Medicare Supplement Plans in North Dakota

If you are retiring and about to be covered by Original Medicare, or about to be, you may know that the two components of standard Medicare, Medicare Part A, and Medicare Part B, do not cover all your healthcare expenses. Original Medicare typically covers 80% of approved medical charges. You are responsible for the remaining 20% of Medicare-approved charges and 100% of charges not approved by Medicare.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are named with the letters A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. There are two high-deductible plans, F and G, also available. Medicare Supplement plans are standardized. This means that any plan by the same letter name (Example Plan N) will offer the same benefits regardless of state or insurance company.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in North Dakota

Each insurance company that sells Medicare Supplement plans receives a rating from A.M. Best. They award the insurance company a letter grade based on customer satisfaction, stability, number of years in business, and more. Three companies that enjoy an A+ A.M. Best rating in North Dakota are:

• AARP
• Humana
• Omaha Insurance Company

Medicare Supplement Plan F

Medicare Supplement Plan F has long been the most popular Medigap plan, but enrollees becoming eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020 are not eligible to enroll in this plan.

It is the most comprehensive plan because it covers every gap left by standard Medicare, including the Part B deductible ($233 in 2022).

Medicare Supplement Plan G

Medicare recipients becoming eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, will find Plan G to be the most comprehensive Medigap plan. The only gap that it does not fill is the Part B deductible.

Many Medicare enrollees find that the lower premiums with Part G Medicare plans offer good compensation for paying the annual deductible for Part B.

Medicare Supplement Plan N

Medigap Plan N is rapidly increasing in popularity. It offers excellent benefits including paying all the Part B coinsurance. It does require some copayments like a $20 copay on physician visits and outpatient surgery and a $50 copay on an Emergency Room visit that does not lead to hospital admission.

The gaps not covered by Plan N include the deductible for Part B and the Medicare Excess charges. Physicians who do not accept Medicare can legally charge patients up to 15% over the usual and reasonable charges approved by Medicare. Recipients on Medigap Plan N need to ask their chosen provider whether or not they accept Medicare before scheduling an appointment.

High-Deductible Plan F

High-Deductible Part F health insurance provides the same benefits as standard Part F, including:

• Part A deductible and coinsurance plus costs of an extra 365 days of hospitalization after Medicare benefits have been used
• Part B copayment, coinsurance, deductibles, and excess charges
• First three pints of blood used in a Medicare-approved medical procedure
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency benefits – 80% up to plan limits

With standard Medigap Part F, you will have a higher monthly premium, but benefits will be available immediately upon enrollment

The high deductible Part F requires a higher deductible of $2,340. The extra cost is offset by lower monthly premiums.

High-Deductible Plan G

The same benefits that Medicare enrollees get with Medigap Part G are included in the high-deductible G plan.

• Deductible, coinsurance, and hospital costs for Medicare Part A
• Part B coinsurance, copayments, and Excess Charges
• First three pints of blood for Medicare-approved procedure
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency benefits

The deductible of $2,340 must be paid before coverage begins. Premiums will be lower on a monthly basis.

How Much are Medicare Supplement Plans in North Dakota?

The cost of Medicare Supplement Insurance in North Dakota is based on location, gender, and age. For example, a 65-year-old, non-smoking woman living in Barnes County, zip code 58063, might pay the following rates:

• Plan G: $114.29 – $167.08
• Plan N: $90.88 – $126.28

When Can I Apply for a North Dakota Medicare Supplement Plan?

Each Medicare enrollee is given an Open Enrollment Period to sign up for a Medigap policy. It begins the first day of the month you turn 65 and lasts six full months. It cannot be rescheduled for another time.

During this time, you will have more choices of Medigap plans. You cannot be denied coverage in your preferred plan, and the premium cannot be higher because of a pre-existing condition. No waiting periods for coverage will be imposed.

You have nothing to lose in studying the Medigap plans and trying one. If you decide within six months that you are not satisfied, you can choose another Medigap policy or enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can apply for a Medigap plan any time during the year, but you may have to undergo Medical Underwriting, be turned down for the policy, or have a waiting period for a pre-existing condition.

Certain circumstances may qualify you for Guaranteed Enrollments at a later time. Ask your Medicare agent about the details.

Ready To Learn More?

As a new enrollee in one of the Medigap health plans, you will have great coverage for most of your out-of-pocket costs, but you will not have prescription drug coverage. You will need to purchase a Part D prescription drug plan or sign up for a Medicare Advantage Plan. Most advantage plans include prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Advantage (Part C) emphasizes Medicare preventive care. Medicare Advantage plans may be a Home Health Organization (HMO) or a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO). They help cover the costs of some Home Health Care, but the out-of-pocket costs of care in a skilled nursing facility are not covered.

These insurance plans offer extra advantages like dental, hearing, vision, and/or drug coverage all in one policy. Because these health plans often include prescription drug coverage, you cannot sign up for an Advantage plan and a prescription drug plan at the same time.

Medicare offers many choices and can be confusing. Consulting a Medicare insurance agent would be a wise place to start. They can help you review Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D drug plans, and find the best choice for you. They know the specifics of each insurance company and can guide you to the one that will best meet your needs. You might even decide to buy a life insurance policy, too!

North Dakota Medicare Resources

https://www.helpadvisor.com/medicare/north-dakota-medicare-supplement-plans

https://www.insurance.nd.gov/consumers/shic-medicare/medicare-supplement

State Links

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)- https://www.shiphelp.org/ – 877-839-2675 – 3840 West 9th Street – Waterloo, IA 50702

State Enrollment Statistics

Currently, in North Dakota, almost 54,000 people (approximately 48% of Medicare enrollees) own Medicare Supplement insurance policies. They buy these policies from private insurance companies that contract with federal Medicare and adhere to Medicare guidelines.