoy lower premiums in most cases. Finding cheap Medicare Supplemental insurance plans in RI starts with understanding how these factors affect your rates.

Below are two charts that compare Medicare Supplement plans in RI using the methodology of a 65-year-old male and female to a 75-year-old male and female in the same ZIP Code of Rhode Island. No one in this scenario uses tobacco.

* If on Medicare before 01/01/2020Costs in the charts above were provided through Medicare.gov.

As you compare Medigap plans in Rhode Island, remember to consider age for your rates. To keep premiums low, it’s always a good idea for seniors to enroll during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which occurs when you turn 65 years of age. Doing so will help you avoid having to deal with medical questions to obtain coverage.

If you do not sign up during this period, you can still receive coverage but must go through Medicare Supplement underwriting questions before obtaining your coverage. Private insurance carriers can deny you coverage outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period due to your health.

Should you experience a life-changing event, such as losing your coverage, you may be eligible for a special enrollment opportunity and avoid medical underwriting due to guaranteed issue rights.

Otherwise, you’ll go through underwriting when you submit your policy.

Medigap plans in Rhode Island use either an attained age rating or issue age rating for calculating the premium you pay. Beneficiaries are responsible for covering the cost of premiums and other out-of-pocket costs associated with your specific Medicare Supplement plan.

Companies Offering Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island

Rhoad Islanders have plenty of choices when it comes to carriers. Remember, Medicare Supplement plans in RI are standardized, so the lettered plan you enroll in will provide the same level of coverage no matter who your carrier is. However, your premiums will vary, making it essential to shop and compare.

But while cost is significant, there are more considerations than just what you pay each month. Here are some of the other factors you’ll want to compare when shopping for Medigap plans in Rhode Island.

Customer service matters, and you’ll want to know that you’re taken care of during times of need. Assessing each carrier’s Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating is a great place to start.

Financial strength is also important, as you’ll want to know that your carrier can hold up its financial responsibilities as needed. Credit agency ratings, such as those from A.M. Best and S&P, are great metrics to research.

While it doesn’t cover everyone, there are several top-rated carriers offering Rhode Island Medicare Supplement plans below. Learn more about how they stack up and compare your options.

Again, this is far from everyone, and comparing your carrier options is integral to your buyer journey. Working with a licensed Medicare agent can help you shop and compare carriers in your area to save money and time during your enrollment.

Medicare Supplement Plans for Disabled in Rhode Island

Some Medicare recipients are under the age of 65 due to disability. Although most beneficiaries are 65 and over.

A person under the age of 65 may qualify for Original Medicare if they have one of the following:

• End-Stage Renal Disease
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
• Received disability benefits from Social Security for more than 24 consecutive months
• Received certain disability benefits from Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) for more than 24 straight months

For beneficiaries under 65, finding affordable Medigap coverage can be difficult. This is where Medicare Advantage plans may be more suitable options for coverage.

However, it’s worth noting that as of July 1, 2023, State of Rhode Island General Law (RIGL) 27-18.2-3(g) mandates that those eligible for Medigap plans due to disability or ESRD are entitled to at least Plan A. Every carrier must provide at least Medicare Supplement Plan A to disabled persons that qualify, meaning you always have options.

Still, Medicare Advantage may still be a viable option. Private companies will set the premiums, and for those under 65 years of age, Medicare Supplement plans in RI are often quite expensive, even if they are mandated. Furthermore, Medigap Plan A in RI offers fewer benefits and may not be the best option for your needs.

Even if you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan before you are 65 when you do become of age, you will receive guarantee issue rights and have a chance to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan in RI without facing medical underwriting. To determine which benefits work best for your needs, working with a licensed Medicare agent can help.

Medigap Rating Methods in Rhode Island

There’s a lot that goes into calculating your premium, and this includes Medigap rating methods. The Ocean State uses two of the three available Medicare Supplement rating methods. Here’s how each will affect the amount you pay:

• Issue-age ratings are based on the age you are when your carrier issues your policy. This means when you are younger during enrollment, you’ll pay lower premiums compared to someone who enrolls when they are older.
• Attained-age ratings are based on the age you are at enrollment and will have your premiums increasing as you age each year. Each carrier can choose these Medigap rating methods for their plans. As you can see, this can affect how much you pay. This is why it’s always essential to shop and compare Medicare Supplement plans in RI to ensure you pay the lowest rate for benefits in your area.

Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in Rhode Island

Sometimes circumstances surrounding your healthcare coverage change. In qualifying cases, you can enroll in Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island without facing medical underwriting. Here are the scenarios that qualify in RI as Medigap guaranteed issue protections:

• If you move out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area or if coverage of the plan is being dropped where you live.
• You’ve joined Medicare Advantage for the first time after leaving a Medigap plan in Rhode Island. If it’s been less than a year since your enrollment, you can return to your Medicare Supplement plan in RI because of what is known as a trial right.
• You also receive a trial right if you want to switch to a Medicare Supplement plan in RI after joining a Medicare Advantage plan when you first turned 65, and it’s been less than a year.
• You’ve moved outside of the service area for your Medicare SELECT plan.
• The coverage supplementing Medicare benefits provided by your employer is ending.
• Your Medigap carrier goes bankrupt.
• Your Medigap carrier misled you during enrollment or didn’t follow the other rules in place to protect consumers.

It’s also worth noting that in Rhode Island, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) provided coverage for those enrolled in Medicaid during the Public Health Emergency (PHE). Because the FFCRA is no longer active, nor is the PHE, some beneficiaries with Medicare Part B benefits may face medical underwriting when signing up for Medigap plans in Rhode Island.

Bulletin 2023-2 was issued by the Rhode Island Office of the Health Insurance Commissioner (RIOHIC), providing guaranteed issue rights to those who missed their initial Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Open Enrollment period because of the FFCRA and PHE.

Remember, even if you’ve missed your initial enrollment, you cannot sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan in RI and have Medicaid. Therefore, you’ll also need to provide proof that you are no longer a part of the Medicaid program.

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island

Enrollment for Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island is always best as soon as possible. This means when you are eligible for Original Medicare benefits. Not only will you receive coverage for costly medical expenses, but you’ll also receive benefits with less hassle and at a lower rate.

If you don’t enroll when you are first eligible, you may be subjected to answering medical underwriting questions. You can be denied coverage during this process due to your medical history. Additionally, even if you aren’t denied coverage, you’ll likely pay a higher premium.

Additional Medicare Coverage for Beneficiaries Rhode Island

While Medigap plans in RI are great for many, they aren’t always the best option for everyone. Thankfully, other options exist, including Medicare Advantage plans, which help cover essential healthcare costs.

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) beneficiaries must cover out-of-pocket costs and deal with plan restrictions. Still, the savings on premiums can make such coverage an ideal solution for those looking to cut healthcare costs.

You cannot enroll in both a Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. You’ll need to choose one or the other.

For those looking to cover the costs of prescription drugs, Medicare Part D plans can help residents in Rhode Island save on the cost of their medicine. Each plan covers certain medications, and to be sure that your medicines are eligible, before enrolling, you’ll need to check your plan’s formulary, which lists the drugs covered.

Finally, Original Medicare and Medigap won’t cover dental, vision, and hearing. Fortunately, there are ancillary policies that can provide a more comprehensive approach to your healthcare benefits. For example, Medicare doesn’t cover dental procedures, but you can still enjoy such benefits with a standalone policy.

How to Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan in Rhode Island

Applying to Medigap plans in Rhode Island is simple with the right help. No matter which benefits that best suit your needs, our agents are here to help guide you through the process. Call us today at the number above to find Medicare Supplement plans in RI or press the compare plans button on the page.

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