Best Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire – F, G & N Benefits
Medicare beneficiaries can find themselves faced with costs that the program doesn’t cover. One way to bridge the gaps in health care expenses that aren’t covered by Medicare is to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, which is also known as Medigap. The best Medicare Supplement plans in New Hampshire are standardized policies that are provided by private insurers. Despite being sold by private companies, Medigap plans in New Hampshire meet strict guidelines determined by the state and federal governments.
Best Types of Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire
When you, the Medicare beneficiary, enroll in one of the Medicare Supplement insurance plans in New Hampshire, Original Medicare insurance still pays its approved portion of your medical costs. The Medigap plan then pays its share of the approved costs, which can include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Exactly what Medigap plans in New Hampshire cover depends on the type of policy that you choose.
To maintain your Medigap coverage, you pay the private Medicare insurance company a monthly premium just as you would with any private insurance policy. Your Medigap coverage is guaranteed to be renewable as long as you continue to pay your premiums; the insurance company cannot cancel it on you.
How Many Medicare Supplement Plans are Available in New Hampshire?
Medicare beneficiaries have 10 Medigap plans in New Hampshire to choose from Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. All of these Medicare Supplement insurance plans in New Hampshire cover a standard set of basic benefits, including:
- Most Original Medicare copayments
- Blood
- Certain hospital benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover
Beyond the basic services, each Medigap plan varies slightly in what it covers. However, no matter which private insurer you buy Medigap policies from, you can expect the same benefits for each type of plan because they are standardized. Keep in mind that each insurance company can charge different rates, so always shop around for the best policy.
The most popular Medigap Plan in New Hampshire is Plan F. In 2015, 41,730 residents were enrolled in this plan. Compare that to 223 people enrolled in Plan M. However, the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan in New Hampshire for you depends on your unique situation, budget, and needs.
Additionally, there is something known as Medicare Part D. This is not the same as the Supplemental health plans, and it can — and should — be purchased along with your Supplemental health insurance policy.
These prescription drug plans offer prescription drug coverage. Since Medicare prescription drug coverage is not offered as a part of the Original Medicare benefits or as any of the New Hampshire Medicare Supplement plans, it’s something you’ll need — and wants — to buy separately.
Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan F in New Hampshire:
Of your plan options, Medigap Plan F in New Hampshire is going to be the most comprehensive. It’s also going to come with the highest monthly premiums of the different Medicare plans. This is a more expensive plan because it offers all of these benefits:
- 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
Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan G in New Hampshire:
Other than not covering the Medicare Part B deductible, this Medigap plan G in New Hampshire offers almost everything that Medicare Plan F benefits cover. If you like the coverage of Plan F but are hoping to save a little bit on your monthly premiums, Plan G is a wise choice.
- Does NOT cover Medicare Part B deductible
Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan N in New Hampshire:
Those who want additional coverage and benefits through a company like Aetna but who don’t want the obligation of paying expensive monthly premiums often opt for simpler plans like Medicare Supplement Plan N in New Hampshire:
- 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 New Hampshire: When Can I Enroll?
You can enroll in Medicare Supplement insurance plans during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you have private insurance when you turn 65, your IEP period will automatically begin whenever you enroll in Part B.
You have six months from the start of your IEP to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan. It’s advantageous to enroll during the IEP because you can’t be denied from any plans for preexisting conditions at that time. It can become more challenging, if not impossible, to buy a Medicare Supplement Plan once those six months have passed.
To sum it up: You stand the best chance of getting the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan in New Hampshire for your needs when you enroll as soon as you first become eligible.
If you don’t enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan during your personal Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers can turn you down or charge higher rates based on your health status when you apply for coverage. However, insurers are required to offer you a policy if you meet the requirements for guaranteed issue rights.
Also, during the initial period after you sign up for Medicare, you can look into Medicare Advantage plans, which are also known as Medicare Part C. These sometimes include Part D plans, but they typically have more restrictions than Medicare Supplements. For example, network restrictions are a concern. An insurance agent can talk to you about this option, too, and can help you decide between a Supplement or an Advantage plan.
Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire: Enrollment Statistics
The top five largest counties in New Hampshire in terms of population are:
- Hillsborough County (406,371)
- Rockingham County (302,479)
- Merrimack County (147,958)
- Strafford County (126,552)
- Grafton County (89,280)
The number of New Hampshire residents enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B Medicare was 286,980 in 2018, according to the Centers for Medicaid Services. Across the United States, about 25 percent of people who receive Original Medicare insurance also have a Medicare Supplement plan. Assuming that New Hampshire’s 2015 statistics still hold relatively true for the present, The Granite State exceeds the national average; more than 88,000 residents owning Medicare Supplement insurance plans in New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Medicare Resources
When you’re searching for the best Medicare Supplement plan in New Hampshire, take your time to shop around. It pays to compare Medicare Supplement insurance plans and rates before settling on one from a particular private insurer. Keep in mind that the same Medigap plan, such as Plan F, can have higher rates at one insurer and lower rates at another, yet the benefits are the same since Medicare Supplement insurance plans are standardized by the government.
These plans can make a big difference when it comes to managing your health care costs. Check out the links below to learn more about Medicare Supplement insurance plans in New Hampshire.
- Shop for Medicare Supplement Plan in New Hampshire at medicare.gov, the official U.S. government site for the federal Medicare program
- Learn more about Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Check out the CMS, or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Related Topics for Comparing Medicare Supplement Companies and Plans in NH
My Medigap Plans is a rapidly growing resource for Medicare beneficiaries. We specialize in educating consumers on their options and guiding them through the process of plan selection. We work closely with some of the nations top rated carriers such as Aetna, Cigna and Mutual of Omaha. Compare our list of the 10 Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies in New Hampshire or take a deeper look at the plans by reviewing our Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart. Learn more or about Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans, or request a Medicare Supplement Plan Quote.