Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas

Seniors aged 65 years and older are eligible to sign up for Original Medicare, a health insurance program sponsored by the United States government. Many basic health care needs qualify for coverage under Medicare. The amount paid for medically necessary services is typically 80 percent of the total.

Medicare Supplement Plans are available from private insurance companies to help cover the health care charges and hospital costs not covered by Original Medicare.

Some out-of-pocket health care costs remain for the beneficiary to pay. The 20 percent not covered by Medicare, any co-insurance or copayment, and monthly premiums are all out-of-pocket costs. Medicare supplement plans are designed to fill in the gaps of Original Medicare coverage and are often referred to as Medigap plans.

Medicare Supplement plans do not cover extra medical expenses like vision, hearing, and dental charges. If those extras are needed, a Medicare Advantage Plan might be a good choice. Medicare Advantage plans concentrate on preventive care in order to save money on medical expenses.

Medigap plans also lack coverage for prescription drug costs. Many Medigap policyholders purchase a Part D Prescription Drug Plan to take care of prescription costs.

An individual cannot enroll for a Medicare Supplement Plan along with a Medicare Advantage Plan.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plans in Texas can be purchased from an insurance company of your choice that is also approved by Medicare. Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N are the 10 Medigap plans offered in Texas. Each insurance company may choose to offer a different set of plans.

In the past, Plan C and Plan F have covered the Medicare Part B premium. Beginning January 1, 2020, this benefit was eliminated. People who become eligible for Medicare on or after that date will have to pay the Part B premium of $198 as of 2020. Those who enrolled in Plan C or Plan F before January 1, 2020, will still be able to keep their plan or opt to enroll in a different plan.

The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan in Texas is during your initial enrollment period upon turning 65. When you enroll in Original Medicare, you can choose any Medicare Supplement Plan and not be turned down due to pre-existing conditions.

Any condition for which you have received medical treatment from a physician during the previous six months is considered a pre-existing condition. The insurance company can impose a waiting period of six months before covering pre-existing conditions.

Benefits covered by all ten Medicare Supplement plans include:

• Hospitalization
• Hospice care
• Medical expenses for enrollees paying Part B Premium, including the 20% out-of-pocket costs on Medicare-eligible charges
• First three pints of blood annually with Part A and Part B coverage

In addition, Plan G covers the following:

• Part A deductible
• Copayments for a skilled nursing facility for days 21 through 100
• Emergency care for foreign travel when traveling outside the United States
• Plan B excess charges paid 100 percent, limited to 15 percent above the amount approved by Medicare

When Can You Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas?

Some people delay enrolling in a Medigap plan because they have employer-based health plans or their spouse’s employer health plan. Be sure to ask your employer how well your health plan covers the gaps in Medicare benefits.

If it is inadequate, you will need to enroll in a Medigap plan. Consider the following federal and state laws in making your decision:

• To avoid paying a late penalty, enroll in a Medigap plan within 8 months of stopping employment
• Generally, if you do not buy a Medigap plan during your initial open enrollment period, you will have to pay a late penalty when you enroll
• You must enroll in a Medigap plan within 63 days of losing your COBRA benefits to avoid a late penalty

How much is Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas?

The cost of a Medicare Plan G policy in Texas will vary from one insurance company to another and may also differ based on what part of the state you live in. Be sure to check with your Medicare agent for specific costs and out-of-pocket expenses.

Best Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas

Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas

Since 1909, Mutual of Omaha has offered quality insurance coverage including a 7 percent discount for an enrollee whose spouse or domestic partner is applying for (or has applied for) health insurance coverage with them or one of their affiliated companies. They are rated “Best Overall” by AM Best with an A+ for financial health.

Pros:

• The website is simple and easy to follow
• Understandable comparison charts offer a concise summary of various plans
• Reviews from customers to help guide decision-making

Cons:

• Only offers Plans F, G, and N
• Multi-step procedure for paying online with bank account information or credit cards
• No Medicare app for Supplement Insurance

Aetna Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas

Aetna offers an outstanding number of Supplement plans to Medicare customers. These include Parts A, B, C, D, F, G, and N.

Each plan’s coverage and general information are clearly outlined on its website. Pricing information is available in various formats including print, PDF, and by phone.
Extensive information is provided to help readers make an informed decision.

Two apps are available through the App Store and Google Play.

In business since 1853, the company is currently owned by the CVS Corporation. AM Best awarded them a grade of A in Financial Strength.

Pros:

• Multi-format presentation of information
• Listing of phone numbers for members and non-members on each page
• When relocating within the United States or traveling abroad, coverage remains available

Cons:

• A complicated written description of coverage is apart from the comparison chart
• Personal information must be entered for on-site price estimates
• Downloadable coverage document for the specified state is lengthy and hard to understand

Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan G in Texas

Cigna holds the distinction of offering the Best Discounts for multiple policyholders in a household and discounts for healthy policyholders.

Offering fewer plan choices than some of its competitors, this company lists A, F, a high-deductible F, G, and N as its choices.

Its website includes easy-to-use information plainly divided into separate categories. When you click on the ‘Details’ tab in the comparison chart, you will find an itemized description of each plan. This enables the user to make easy comparisons without being overwhelmed by too much information.

For further information, access the links below.

Texas Medicare Supplement Insurance Guide
Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Texas
Your Medicare coverage choices