Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia

Summary: Medicare Supplement plans in WV cover expenses Original Medicare benefits leave behind. With the many different coverage options available, enrolling in a Medigap plan in WV is a great way to cover your healthcare costs. It’s also essential to shop among carriers as premiums will vary. Estimated Read Time: 15 mins

Table of Contents:

• Best Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia
• Who Is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia?
• How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia Cost?
• Companies Offering Medigap Plans in West Virginia
• Medigap Plans for Disabled Under 65 in West Virginia
• Medigap Rating Method in West Virginia
• Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Protections in West Virginia
• When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia
• Resources for Medicare Help in West Virginia
• Do West Virginia Medigap Plans Have Networks?
• Can Medigap Reject You in West Virginia?
• Additional Medicare Coverages in West Virginia

Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia (WV) help many beneficiaries with out-of-pocket medical costs. Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover 100% of your costs. So, Medicare Supplement plans in WV (Medigap) help deliver peace of mind knowing that your coverage picks up the gap otherwise left behind.

Beneficiaries must understand their options in order to choose the right benefits for their healthcare needs. There are many options when it comes to Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia. However, it is essential to review Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as well to ensure you enroll in the right coverage to meet your needs.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia

The best Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia will depend on your budget and healthcare needs. In total, there are 12 Medicare Supplement plans in WV, and it’s essential to decipher the right plan for you before enrolling in coverage.

Because Medigap plans in West Virginia are standardized by the federal government, meaning that the benefits for each are the same across carriers, you’ll enjoy the same level of benefits no matter who you sign up with. However, costs will vary from carrier to carrier, so it’s important to compare each West Virginia Medicare Supplement carrier.

Overall, there is no singular “best” Medicare Supplement plan. You’ll need to consider the healthcare benefits you require and shop among various brands to enjoy the best coverage for your specific needs. But three plans continue to be the most popular within the Mountain State:

• Medicare Supplement Plan F in West Virginia
• Medicare Supplement Plan G in West Virginia
• Medicare Supplement Plan N in West Virginia

Learn more about the top three Medicare Supplement plans in WV below, including their benefits, enrollment restrictions, and more:

Medicare Supplement Plan F in West Virginia

Medicare Supplement Plan F in West Virginia is a great option for beneficiaries offering a wide range of benefits and covering the gap Original Medicare can leave behind. This includes covering the complete cost of Original Medicare coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles.

If you have Medicare Part A and Part B alone, you are responsible for covering 20% of Medicare-covered inpatient services out-of-pocket. However, by enrolling in Medigap Plan F in West Virginia, you’re fully covered for these costs.

Keep in mind Medicare Supplement Plan F West Virginia is only available for those eligible for Original Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. If you receive Medicare after this date, you will need to enroll in a different plan, as Medicare Supplement Plan F West Virginia will not be available to you.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in West Virginia

Beneficiaries looking for a replacement for Plan F often turn to Medicare Supplement Plan G in West Virginia. Plan G covers the exact same benefits as Plan F minus the Medicare Part B deductible. Thus, many beneficiaries enroll in this plan as a comparable alternative and often receive a lower monthly premium.

In many cases, Medigap Plan G in West Virginia offers coverage that is the right option for enrollees, as the amount saved from premiums each year is more than the total deductible of the plan.

The benefits you receive from Medicare Supplement Plan G West Virginia include coverage for preventative care, emergency healthcare services, and chronic conditions. Your plan also covers up to 80% of foreign travel emergency care costs, making it a great option for beneficiaries that travel often or require additional medical care.

Medicare Supplement Plan N in West Virginia

Medicare Supplement Plan N in West Virginia is a great option for seniors in need of comprehensive healthcare benefits in West Virginia on a budget. This plan offers the lowest premiums of the most popular plans, but it’s important to remember that it also comes with the lowest level of coverage. This means seniors will need to pay for things such as copays when visiting a doctor or hospital.

When enrolled in Plan N, you may also pay for any excess charges that come about when seeing a doctor that doesn’t accept Medicare assignment. Again, the healthcare needs of each senior will vary, and this means the right plan will also vary for each enrollee. With that being said, Medicare Supplement Plan N West Virginia is a great option for those looking to cut monthly premium costs.

If you are a senior looking for more benefits, Medicare Supplement Plan G West Virginia – or Plan F, for those who qualify – can be a more attractive option. To learn more about which plan is best for you, it’s always advised to speak with a licensed Medicare agent to analyze your coverage needs and select the best benefits for your healthcare.

Who Is Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia?

Anyone eligible for Original Medicare benefits (Medicare Part A and Part B) can enroll in Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia. For the majority of residents, this will mean enrolling at age 65. This time is known as your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period and lasts six months once you are enrolled in Part B benefits.

Alternatively, you may also become eligible for Medicare benefits if you are disabled, have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), suffer from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits for two years.

If you are disabled and enroll in a West Virginia Medicare Supplement plan before you are 65 years of age, you will receive a second Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65 years old.

How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia Cost?

Inexpensive Medicare Supplement plans in WV are easier to come by than you might think. There are plenty of factors that affect your premiums, including age, gender, smoking status, location, and more. By comparing coverages, you can gain a better understanding of what to expect your monthly premiums to be for the protection you desire.

Men will generally pay higher rates than women, and if you smoke, you’ll also have higher costs for your benefits. Our cost comparison chart for Medigap plans in WV helps seniors better understand the averages within the state. To determine these averages, our methodology uses a 65-year-old male and female compared to a 75-year-old male and female in the same West Virginia ZIP Code:

*If on Medicare before 01/01/2020

In most cases, the older you enroll, the more expensive your coverage will be. Thus, seniors in West Virginia should take advantage of their Medigap Open Enrollment Period and enroll early. Comparing your options is also an important step to reiterate. As you can see, the premium you’ll pay for Medicare Supplement plans in WV can vary greatly among different carriers.

Companies Offering Medigap Plans in West Virginia

Finding the right Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia for your needs will vary with the individual. Here are some of the most prominent brands offering benefits for West Virginians:

It’s important to note that there are several other carriers offering Medicare Supplement plans in WV. At MedicareFAQ, we’ve partnered with several top-rated options and can help you compare your options to identify which plan and carrier works for your needs.

Medigap Plans for Disabled Under 65 in West Virginia

A small number of carriers in WV offer Medigap plans to disabled individuals under 65. However, premium costs are often higher than if you enrolled in coverage past age 65. If you obtain Medicare due to a disability ALS, or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and are under 65, a Medicare Advantage plan could be the right option for you, as the cost of Medigap in WV under 65 is typically high.

Once you turn 65 years old, you’ll receive another Medigap Open Enrollment Period in which you’ll also have guaranteed issue rights. During this time, you can sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan in WV without being denied. Therefore, you can enjoy coverage from a Medicare Advantage plan until switching when you turn 65. By speaking with a licensed Medicare agent, you can better understand your options, compare coverages, and stay better protected for less.

Medigap Rating Method in West Virginia

As you can see above, the Mountain State has plenty of discrepancies regarding the average premiums Medicare beneficiaries pay. This is due to a number of previously mentioned factors, but the Medigap rating method applied to your plan will also affect how much you pay.

There are three different types of Medicare Supplement rating methods available to companies in West Virginia. Here’s how they affect your premiums:

• The attained-age rating method uses your current age to determine your premium. This means that you’re going to pay more the older you get. Expect increases as you age.
• Issue-age rating methods will base the premium you pay on the age you are at the time of enrollment. The earlier you enroll, the less you’ll pay, and it’s a great example of why everyone should enroll as soon as they are eligible.
• Community-rated Medigap plans charge everyone the same without regard to age or gender. However, you can still expect rate increases as you age. This is because inflation will still be a factor, and rising healthcare costs will typically elevate your premiums over time.

Remember, the benefits of each lettered plan are the same regardless of the carrier you enroll with, but pricing will vary. Therefore, it’s always recommended that you shop and compare Medicare Supplement plans in WV to find the lowest premium in your area.

Medicare Supplement Guaranteed Issue Protections in West Virginia

Signing up for coverage outside of your Medicare Open Enrollment Period comes with its own challenges. At the heart of the matter is the fact that you can be denied coverage or pay a higher premium because of medical underwriting. However, qualifying life events provide you with guaranteed issue protections, also known as guaranteed issue rights.

When you enroll in the benefits provided by Medicare supplement West Virginia companies during one of the following scenarios, you’ll be granted guaranteed issue protections and cannot be denied coverage. Learn more about these specific events below:

Scenario 1:

If you enroll in Medicare Advantage but move out of the area your plan services or your plan is leaving Medicare, you receive a guaranteed issue protection for West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L if you switch to Original Medicare rather than another Medicare Advantage plan. It’s important to note that you cannot have both a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan in WV at the same time.

Scenario 2:

Another guaranteed issue right is available if you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B while also enrolled in a group health plan from your employer. This includes coverage from COBRA, as a retiree, or union benefits that pay after your Medicare benefits cover your healthcare.

Depending on your situation, even more rights may be available under state law and if you have COBRA, you can either enroll in supplemental coverage immediately or after your COBRA benefits end. In this scenario, you can enroll in West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L.

Scenario 3:

If you move out of the area of service for your Medicare SELECT plan, you can enroll in West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L. You can also enroll in these plans if moving outside of the Mountain State.

Scenario 4:

If you receive benefits from Medicare Advantage or Program of All‑inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), you can receive a trial right if you want to switch to Original Medicare benefits. This is available only within the first year of enrolling when you turn 65 years of age and are first eligible for Medicare Part A benefits. In this scenario, you can enroll in West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L.

Scenario 5:

Another trial right is available if you drop a Medicare Supplement plan in West Virginia and switch to a Medicare Advantage or Medicare SELECT plan. You can switch back to enroll in the same Medigap plan in West Virginia you previously had with the same carrier so long as this is your first time doing so and you’ve been enrolled in your coverage for under a year. However, if your old plan isn’t available anymore, you can enroll in West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L through whichever company offers them in the state you reside.

Scenario 6:

There are times when you may lose supplemental coverage for reasons outside of your control. It’s also possible that the Medicare Supplement company in West Virginia providing you with coverage may go bankrupt. In any case, you’ll receive guaranteed issue rights for West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L.

Scenario 7:

When companies don’t follow the rules in place to protect consumers or mislead beneficiaries, those affected can leave their Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plan in WV. Should you face this situation, you’ll receive guaranteed issue rights for West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans A, B, C*, D*, F*, G*, K, or L.

*Please note that if you become eligible for Medicare benefits on or after January 1, 2020, you are not eligible for West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans C and F. Therefore, your guaranteed issue rights will apply to West Virginia Medicare Supplement Plans D and G.

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia

You can buy Medigap plans in West Virginia anytime if you have Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. However, to avoid Medicare Supplement underwriting questions, sign up during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period. For most, this means enrolling at the age of 65.

Do West Virginia Medigap Plans Have Networks?

No, Medigap plans in West Virginia do not have networks, just as in any state. To help manage costs, make sure your providers accept Medicare assignment. Technically, the exception to this would be a Medicare SELECT plan which does operate within a network and is supplemental coverage.

Can Medigap Reject You in West Virginia?

Yes, if you go through underwriting, Medicare Supplement West Virginia carriers can deny coverage if you have health issues. Although, this only applies when you’re not in a Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment or guaranteed-issue period. Your best course of action is to enroll in a Medigap plan in West Virginia as soon as you are eligible to do so.

Additional Medicare Coverages in West Virginia

Medicare Advantage plans are available throughout West Virginia. The plans available will depend on your county. Medicare Advantage plans differ from Medigap plans in several ways, and you cannot have both a Medigap and Advantage plan simultaneously. Medicare Advantage plans also involve networks, as they are usually PPOs and HMOs. But they may also come with extra benefits.

Additionally, beneficiaries needing coverage for prescription drugs can also turn to Medicare Part D benefits. Please note if you delay enrolling in this coverage, you could incur a penalty for the life of your policy. Be sure to check the plan’s formulary before enrolling to ensure that it covers medications you take regularly.

Beneficiaries with lower incomes could benefit from the Medicare Savings Program. If you don’t qualify for the Medicare Savings Plan, you could still apply for Extra Help paying for Part D.

How to Apply for Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia

Applying for Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. That's why we're here to help you find the right plan for you!

Our agents are licensed experts on all things Medicare and can help you find the best coverage for your healthcare needs. Give us a call at the number above for a rate comparison.

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