Any North Carolina resident who will soon be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B should take a moment to compare the best Medicare Supplement insurance plans in North Carolina. Medigap policies can offer Medicare beneficiaries the security of access to a variety of doctors and the ability to control medical costs. Take a minute to learn some facts about Medigap plans in North Carolina, when to enroll, and which coverage levels are available.
What are the Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina?
1. Best for full coverage: Plan F
Plan F has been the most popular of the Medicare Supplement insurance plans in North Carolina. It offers the broadest coverage to help with Original Medicare’s copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. It also comes with the highest premiums. However, Plan F is now only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
2.Best comprehensive coverage: Plan G
For those who became eligible for Medicare after Jan. 1, 2020, Plan G offers the most similar, comprehensive coverage. Medicare Supplement insurance Plan G helps pay for copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
3. Best value: Plan N
With Medicare Plan N, you pay lower premiums but incur more out-of-pocket expenses. Plan N is similar to Plan G but requires a $20 copay for doctor’s appointments and up to $50 for emergency room visits. The ER fee is waived if doctors admit the patient.
4. Best deductible plan: High Deductible Plan F
Plan F offers the most comprehensive coverage of all Medigap plans sold by private insurance companies. Under the high deductible plan, Medicare will pay its share, then you will pay out-of-pocket expenses up to your deducible amount.
Effective January 1, 2021, the annual deductible for the high deductible Plan F is $2,370. Once you reach this amount, this plan works like regular Plan F and will cover 100 percent of your share on all Plans A and B services. The high deductible version of Plan F is only available to those enrolled in Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020.
5. Best for lowest premiums: High Deductible Plan G
Get the benefits of Plan G, but by paying a high deductible, you will have lower monthly premiums.
Unlike Plan F, Plan G doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible. You will have to reach a high deductible of $2,370 in 2021 before the plan pays your Medicare out-of-pocket costs.
What is the Best Supplemental Insurance to go with Medicare?
1. What is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in North Carolina for 2021?
Plan F is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in North Carolina in 2021. However, the federal government has set a cutoff date for beneficiaries. It is only offered to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
After that date, the most similar option is Plan G. The difference is that Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. You can still use any doctor in the United States who accepts Original Medicare.
2. Which plan has the best benefits?
Plan F offers the best benefits. These include:
- 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
Plan G is the most comprehensive health insurance plan available to those new to Medicare after Jan. 1, 2020. You will have to pay the Medicare Part B deductible, but, like Plan F, you will also have:
Low out-of-pocket costs
Freedom to go to any doctor, hospital or facility that takes Original Medicare
Flexibility for medical care when you travel
Ability to change doctors anytime
Referrals are not necessary.
3. How do I choose the best plan?
To find the best plan for you, your insurance agent will help you balance benefits and costs. One of our Policy Guide agents will be glad to help you sort through your budget, health history and healthcare needs.
4. Which insurance company offers the best rates?
Demographic info plays a key role in setting rates for Medicare Supplement plans. Our Policy Guides can provide an exact quote based on your info in a few short minutes
What is the Average Cost for a Medicare Supplement Plan in North Carolina for 2021?
The cost of Medigap monthly premiums is based on a few factors:
Community-rated – Monthly premiums are the same for everyone who has the Medigap policy, regardless of age. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors.
Issue age – The premium is based on your age when you buy the Medigap policy.
Attained age – The premium is based on your current age and your premium goes up as you get older or due to inflation or other factors.
For the 27604 zip code in Raleigh, North Carolina, here are the averages for a 65-year-old, nonsmoking female:
Plan F: $160.72 (range $122.03 to $225.60)
Plan G: $121.78 (range $86.46 to $210.48)
Plan N: $104.46 (range $76.22 to $150.26)
Average: $128.98
Common North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan Questions
What Companies Sell Medigap Plans in North Carolina?
You have many options when selecting a private insurance company for your Medigap plans in North Carolina. The following three companies are the most popular in your service area.
1. Cigna
In 2021, Cigna received a five-star rating from Medicare, which is the highest star rating possible. Cigna makes it easy to find Medicare coverage that’s right for you with flexible coverage options and more.
2. Aetna
In 2021, Aetna has an overall weighted average of 4.0 out of 5.0 stars. Aetna offers a wide range of options in their Medigap plans so you can find the right fit for the coverage you prefer.
3. Mutual of Omaha
In 2021, Mutual of Omaha received 2.5 stars out of a 5-star rating. Mutual was one of the very first companies to offer Medicare supplement plans after Medicare began in 1965.
When Can I Apply for a North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan?
The short answer is that you can apply for a North Carolina Medicare Supplement plan during your six-month Medigap open enrollment period. This one-time period automatically starts the month you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems.
After this enrollment period, you can buy a Medigap policy, but it may be more expensive because insurers can take your health condition, including preexisting conditions, into consideration when underwriting.
The Medigap open enrollment period is not the same as the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period. Those are two separate timelines and products. The U.S. government has set Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 as the open enrollment period when you can freely change your Medicare Advantage plan. You can also change Medicare Part D, which offers prescription drug coverage.
Please speak to your insurance agent to clarify deadlines and enrollment periods.
Which is better, Medigap Plan G or Plan N?
Your health and financial situation will play a role in whether Plan G or Plan N is a better fit. The plans are very similar, but Plan G is slightly more comprehensive, which is generally more expensive.
Same coverage:
- Part A deductible
- Part A coinsurance
- Skilled nursing facilitycoinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency
- Hospital costs
- First three pints of blood
Differences:
- Plan N has copayments ($20 for office visits, $50 for ER visits). Plan G pays all Part B coinsurance.
- Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges. Plan G does. However, if your health care provider participates in Medicare, he or she cannot bill you for excess charges
What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?"
Medicare Supplement plans in North Carolina provide coverage and financial benefits for those enrolled in the federal Medicare program.
Medicare covers basic healthcare needs of those eligible – primarily people 65 years and older. Original Medicare consists of Parts A and Part B.
Part A is referred to generally as hospital coverage, including inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care and hospice care. Part B centers on coverage for medical appointments, screenings, lab work and medically necessary supplies, for example.
Medicare Supplement plans in North Carolina, also known as Medigap, enhance coverage by increasing services and reducing out-of-pocket costs. While the federal government provides Medicare, private insurers, like My Medigap Plans, sell Medicare Supplemental plans.
Is Plan G the Best Medigap Plan in North Carolina?
How Much Does it Cost?
The average cost for Plan G for a 65-year-old, nonsmoking female is $121.78 in the Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604 zip code
What is the Plan G Deductible in 2021?
Plan G doesn’t have a deductible, but you will have to pay the Part B deductible, which is $203 in 2021.
What does Medigap Plan G Cover in North Carolina?
Related Topics
Ready To Learn More?
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 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.
North Carolina Medicare Resources
- In North Carolina, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most popular plan for 2021.
- There are 10 Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina to choose from.
- Medicare Supplement plans do not use a network, go wherever Original Medicare is excepted.