What is Plan G Medicare Supplement
The Medicare Supplement Plan G is also referred to as Medigap Plan G and Medicare Part G. It is Medicare a supplemental policy that has over the years become increasingly common since it was introduced. Many experts believe that its popularity can be owed to the phasing out of the popular Medigap Plan F. Many people who would have opted for Plan F have now decided to go with Medicare Plan G coverage. What is Medicare Plan G?
You can compare rates for all the top Medicare providers in your area or call us anytime 844-528-8688 and we would be happy to explain the benefits of a Medigap plan G. Continue reading to find out how a Medicare Plan G will work for you.
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Overview of Medigap Plans
Initially, there were 10 standardized Medicare supplement policies according to Medicare and Medicaid Services, i.e., A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, designed to reduce the cost under Original Medicare, both part A and B.
The problem with Medicare is that it does not pay 100%, which leaves gaps or holes that these policies are meant to fill.
Anyone who has a Medigap policy can visit any facility, doctor, or hospital that will accept Medicare in the US and its territories like the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The health care providers also need to be enrolled in the Medicare program so that they can accept new Medicare patients.
Fortunately, the vast majority of doctors and medical facilities in the US accept Original Medicare. Six of the plans also cover emergencies during foreign travel, up to $50,000-lifetime limited coverage, after the initial $250 deductible for the initial two months of travel.
What is a Medicare Supplement Plan G?
The most important thing to know is that Medicare Part G covers everything covered in Part A and B at 100% except for the deductible associated with Part B. The costs of premiums may vary depending on where you’re located in the US. In many states, the costs will also vary based on the person’s gender and whether they vape or smoke.
Anyone who qualifies for Original Medicare can enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G.
What Does Plan G Cover?
Plan F is generally considered to be a top-of-the-line Medigap policy. The plan covers 100% of all the gaps in Medicare. Compared to F, Plan G covers slightly less, which makes it just as good, with the exception being that it does not cover Part B deductible, which in 2023 is $226.00.
Despite having to pay the Part B deductible, many enrollees find that part G is much more cost-effective than F, especially considering their premiums.
Similar to Plan F, Plan G Medicare also covers so-called Part B excess charges. Excess charges are when doctors and medical facilities that don’t accept the full Medicare-approved amount as payment can charge you 15% over the Medicare-approved amount for the services. With Medicare Part G, this is covered.
While most doctors will accept the Medicare-approved payment (assignment) and will not bill you anything extra. In some states, starting the excess charges is illegal. The states include Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, Pennsylvania, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cost?
The premium you end up having to pay for the Medigap supplement Plan G will vary mainly depending on where you live, if you smoke or vape, gender, etc. Ideally, you want to be healthy with no history of smoking or vaping to enjoy the lowest possible premium.
Plan G in 2023 costs $99 a month at the low end, with the highest premium amounts at slightly over $500. The figures have been sourced from the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Comparing the Highest and Lowest monthly premiums for Plan G in leading US Metros:
Female:
• The lowest-paid $99 a month was in Dallas Texas
• The highest premium was $476 per month in New York, NY
Male:
• Highest paid was $509 a month in Philadelphia, PA
• Lowest paid $109 per month
View Plan G Quotes-
View Plan G Quotes-
How To Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G?
There are two ways to enroll for Medicare Supplement Plan G. The first way we go into is easy but requires that you be mindful of when enrollment opens for you.
When Enrolment Opens
The easiest and best time to enroll in Medicare supplement plan G is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. The period usually starts when you are 65 years old, and Part B Medicare is effective.
At this point, Medicare enrollees who are 65 and older can buy the Medigap plan at any time, but after the enrollment period, they are subject to screening and medical underwriting. However, there are a couple of advantages associated with buying a Medigap during the open enrollment period. One of the other benefits is that healthy adults will pay the same for their Plan G from the same insurance company.
Anyone under the age of 65 and currently has Medicare can apply for Medicare Supplement Plan, mainly based on where they are permanently located. There are some states that require Medigap insurance companies to sell their Medigap plans to enrollees who are under 65 years of age and on Social Security disability. Every state has its own set of rules and regulations regarding health screening, Open Enrollment for those enrollees under 65, and premium rates.
In some states, there are other enrollment periods, such as the birthday rule or anniversary rule. In most of these periods, you can switch to the same or lesser plan.
After Open Enrollment Closes
You can realistically change Medicare supplement plans anytime you wish but in many states, if you sign up and are outside the OEP, the insurer will subject you to medical underwriting. In most cases, that will mean that you pay a much higher premium if you have a pre-existing health condition. In some instances, the person’s application may also be declined if the insurer feels that they are a high-risk client.
It is only in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, that health insurance companies will offer Medigap policies to folks who are eligible regardless of their pre-existing health condition.
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Switching To Medicare Supplement Plan G from Medicare Advantage
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch over to a Medigap Plan G policy, the question many people ask is, when is it possible? You can switch to Original Medicare during the Annual Election Period starting from October 15 and which lasts through to December 7.
There is also an Open Enrollment Period which starts on January 1st and runs till March 31st, only for people that currently have a Medicare Advantage plan.
The majority of states don’t have a guaranteed issue right, when switching which means that applicants may face underwriting and the prospect of paying expensive premiums. However, some states will allow it. The best way to know what you’re getting into is to talk with an independent Medicare supplement agent like Medicare solutions team 844-528-8688.
Why Choose Medicare Plan G?
Now for many, Plan G is the best Medigap option for those who are newly eligible to receive Medicare aka new to Medicare.
Mainly depending on where you live in the country, you can end up paying anywhere from $99 a month to $509 a month in the way of premiums, which amounts to between $1108 to $6108 a year.
Many people should consider Plan G because it covers all the out-of-pocket costs for treatment and other medical services at a skilled nursing facility once the $198 Medicare Part B deductible is paid. That means you don’t have to bother with co-pays or coinsurance.
If you see that this level of coverage isn’t needed, you can opt for a plan with less coverage. That said, for older people, it is always good to be over-covered than under-covered if you can afford it. Plan G ensures that you don’t end up with an unexpected medical bill.
Plan G covers
• Hospice Copayments /Coinsurance
• Part A Deductible
• Part B excess charge
• Foreign travel in an emergency
Supplement Plan G – Rate Increases
It is important to highlight that many factors will impact the increase in rates. Some of the factors include the age at which you enroll and the current method being used. On average, you can expect that Medicare Supplement Plan G rates will increase from anywhere between 2% to 6%.
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We advise that you give us a call at 844-528-8688 to discuss exactly what rate increase can be expected based on the carrier’s history. Also, make sure to check out carrier reviews before determining if they are a good fit for you. After all, you never want to choose a Medigap insurance policy from a company that continues to raise the rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you think a Medicare supplement plan G might be the one for you? Are you comparing plans to find the best to fit your needs? Do you need more information on those Foreign emergencies and Part B Deductible benefits? Let us help answer these questions and more. Call us today at 844-528-8688 or get in touch through our contact form.
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What is Medicare plan G?
Medicare Plan G is one of 10 standardized Medicare supplement policies. It fills most of the coverage gaps found in Medicare. For this reason, many seniors choose to enroll in Plan G to provide them with financial support while they are on Medicare. However, Plan G won’t cover the Part B deductible.
Are all Medigap Plan G the same?
Since the 10 Medigap Plans that are sold in 47 states are standardized (they are the same among each company) Medigap Plan G offered by Company ABC is always the same as Medigap Plan G offered by Company XYZ. With that said, the prices charged by each insurance company will vary.
Can you switch from Medicare G Plans to an F Plan?
Since the only difference in coverage between Medigap Plan F and Plan G is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible ($226 for 2023), you may want to consider changing to Medigap Plan G because of the lower monthly premiums. Unless you make the change during your initial open enrollment or qualify for the special open enrollment, you will have to medically qualify for the best rates.
Does Plan F cost more than plan G?
Since Medigap Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible for beneficiaries eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, it is more expensive than Medigap Plan G. In fact, the premium savings in Plan G could be greater than the Medicare Part B deductible ($226) so you may want to consider Plan G rather than Plan F. Remember, only applicants who became eligible for Original Medicare before January 1, 2020, can purchase or renew Medigap plan G.
Does Plan G cover prescriptions?
Since Medicare Supplement plans only cover the gaps in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, Plan G does not provide coverage for prescription drugs because that coverage is provided by Medicare Part D. If you need prescription drug coverage, you can purchase a Medicare Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan that covers prescription drugs.
Does Medicare Part G cover vision?
Since Medicare Supplement Plan G only covers the benefits provided by Original Medicare Parts A and B, there is no coverage for vision services. If you prefer to have this coverage, you can purchase stand-alone vision insurance or a Medicare Advantage Plan which does offer coverage for vision services.
Does Plan G pay Medicare deductible?
Medigap Plan G does cover the Medicare Part A deductible but not the Part D deductible. CMS implemented a rule that no Medicare Supplement Plan offered after January 1, 2020, can include coverage for the Medicare Part B deductible ($233 in 2022).
To get the details on all the other comprehensive medicare supplement plans, see our Medicare Supplement Comparison article. For lower prices and benefits that are close to the Medicare supplement plan g, you might want to consider the Medicare supplement plan N.
Is Medicare Supplement plan G guaranteed issue?
Medicare Supplement plan G is guaranteed issue only during the 6-month period that begins the first day of the month you will turn 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B however, some states have additional enrollment periods that are guaranteed issue. Be sure and confirm the rules in your state.
Is Plan G worth the money?
The worth of Medigap Plan G depends on why you might purchase or have already purchased the plan. If you are looking to reduce the out-of-pocket healthcare expenses because of the coverage gaps in Medicare Part A and Part B, then Plan G will absolutely be worth the cost of the plan.
What is the monthly premium for plan G?
Your monthly premium for Medigap Plan G will depend on your geographic area and which rating method the insurer uses. There are also other factors that might impact your cost for coverage however, the average premium for Medigap Plan G is $143.46 per month. Remember, you must also keep paying your Medicare Part B premium as well.
What plan G does not cover?
Although Medigap Plan G will pay 100% of the Medicare Part A and Part B gaps in coverage, it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible (only Plan F covers this deductible) and the plan has a coverage limit of 80% (like most other plans) for foreign travel medical emergencies.
What is the deductible for Plan G in 2023?
Only one deductible applies to Medigap Plan G which is the Medicare Part B deductible ($226 in 2023).
The Medicare Part B deductible increases over the last 5 years are as follows:
- 2018: $183
- 2019: $185
- 2020: $198
- 2021: $203
- 2022: $233
The Part B deductible increase of $30 in 2022, is the most significant increase since 2005.
What is the out-of-pocket maximum for Medigap plan G?
Medigap Plan G does not contain an out-of-pocket maximum. Currently, only plan K and Plan L have an out-of-pocket limit which is $6,620 and $3,310 respectively.
What is the difference between Medicare Plan D and Plan G?
Currently, the only difference between Medigap Plan D and Medigap Plan G is that Plan D does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges whereas Medigap Plan G does (100%).
Is there a chart that will allow me to easily compare Plan G with all the other plans?
Absolutely, the chart below is an up-to-date listing of the 10 standardized Medigap plans.
The Bottom Line
As we mentioned earlier in this article, shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan is the best fit for your circumstances and budget. Certainly, not all, but many of these FAQs can help you make an informed decision when purchasing Medicare Supplement insurance.
The good news is that you can easily contact the Medicare Solution Team which consists of Medicare experts who can provide the information you need no matter which state or zip code you live in. And, we provide quote comparisons quickly by using our online quote form or over the telephone during our conversation with you.
Have Questions?
We can Help!
Talk to one of our licensed Medicare supplement agents about the options available to you in your area.
Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Sat available upon request