Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Connecticut
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Supplement plans can be added on to Original Medicare, but not Medicare Advantage.
- These optional plans can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
- These plans, also called Medigap, are purchased from private insurance companies.
- Medigap plans help cover your healthcare costs after Original Medicare pays its share.
What are Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Supplement Plans are optional private insurance plans that you can add on to Original Medicare. These plans, also called Medigap, 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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Connecticut Medicare Supplement Plan Coverage
There are 10 different types of Medigap plans, plus high-deductible versions of two of these plans. The federal government has set standards for what each plan must cover, although some insurance companies may not offer every one of these plans, or may choose to include additional coverage.
All Connecticut 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
Each of these plans is offered in Connecticut, but availability can vary from one insurance company to another, and even between zip codes. There are also high-deductible versions of plans F and G, but plans C and F can no longer be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. This is the result of a change that prohibits plans from fully covering Part B deductibles.
CT Medigap Plan Costs
Costs of Medigap plans can vary based on the insurance company offering the plan. Some plans also determine rates based on your age, while others price premiums based on the market rather than age.
Rates vary by plan type and insurance company, but 2024 Medigap premiums range from about $73 to $1,210 per month for standard plans and $48 to $85 per month for high-deductible plans in Connecticut. Most plans offer full coverage of Part B copayments and coinsurance, too.
When you have a Medigap plan, your Original Medicare benefits pay out first. Many people are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, but will pay an income-based premium for Medicare Part B coverage, plus deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans can be used to cover your share of Part A deductibles, and any copayments or coinsurance you are left with after your Medicare benefits are paid. Although you will pay a premium for your Medigap coverage, for people who have a lot of healthcare needs — and expenses — the cost of your Medigap premium is usually 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 Connecticut
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 the initial six-month open enrollment period. This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B coverage. After this initial period, you may not be able to buy a plan at all, because insurance companies will be allowed to deny you coverage based on pre-existing health conditions.
If you’ve decided to add a supplement plan to 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. 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 Connecticut 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 change plans or remove your drug coverage, you won’t be able to add it back on later.
While you can’t wrap prescription coverage into 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 Connecticut
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, high-deductible plans 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 grace period during which you will be able to get your Medigap plan back 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 Connecticut. 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.