Find Best Medigap California

Seniors who want to find best Medigap California plans and costs should do the following. Understand that you have multiple options. Know what questions to ask. Call the various advertised toll-free numbers. But also speak with at least one local Medicare advisor. Get everything in writing.

Here’s why comparison plan shopping is so important. In 2024 a woman turning 65 in Los Angeles (Zip Code 90001) could pay as little as $155-per-month for Medigap Plan G coverage. If she picks a different insurance company, she could find herself paying $258 monthly.

Costs in San Francisco are different. The lowest cost for a woman turning 65 (2024 Medigap Price Index) is $133-per-month. The highest is $221 monthly.

Few seniors understand that prices can be so different. Far too few take the time to comparison shop. But if you want to get the best coverage and the best costs, we share some tips.

Understand You Have Multiple Medicare Plan Options

Before turning 65 and becoming eligible for Medicare, you probably had just a few health care plan options. Maybe two or three different plans to compare and choose from.

Now you could have literally 100 or more!

Many people just have Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Part A helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B helps cover services from doctors and other health care providers, outpatient care and many preventive services (like screenings, shots or vaccines, and yearly “Wellness” visits).

About 14 million add a Medigap plan. Medigap does exactly what it sounds like. It covers the ‘gaps’ in Medicare Parts A and B. We call it Medigap or Medicare Supplement insurance. You may also want a Medicare prescription drug plan. Or Medicare Part D.

Many people today are selecting a Medicare Advantage plan. This is also referred to as Medicare Part C. It’s NOT provided by Medicare. Instead it’s provided by a private insurance company or health care provider. Some of these plans have no monthly premium cost. But there can be costs.

Which one is best for you? That is based on so many important decisions.

What Happens If I Choose The Wrong Medicare Plan?

The short answer is that you may be able to switch to a better plan. But that is not always the case in all situations. So, it is important to ask before you sign up.

It is advisable to seek guidance from healthcare professionals, counselors, or local advisors specializing in Medicare plans. They can help review your current coverage, assess your needs, and recommend appropriate steps to rectify any mistakes in selecting your Medicare plan.

In California, if you choose the wrong Medicare plan, whether it’s a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medicare drug plan, and you find that the plan does not meet your needs due to inaccuracies or other reasons, there are options available to correct this situation.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) may grant additional Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) for individuals who made a plan choice that doesn’t align with their needs due to faulty information on the Plan Finder.

How Do I Get Medigap Coverage?

In California, residents can obtain Medigap Plan coverage by purchasing Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) from licensed insurance companies. To be eligible for a Medigap policy, individuals must already be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.

Under California law, individuals have the option to purchase one of the standardized Medigap plans labeled A-N. These plans offer various benefits to help offset healthcare costs, and all companies must offer the same benefits for each lettered plan. It is essential for Californians to understand the changes made to Medigap plans, including new additions like Plans M and N, revised benefits such as hospice coverage and increased excess charges coverage in Plan G.

If Californians are satisfied with their current Medigap plan, they can keep it as long as they continue to pay the premiums. However, if their needs change or if they find more suitable coverage with a different plan at a lower premium, they may consider switching to a new Medigap plan.

Individuals in California can purchase Medigap policies through licensed insurance agents who are authorized to sell these plans. It is important to note that Medicare/Medigap does not have official sales agents, so individuals should be cautious of anyone claiming to be a Medicare representative.

How Many Insurance Companies Offer Medigap In California?

In 2024 here are the names of insurance companies offering Medigap Plan G. Plan G is the Medigap plan chosen by most seniors turning 65.

• Aflac
• Allstate
• Anthem Blue Cross
• Blue Shield of California
• Continental Life (Aetna)
• Elips Life
• Health Net Life
• Humana
• ManhattanLife
• UnitedHealthcare (AARP)
• United American Insurance Company
• United World

Which Is The Lowest Cost Medigap Provider In California?

This is going to vary. Each insurance company decides what they are going to charge. And no one insurance company is always going to be the lowest cost plan.

Plus they will raise rates typically every year. Which is why we so strong stress comparison shopping. And, working with at least one local Medicare insurance advisor. He or she can tell you the company’s prior history of rate increases.

Ready to find a California Medicare insurance advisor? Simply use the Association’s online directory. Just click the link. Enter your Zip Code and the list appears.

How Many Medicare Advantage Plans Are Available in California?

There are 24 different Medicare Advantage plans available in California.

Top Five Largest Medicare Advantage Plans in California:

• Kaiser Permanente
• Anthem Blue Cross
• UnitedHealthcare
• Blue Shield of California
• Humana

What Are The Pros and Cons of Medicare Advantage Coverage?

According to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance Medicare Advantage plans offer potential cost savings. Plus many offer additional benefits, guaranteed acceptance regardless of health status, and improved satisfaction levels with coordinated care.

However, they come with limitations such as restricted provider networks, charges for out-of-network care, potential high out-of-pocket costs despite $0 premiums. There may be additional monthly premiums on average, restrictions on extra benefits like dental and vision care, and the inability to purchase supplemental Medigap policies.

Here are some PROS of Medicare Advantage plans:

• Potentially lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare.
• Benefits that Original Medicare can’t offer.
• No enrollment rejections due to pre-existing conditions.
• Better satisfaction levels and coordinated care than Original Medicare.

And here are some CONS of Medicare Advantage plans:

• Limited networks of doctors and hospitals.
• Charges for seeing out-of-network providers.
• Steep out-of-pocket costs despite $0 premiums.
• Additional premiums may apply, averaging around $18 per month.
• Flat fee co-pays but higher costs for out-of-network care.
• Annual out-of-pocket limits for in-network and out-of-network services.
• Restrictions on extra benefits like dental, vision, and hearing care.
• Ineligibility to purchase supplemental Medigap policies.

Find Key Medicare Insurance Information

Access relevant Medigap information using these links.

2024 Medicare Supplement Price Index – PLAN G. See the lowest and highest premium rates for top-10 U.S. markets.

PLAN N Price Index rates. Lowest and highest rates for top-10 U.S. cities.

Medicare Supplement insurance statistics – what plans people turning age 65 choose.

Find Best Medicare Supplement Plans – tips and information for seniors turn 65.