Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Maryland
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Supplement Plans are private insurance plans that can be added to Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program available to Americans aged 65 and older and some individuals with disabilities. Original Medicare is provided by the federal government and is made up of two parts: Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). .
- Medigap plans help cover your share of your Medicare costs after you pay a monthly premium, and sometimes a deductible.
- Anyone who qualifies for Medicare can buy a Medigap plan.
- There are 12 different Medigap plan choices in Maryland. You’ll get the best rate if you sign up when you’re first eligible for Medicare.
Maryland Medicare Supplement Plan Coverage
Medicare Supplement Plans, also known as Medigap plans, are private insurance plans that you can add on to Original Medicare in Maryland. You pay a monthly premium for your coverage, but your plan will then help cover your share of your healthcare costs after your Medicare benefit is paid. This can help save you money on things like copayments and deductibles.
Medigap plans are offered in every state, in some form. Anyone who is eligible for Medicare can sign up for a Medigap plan. There are several types of Medicare Supplement Plans offered in Maryland, 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. Insurance rates and coverage can depend on where you live, your overall health, how old you are when you sign up and what insurance company you choose to purchase your plan from.
In general, there are 10 different types of Medigap plans, plus high-deductible versions of two of these plans. The federal government sets the rules for what each plan must cover, but states and insurance companies can set their rates and other specifics for each plan.
You can find a description of each type of Medigap plan and what they are required to cover in this side-by-side Medigap comparison chart.
There are high-deductible versions of Plan F and Plan G that might save you money on your monthly premium, but cost more when you need healthcare services. Plans C and F were changed in 2020, and can no longer be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1 of that year. The reason for this change is that Medigap plans are no longer able to fully cover Part B deductibles.
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MD Medigap Plan Costs
Rates for Medicare Supplemental Plans depend on a lot of things like your age, health, what company you purchase your plan from and where you live. In Maryland, Medigap monthly premiums range from about $56 to $3,131 for standard plans in 2022, and $32 to $355 for high-deductible plans.
Some Medigap plans give discounts for things like:
- Being a non-smoker
- Paying your premium annually instead of monthly
- Joining as a married couple
With all Medigap plans, your healthcare costs are paid using your Original Medicare coverage first, and then your supplemental insurance coverage is applied. Many people with Original Medicare are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, but will pay an income-based premium for Part B coverage, plus deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans can be used to cover your share of the Part A deductibles, and any copayments or coinsurance you would normally have to pay after your Medicare benefits are paid.
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.
Medicare Supplement Plan Eligibility & Enrollment in Maryland
Anyone who is eligible for Original Medicare can purchase a Medigap plan, but if you don’t sign up when you are first eligible for Medicare, your insurance rates might be higher. There’s also no guarantee you will be able to buy a plan later on, and you could be denied because of pre-existing health conditions.
You will get the best prices and choices for coverage with a Medigap plan during your initial six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B coverage. After this, you may not be able to buy a plan at all or it may cost you more — especially if you already have health problems.
If you do decide to add a Medicare Supplement Plan to your Original Medicare, it’s good to start your search by checking what plans are offered in your area, and what plans are the best fit for you. You can use Medicare’s online plan finder tool to help you find plans and providers in your zip code, or you can talk to a GoHealth licensed insurance agent to help you find and compare plans in your area.
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Are There Medicare Supplement Plans with Prescription Drug Coverage in Maryland?
Medigap plans used to be allowed to cover prescription medications, but that changed in 2006. If you bought a Medigap plan before January 1, 2006, you can keep your coverage, but if you change your plan and remove the drug coverage you won’t be able to add it back on later.
Although you can’t combine prescription coverage with your Medigap plan anymore, you can still get drug coverage through 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 Maryland
Medigap plans can only be added to Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. If you are enrolled 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 cover the same things as Original Medicare, as well as extra services like drug coverage, dental care, vision and more. If you switch from Original Medicare with Medigap to a Medicare Advantage plan and you’re not happy with your choice, you have the option of going back to your original Medigap plan or buying a different one during a one-time, 12-month grace period.
FAQs
Can anyone get a Medigap plan?
How much do Medigap plans cost?
Will my Medigap plan cover medications?
Can I add Medigap coverage to my Medicare Advantage plan?
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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 Maryland. 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.