Our independent agency offers Georgia Medicare Supplement insurance plans direct from several companies. If you are new to Medicare, shopping for better rates, or eligible for Medicare due to disability, we can help you compare plans and rates with many providers.
Our independent insurance agency represents all companies direct, including AARP United Healthcare, Aetna, Allstate, Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield, Cigna, CSI Life, Equitable, Heartland, Humana, Manhattan Life, Medico, Mutual of Omaha, Transamerica, United American, Western United, and many others.
The ten Medicare supplement plans to choose from are labeled A through N. Each fills different gaps.
(View a Medicare supplement benefit chart.)
In our experience Plans F, G, and N are most popular when coupled with prescription Part D drug coverage.
Currently Aetna, Manhattan Life, and Mutual of Omaha offer some of the lowest rates on these plans in Georgia. Rates can vary based on age, gender, zip code, and tobacco usage.
You are shopping on more than just initial rates, however. Renewal history is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a Medicare supplement policy. We can help you compare historical rate increases, loss ratios, and available discounts with our many insurance companies.
Plans G, N, and High Deductible F offer some of the best value when comparing monthly premiums with benefits. Considering Plan G has only one gap (the $226 Part B deductible), it offers good value when compared to Plan F.
And there are some changes for 2020. If you’re new to Medicare in 2020 and beyond, Plans F and C are no longer available for purchase. You can keep them – or even shop for new ones – if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, however.
High Deductible Plans G and F are popular as they offer some of the lowest rates available. In order for benefits to begin, you need to reach a $3,470 deductible in 2023. It’s important to know if you wish to upgrade your supplement (say to a traditional Plan F or G) then medical underwriting will likely be required.
There is no open enrollment for Medicare supplement policies each year. The AEP window in the fall of each year (Oct. 15th – Dec. 7th) is for changing Part D Drug plans and Medicare Advantage policies. It does not allow you to switch from one Supplement to another without passing medical underwriting first.
(Additionally, some insurance companies offer supplemental coverage with a network of doctors and hospitals to choose from as opposed to using any doctor or hospital. These are referred to as “Select” plans. The advantage of purchasing a high deductible or network-driven Select plan is lower monthly premiums.)
If you are currently enrolled or soon to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, then you are eligible to purchase supplement insurance. This period of time is your personal open enrollment window and it’s unique to you. It only happens once for most – not every year.
Your open enrollment is a seven-month window consisting of the three months before your 65th birthday, the month of, and three months after your 65th birthday. You cannot be denied a supplemental policy because of poor health during open enrollment. There are no waiting periods for preexisting conditions for those enrolling in supplemental insurance during their open enrollment window.
If you are eligible for Medicare due to disability, you get the same 7-month open enrollment window near your Medicare Part B effective date. You can purchase a Medicare supplement at this time – no questions asked. However, insurance companies in Georgia are allowed to charge higher rates when you are under the age of 65.
And if you defer your Part B enrollment until after age 65, your open enrollment window will begin when you start Part B. Many of our clients defer Part B if they have creditable group health insurance through work. To qualify, there must be 20 or more employees. If your group is under, then you may need to enroll in Part B at age 65.
You are eligible to purchase a Medicare supplement insurance plan after age 65 if you are losing group health insurance. You will only need proof of coverage from your employer to gain guaranteed acceptance into a supplement and Part D prescription drug plan.
There are some coverage types (Plan N for instance) that are not guaranteed issue after the open enrollment window at age 65. It depends on whether you have already enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you have, then you will need to go through medical underwriting to enroll in Plan N, but not Plan G.
It’s important to explore all of your options when you first enroll in Medicare Part B – even if you plan on keeping group insurance. You can sometimes save money by separating from your group plan and purchasing a supplement. You may have more options available as well. Be sure to talk with a knowledgeable broker – it can save you time and money.
We serve all of Georgia, including Atlanta, Albany, Macon, and all places in between. Whether you are new to Medicare or shopping for better rates, we can help. We also assist with Part D drug and Medicare Advantage plans.
We offer all plans direct. You will not find lower rates on the same coverage online, in person, or by calling each carrier on your own. Our brokerage can help you compare all plans side by side. Contact us today!