The Ocean State might be small, but it is still the home of more than 160,000 Medicare beneficiaries who must consider Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island. Even though senior citizens and disabled people rely upon this large government program to help them pay medical bills, they know that relying 100 percent on Part A and Part B of Original Medicare could mean substantial medical bills because of deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance. That is why a vast majority of beneficiaries also get some other kind of coverage. For those without employer health insurance or another public health insurance plan, the choice is between MA plans and Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island.
Why Choose a Medicare Supplement Plan in Rhode Island?
MA plans are attractive to many senior citizens because some options provide additional benefits, such as drug coverage, and may even have no monthly premiums. Still, many of these policies also come with substantial copayments. Also, benefits tend to vary from year to year, so they can be unpredictable. In some cases, paying for a Medicare Supplement plan in Rhode Island might actually be a more economical choice because of the more robust and predictable benefits.
Consider the case of Daniel, a widower who lives in Woonsocket. He suffers from diabetes and glaucoma, so he visits a specialist in East Providence, RI four times for treatment and checkups. This specialist is considered one of the best in the state, but his office charges more than Medicare’s limits and does not belong to any MA PPOs or HMOs.
Since Daniel selected a Medicare Supplement plan that covers excess charges and does not rely upon a provider network, he can get the care from the doctor that he chooses without worrying about networks or doctor’s bills. In the end, paying for a Medigap plan helps Daniel save money and gives him the freedom to choose his medical providers on his own.
Rates on Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island
Medigap plans in Rhode Island adhere to the standard levels laid out by CMS, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. These levels are named with letters from A to N, and each of them represents a somewhat different set of benefits. For example, plan A is thought of as a basic plan. Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan F are on the other end of the spectrum because they provide extensive benefits. Insurers have to offer Plan A and either Plan F or C in an area that they offer any Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island.
Consider some example Medicare Supplement plan premiums in Rhode Island. These are for a Providence resident who is female, 65, and doesn’t smoke:
- High deductible plan F: $57.14
- Medigap Plan A: $116.83
- Plan C: $146.11
- Medicare Plan N: $115.00
- Medicare Supplement Plan F: $149.05
Note: These are only sample rates, and they could vary by applicant. These prices were pulled from these top providers of Medicare Supplement plans in Rhode Island:
Best Rates on Medicare Supplement Plans in Rhode Island
The most important thing to remember is that each Medigap plan level has to provide the same benefits. No matter which company markets it, plan A is always plan A. However, each Medicare insurance company in Rhode Island is free to set its own prices. That is why it is critical to shop around. Prices can vary a lot. Also, be sure the look into Medicare Supplement Plan G as it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular choices.
It isn’t possible to say which insurer is the right choice for everybody. That is because insurers also offer different Medicare Supplement plan levels and could set different prices in various cities. Both prices and Medigap plan options could be very different in Warwick, RI, Cranston, RI or Pawtucket, RI than they are in Providence, RI.
However, you can use our fast online form to request quotes on Medicare Supplement plans in any Rhode Island town or city. All you have to do is enter your zip code in the quote box to get started. If you have a question or would like immediate answers, give us a call today.