Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan

Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan are designed for Michigan residents who are age 65 or older. Those on Social Security or Railroad Retirement Benefits are automatically signed up for Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) beginning the month they turn 65.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Michigan are for those who choose Original Medicare because the excellent coverage offered by Part A and Part B still leaves significant out of pocket expenses and no ceiling is provided to limit how much that amount could be.

Medicare hospital coverage pays for the first 20 days of care in a Skilled Nursing Facility and most of the expenses for days 21 through 100. Some supplement plans cover the 20% copay for days 21 through 100 in a Skilled Nursing Facility. Long term care in a facility is not covered and after 100 days, all charges in a Skilled Nursing Facility will be paid for by the patient.

Some home health services deemed medically necessary are covered by supplement plans as well as assistance with durable medical equipment (DME).

Because a Supplement plan covers the gaps left by Medicare A and B, it is called a Medigap plan. When shopping for health plans, it will be wise to purchase a prescription drug plan along with your Medigap plan.

One popular feature of Medigap plans is that the patient can see any doctor they choose, even if the doctor is out off state. There are no network restrictions.

What is the Best Medicare Supplement plan in Michigan?

Here’s a list of the top Medicare Supplement plans in Michigan:

Best for Full Coverage: Medicare Plan F

Medicare beneficiaries who become eligible for coverage after January 1, 2020 can no longer sign up for Medicare Supplement Part F. Those who enrolled in the plan prior to that date may keep their coverage.

Under certain circumstances, people who became eligible before January 1, 2020 may have Guaranteed Issue Rights to sign up for Plan F, including those who continued working past the minimum retirement age and have ongoing employer-based health insurance in addition to Medicare Part A and Part B.

Best comprehensive coverage: Medicare Plan G

Medicare Supplement Plan G is quickly becoming the most popular choice of insurance plans for beneficiaries aging into Medicare after January 1, 2020.

Plan G covers everything covered by Plan F except for the Medicare Part B deductible.

Seniors who are still eligible for Part F or G sometimes realize a significant savings each year because the lower monthly premiums offered by Plan G can more than offset the one-time deductible payment at the beginning of the year.

Best value: Medicare Plan N

For many Medicare recipients, Medicare Supplement Plan N may offer the best value. Some features of Medicare Supplement Plan N include:

• 100% coverage of Part A coinsurance and deductible
• Hospital expenses up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits have been used up
• First three pints of blood are 100% covered
• Foreign travel emergency care

Under Plan N, beneficiaries are responsible for cost-sharing expenses like a $20 copayment for doctor visits and a $50 copayment for Emergency Room care that does not lead to hospital admission.

Medicare Excess charges are not covered under Plan N, so it will be important to be sure your provider accepts Medicare. Since most providers now do accept Medicare, this is rarely a problem.

How Much Does a Medicare Supplement Plan in Michigan Cost?

Factors that influence the cost of a Medicare Supplement Plan in 2022 include:

• Place of residence (zip code)
• Age
• Gender
• Tobacco use
• The specific insurance company selling the policy

Every Medigap health care plan identified by the same letter is required to offer the same basic benefits. Medigap plans are standardized to provide equal coverage regardless of the state or zip code one lives in or which insurance company sells the plan. Each insurance company is allowed to set its own rates, so comparing policies before buying is a good idea.

When Can I Apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Unlike Medicare Advantage plans and Part D prescription drug plans, Medigap plans do not have an annual enrollment period. The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six month period that begins the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

During this six-month time period, you have Guaranteed Issue Rights to any policy you choose without risk of being charged extra or denied coverage. Only during this time will you be able to buy your Medigap policy without risk of Medical Underwriting (having to answer questions about your health).

Certain other circumstances may give you Guaranteed Issue Rights, such as:

• If you feel the insurance company has misled you or the company goes bankrupt
• You enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan at your Initial enrollment period and change your mind within the first year
• After enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you move out of the plan’s service area or the plan leaves Medicare
• You are enrolled in Original Medicare and an employee-based plan and this plan is ending

Medicare Select is a unique type of Medigap Plan that uses provider networks. If you enroll in a Select Plan and move out of that plan’s service area, you may have Guaranteed Issue Rights to enroll in a supplement plan of your choice.

Some Medicare recipients choose a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) as an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits.

Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) are sold and administered by private insurance companies who partner with Medicare. They offer all the basic benefits provided by Original Medicare along with certain extras like dental, vision, hearing, wellness, and fitness benefits as chosen by each company.

A Medicare Advantage plan is either an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) or a PPO (Preferred Provider Network). Advantage plans concentrate on Medicare preventive care to try to avoid severe illnesses that would lead to higher medical bills with increased out of pocket costs.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage. Check with your Medicare agent before choosing between Medicare plans because a prescription drug plan cannot be purchased with a Medicare Advantage plan.

Care in a Skilled Nursing Facility is not covered by Medicare Part C.

Choosing and buying the best Medicare policy for you can be quite challenging, so it is wise to consult with a licensed Medicare agent for help with reviewing health plans. You can ask questions and access valuable information concerning life insurance policies at the same time.

Michigan Medicare Resources

https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/what-does-medicare-cost