Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Indiana
Key Takeaways
- If you have Original Medicare, you can add Medicare Supplement Plans to help cover your out-of-pocket costs.
- These optional plans are sold by private insurance companies.
- Also called Medigap plans, these supplemental plans help pay for things like the deductiblesA deductible is an amount you pay out of pocket before your insurance company covers its portion of your medical bills. For example: If your deductible is $1,000, your insurance company will not cover any costs until you pay the first $1,000 yourself. and copaymentsA copayment is the fixed amount you pay directly to your provider for medical services or prescription drugs covered in your plan. For example: If your plan includes a copayment of $20 for office visits, you’ll pay $20 to your doctor whenever you have an appointment. that you would normally be responsible for after Medicare pays its share of your healthcare costs.
- You cannot purchase a Medigap plan if you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
What are Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans, are private insurance plans that can be added to your Original Medicare. These plans are optional but can be used to help pay for your share of the cost for Medicare-covered services.
If you are eligible for Medicare in Indiana, you may be able to enroll in a Medigap plan. There are several types of Medicare Supplement Plans in Indiana, and each offers different levels of coverage, rates and availability. Medigap plans are private plans, so you might not be able to find the same plans or rates everywhere. To find what plans are offered in your area, you can check directly with the insurance companies or call a licensed GoHealth agent to walk through your options.
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Indiana Medicare Supplement Plan Coverage
There are 10 different types of Medigap plans, plus high-deductible versions of some of these plans. The federal government has set standards for what each plan must cover, but some insurance companies may not offer every one of these plans, or may choose to include additional coverage.
All Indiana 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
Availability of plans can vary between different insurance companies, and sometimes between zip codes or counties. If you became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, you won’t be able to purchase Plans C and F. This is the result of a change that prohibits plans from fully covering Part B deductibles.
IN Medigap Plan Costs
Medigap rates can vary based on the insurance company offering the plan. Some plans determine costs based on your age, while others price premiums based on market conditions.
Medigap premiums in Indiana range from about $47 to $1,425 per month for standard plans in 2022 and $29 to $206 per month for high-deductible plans. Most plans offer full coverage of Part B copayments and coinsurance, too.
When you have a Medigap plan, your Original Medicare coverage will pay first. Many people are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, but pay an income-based premium for Part B coverage, plus deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Medigap can be used to cover your share of Part A deductibles, as well as any copayments or coinsurance you are left with after your Medicare benefits are paid.
Although you will pay a premium for your Medigap coverage, people who have a lot of healthcare needs — which means they may have more out-of-pocket costs — often pay less than they would without a supplemental plan.
Some Medigap plans also give discounts for things like:
· Being a non-smoker
· Paying your premium annually instead of monthly
· Joining as a married couple
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 Indiana
If you are eligible for Original Medicare, you can purchase a Medigap plan. However, if you don’t buy a Medigap plan when you are first eligible for Medicare, there’s no guarantee you will be able to buy a plan later on, and you could pay more if you do get one.
You will get the best prices and the most choices if you purchase a Medigap plan during your initial six-month open enrollment period. This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B coverage. After this initial period, insurance companies can deny coverage based on any pre-existing health conditions.
If you’ve decided to add a Medigap plan to your Original Medicare, 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. GoHealth licensed insurance agents can also help you find plans in your area that will fit your needs.
Are There Indiana 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, you can keep the coverage, but if you ever remove your drug coverage you won’t be able to add it back on later.
You can’t wrap prescription coverage into your Medigap plan anymore, but 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 Indiana
Medigap plans can only be added to Original Medicare. If you decide 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 coverage of Original Medicare with additional services, like drug coverage, dental coverage and more. If you switch from Original Medicare with a Medigap plan to a Medicare Advantage plan and you do not like it, you will have a one-time 12-month grace period when you can switch back to your Medigap plan or buy a different 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 Indiana. 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.