Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho – F, G & N Benefits

The best Medicare Supplement insurance plans in Idaho allow you to see any medical professional throughout the United States who accepts Medicare as payment. Your Original Medicare insurance is charged first, and then your out-of-pocket expenses are covered by your Medigap plan. You don’t have to pay copayments, deductibles or coinsurance because those are the “gaps” that Medigap policies are designed to cover.

You can sign up for Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho once you turn 65. That assumes that you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, which is a requirement for all Medigap applicants in Idaho. In order to select the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan in Idaho, you need to understand how the Medigap system works.

Best Types of Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho

There are 11 Medicare Supplement plans offered in Idaho. One of those plans is a high-deductible option that appeals to Medigap beneficiaries who want to minimize premiums while potentially paying more out-of-pocket expenses. Each of the Medigap plans in Idaho are standardized by the federal government. Make sure that your chosen plan is offered by an authorized Medicare insurance company and offers all benefits guaranteed for the plan type.

For example, Medigap Plan A will come with the same benefits regardless of which insurance company you select. Rates will vary between insurance carriers, but your terms of coverage should remain consistent.

Selecting the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan in Idaho requires the use of an online rates comparison tool. In just minutes, you can determine which Medicare Supplement plans are offered by each insurance company. Most insurance companies will only offer select plans, so you won’t have all 11 plan options available at the time of enrollment.

The first step is to compare the coverage offered to each beneficiary under the available Medicare Supplement insurance plans in Idaho. You can then compare rates between insurance companies to determine your premiums for the best plans. Use your healthcare needs and your budget to choose between the Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho.

Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan F in Idaho:

If you’d like to make the most out of the federal Medicare program and would like to keep your out of pocket costs predictable, then you might find that Medigap Plan F in Idaho is the right choice.

Part A hospital coinsurance
Hospital costs up to 365 days after benefits through Original Medicare are exhausted
Part A hospice care copays or coinsurance
Part A deductible
Part B deductible
Part B preventive office visit coinsurance
Part B coinsurance or copays
Excess charges for Medicare Part B
First three pints of blood needed for a medical procedure
Coinsurance for care in a skilled nursing facility
Limited foreign travel emergency care

One thing that makes shopping for a plan easy is that Plan F is the same from any insurance company that you buy it from. This is actually true for all of the Medicare Supplement plans. This means that you don’t have to spend tons of time comparing Medicare Supplement plans in Idaho between different companies. Instead, choose the plan that is right for you, then shop for the best monthly premium among the different insurance companies!

Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan G in Idaho:

For comprehensive plan benefits that cover almost everything that Plan F covers at a lower rate, consider Medigap Plan G in Idaho.

Does NOT cover Medicare Part B deductible

Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan N in Idaho:

If you don’t have to go to the doctor very often or if you don’t mind paying for some of your healthcare costs out of pocket, you might prefer less comprehensive benefits yet more affordable plan like Medigap Plan N in Idaho.

Does NOT cover Part B Deductible
Does NOT cover Excess Charges for Part B
Requires $20 copay for office visits
Requires $50 copay for emergency room visits

Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho: When Can I Enroll?

There are two basic qualifications for seniors ready to enroll in Medicare Supplement insurance plans in Idaho:

You’ve reached the first day of the month in which you will turn 65.
You’ve enrolled in Original Medicare Insurance, Part A and Part B.

Once you meet those qualifications, your Idaho Medigap Initial Enrollment Period will open. This period lasts for six months. You have two Guaranteed Issue Rights that apply during this period:

Insurance companies cannot deny you coverage under any of the Medigap plans in Idaho. You determine the best Medicare Supplement plan in Idaho for your needs and apply with confidence.
The insurance company cannot legally ask questions about your medical history. Your diagnosed medical conditions or risks for future medical complications cannot increase your rates.

You will receive the best rates for all Medigap plans when you enroll during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. If you miss the initial period, check the qualifications for special enrollment. During your special enrollment period, you will benefit from the Guaranteed Issue Rights that are extended during the initial period.

In Idaho, special enrollment periods are issued if you lose coverage through an employer group health plan. You may also qualify if you lose Medicare Advantage or Medigap coverage because the insurance company was fraudulent or went out of business. Moving out of your plan’s covered area may also earn you special enrollment.

You do have the option to enroll in Medigap at any time after you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B. If your application is filed outside of initial enrollment or a special enrollment period, the insurance company can consider your medical history when determining your rates. They can also decline your application for Medicare Supplement insurance plans in Idaho.

Along with looking for a Medicare Supplement, you’ll also need to look into prescription drug plans through Medicare Part D. Medicare prescription drug plans from an insurance agency will give you the prescription drug coverage that you need. If you sign up right after signing up for Medicare Part A and Part B, you can avoid being penalized for not having this coverage.

If you’ve been awarded Medicare prior to age 65 due to a disability, you also have Guaranteed Rights. It’s usually best to speak with a Medicare Specialists to fully understand your options based on your specific needs and circumstances.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Idaho: Enrollment Statistics

The five largest counties in Idaho are Ada County, Canyon County, Kootenai County, Bonneville County and Bannock County.
In 2018, more than 200,000 Idaho residents signed up for Original Medicare insurance. Approximately half of those beneficiaries also enrolled in Medicare Supplement plans or Medicare Advantage.
In 2018, just over 74,000 beneficiaries signed up for Medicare Supplement insurance plans in Idaho. That reflects an increase from under 68,000 Idaho Medigap beneficiaries in 2015.

Idaho Medicare Resources

2018 Idaho Shopper’s Guide – Get more details about comparing and selecting Medigap plans in Idaho.
www.medicare.gov – The U.S. government website about Medicare coverage and Medicare benefits
The Idaho Department of Insurance – A great state resource for Medicare beneficiaries

The websites above can help Boise residents and other residents of Idaho find out more about Medicare. If you’d like more information about health insurance options, such as Idaho Medicare Supplement plans or Medicare Advantage plans (such as an HMO or PPO), we can help you out. Give us a call today and speak to one of our licensed insurance agents, and we’ll help you reduce health care costs and find affordable monthly premiums.