Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Idaho
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Supplement Plans are private insurance plans that can be added on to Original Medicare.
- These plans are optional, but they can help reduce what you pay for your share of Medicare costs.
- These plans, also called Medigap plans, can help pay for Medicare deductibles and copayments.
- Medigap can only be added to Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage.
What are Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans, are optional insurance plans that you can add on to your Original Medicare. These private plans can be used to help pay for your share of the cost for Medicare-covered services.
There are several types of Medigap plans, and each has different coverage, rates and availability. Because Medigap plans are private insurance plans, you might not be able to find the same plans or rates everywhere. You will need to check with insurance companies in your area to find out what specific plans are offered and how much they will cost.
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Idaho Medicare Supplement Plan Coverage
There are ten types of Medigap plans that are named with letters (like Plan A and Plan D), plus high-deductible versions of two of these plans (Medigap Plans F and Plan G). The federal government has rules for what each Medigap plan has to cover (so coverage will not vary based on the insurance company that offers it), but not every insurance company offers every type of plan.
All Idaho Medigap plans will cover:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance for hospital and hospice care
- Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments
- Blood needed for medical procedures (first 3 pints in a year)
- Part A coinsurance for skilled nursing care facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Up to 80% of foreign travel emergency healthcare
Idaho Medigap Plan Costs
Medigap plan costs can vary between insurance companies. Some plans also determine costs based on your age, while others price premiums based on the market rather than age.
Prices vary by plan type and insurance company, but Medigap premiums range from about $90 to $675 per month for standard plans in 2022 and $38 to $175 per month for high-deductible plans in Idaho. Most plans offer full coverage of Part B copayments and coinsurance, too.
Original Medicare pays healthcare costs first. Then Medigap plans can be used to cover your share of deductibles, copayments or coinsurance you are left with after your Medicare benefits are paid. Although you will pay a premium for your Medigap coverage, the cost of your Medigap premium is often less than you would pay for out-of-pocket costs without a supplemental plan.
You may also consider using a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare with Medigap coverage. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can help you find the right fit based on your budget and your healthcare needs.
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Medicare Supplement Plan Eligibility & Enrollment in Idaho
If you are eligible for Original Medicare, you are eligible for Medigap. It’s best to buy a Medigap plan when you are first eligible for Medicare, as you may not be able to purchase one later — and you could pay more if you do.
You will get the best prices and the most choices during your initial six-month Medigap open enrollment period. This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B coverage. During this period, insurance companies are required to accept your application for coverage and cannot charge you higher premiums based on your health. After this period, they can choose to deny coverage or charge you more for the same plan.
If you’ve decided to add a supplement plan to your Original Medicare coverage, you should start by reviewing the different types of plans to see what will best fit your needs. Next, compare which insurance companies offer those plans. You can use Medicare’s online plan finder tool to help you locate plans and providers in your zip code. Or you can call GoHealth to speak to one of our licensed insurance agents, who can help you compare Medigap plans to find the one that will best fit your needs.
Are There Idaho Medicare Supplement Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage?
At one point, Medigap plans were allowed to include prescription drug coverage. That changed in 2006. If you bought a Medigap plan before January 1, 2006 that includes this coverage, you can keep it. But if you ever remove your drug coverage you won’t be able to add it back on later.
While you can’t include prescription coverage in your Medigap plan anymore, you can still get medication coverage through Medicare. To get prescription drug coverage, you will need to purchase a Medicare Part D plan.
If you do have drug coverage from a Medigap plan purchased before 2006, you cannot be enrolled in a Part D plan at the same time.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage in Idaho
Medigap plans can only be added to Original Medicare, so if you have opted to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you will have to contact the insurance company that supplies your Medigap coverage and cancel your policy.
Medicare Advantage plans combine all of the elements of Original Medicare plus optional services like drug coverage, hearing and vision coverage, and more.
If you switch from Original Medicare with a Medigap plan to a Medicare Advantage plan and you’re not happy with your choice, you will have a one-time, 12-month period during which you can switch back to your old Medigap plan or choose a new one.
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Medicare Learning Guides
Healthcare is personal. So is choosing insurance. If you are new to Medicare, a beneficiary researching options, or a caregiver, we have tailored Medicare Guides for you.
Before 65 Guide
Understanding health insurance before age 65, especially when considering early retirement
Medicare Plans Guide
Costs, coverage and enrollment details for each Medicare plan
Medicare Beneficiary Guide
For those currently enrolled in Medicare
Low Income and Medicare Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
A Caregiver's Guide
For individuals with a qualifying income status
Sources
- When can I buy Medigap? Medicare.gov.
- Find a Medigap policy that works for you. Medicare.gov.
- What’s Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)? Medicare.gov.
- How to compare Medigap policies. Medicare.gov.
- Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans in Idaho. Medicare.gov.
- Buying your Medigap policy. Medicare.gov.
- Medigap & Medicare drug coverage (Part D). Medicare.gov.
- Medigap & Medicare Advantage plans. Medicare.gov.
This website is operated by GoHealth, LLC., a licensed health insurance company. The website and its contents are for informational and educational purposes; helping people understand Medicare in a simple way. The purpose of this website is the solicitation of insurance. Contact will be made by a licensed insurance agent/producer or insurance company. Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Our mission is to help every American get better health insurance and save money.
Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.