Medicare Supplement Plan G Prices Vary Widely

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Medicare Supplement Plan G Prices Vary Widely

Medicare Supplement Plan G prices vary significantly โ€” two insurers in the same ZIP code can differ by more than $100 per month for identical coverage. In major markets like Dallas, Los Angeles, and Chicago, the lowest available Plan G premium for a 65-year-old can be less than half the highest price offered. Comparing multiple carriers locally is the only way to find the best rate.

2020 Plan G Prices CostsIndividuals could pay more than three times more for virtually identical Medicare Supplement insurance coverage according to the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance (AAMSI).

According to the Associationโ€™s 2020 Turning 65 Price Comparison, a woman in Dallas could pay as little as $99-a-month for Medicare Plan G coverage or as much as $381-per-month.

โ€œIn every city we looked at, there is a significant difference between the lowest available price and the highest,โ€ shares Jesse Slome, AAMSIโ€™s director. The organization compared pricing for Medigap Plan G in the 10-largest metro markets.

โ€œThose turning 65 this year no longer have Plan F available, which was the most popular option,โ€ Slome explains. โ€œWe expect Plan G will now be the most popular option and the one we compared for this study.โ€

Insurers each set pricing for their plans with some 13 different companies offering either the lowest or the highest price for the 10 cities studied. โ€œNo single Medicare insurance company was consistently the lowest and neither was any one company regularly the most costly,โ€ Slome notes.

The lowest cost for a male age 65 was $109-per-month available in Dallas. The highest cost was $509-per-month in Philadelphia.

โ€œThe 11,000 Americans turning 65 every day are inundated with solicitations from Medicare insurance companies and marketing organizations,โ€ Slome admits. โ€œEach touts the virtues of their particular plan and it can be overwhelming and confusing. But what the 2020 study makes clear is the importance of comparing costs before making this important decision.โ€

The Association makes available the only national online directory where consumers can find local Medicare insurance agents. โ€œThere are roughly 1,000 Medicare insurance agents listed on the directory that is free and completely private to use,โ€ Slome acknowledges. โ€œThere is no sign-in or personal information gathered.โ€

To see summarized results from the 2020 Medicare Cost Comparison and several tips for consumers, go to www.medicaresupp.org/medigap-plan-g-costs-2020/.

The American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance is an advocacy and informational organization that supports the industry and insurance professionals who market Medicare insurance options. To access the free, private online directory of Medicare insurance agents go to www.medicaresupp.org/find-local-agent/.


Frequently asked questions:

Why do Medicare Plan G prices vary so much?

Plan G benefits are standardized by federal law โ€” every insurer offers identical coverage โ€” but each company sets its own premiums. In the same ZIP code, two insurers can charge vastly different rates for the exact same Plan G benefits. Comparing multiple carriers locally is the only way to avoid significantly overpaying for identical coverage.

How much can Plan G prices vary in the same area?

The difference can be substantial. In some metro areas, the spread between the lowest and highest Plan G premium from different insurers can exceed $2,000 per year for the same coverage. A female turning 65 in Atlanta, for example, could pay as little as $119 or as much as $321 per month depending on which insurer she selects.

What factors affect how much I pay for Plan G?

Your premium is influenced by your age, gender, tobacco use, ZIP code, and which insurer you choose. The pricing method the insurer uses also matters โ€” attained-age pricing increases your premium as you age, while issue-age and community-rated pricing can offer more stability over time. Each company weighs these factors differently.

How do I find the lowest Plan G price in my area?

The most reliable method is working with a local Medicare insurance broker who can pull current quotes from multiple carriers in your ZIP code. Brokers can also share each companyโ€™s history of rate increases, which matters as much as the starting premium since Medigap rates are not fixed and typically rise each year.

Should I always choose the cheapest Plan G available?

Not necessarily. A very low starting premium can be followed by steep rate increases in subsequent years. It is worth asking any insurer or broker for the companyโ€™s 5-year history of rate increases before enrolling. A plan that starts slightly higher but has a record of modest increases may cost less over the long term than an aggressively priced plan with volatile rate history.
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