Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan G 2024
Have you recently enrolled in Medicare? Are you looking for a way to offset the out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles?
If so, you’re probably considering investing in Medicare Supplement Insurance.
There are several supplemental Medicare insurance policies, and Medicare Plan G is one of the most popular. Anthem, one of the largest health insurers in the United States, offers this Medigap plan.
What does Medigap Plan G cover?
Should you purchase this plan through Anthem? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more, and to determine if Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan G is the right option for you.
An Overview of Medigap Insurance
Medical Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap insurance, is designed to cover the costs that Original Medicare – Part A and Part B – don’t cover.
In other words, Medigap insurance can help to offset out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare beneficiaries are responsible for paying, such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
There are 10 different standardized Medigap plans, and these plans are sold by private insurance companies.
While coverage varies from plan to plan, because they are standardized, plans that are the same type must offer the same type of coverage; for instance, all Plan N Medigap insurance must provide the same coverage, no matter where it is purchased and no matter which insurance company sells it.
Individual insurance companies set their own rates for the Medigap plans that they sell.
By investing in Medicare Supplement insurance, you can save a good bit of money on the out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover.
About Anthem Insurance
Anthem was founded as Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc. and Mutual Medical Insurance Inc. in Indianapolis in 1946.
As the companies grew, they merged, eventually becoming the Associated Group. In 1996, the name changed again to Anthem Insurance Company. Today, Anthem is the second-largest health insurance company in the United States.
Anthem provides Medigap insurance plans, via both the company’s Blue Cross Blue Shield collective, as well as on its own.
The company stands apart from many of the other insurance companies that offer Medigap plans, as it provides options to add both vision and dental to the Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that they provide.
Additionally, most Anthem Medigap plans to provide access to SilverSneakers, a free membership to the gym network.
Medicare beneficiaries who purchase Medigap insurance through Anthem can also take advantage of the company’s prescription drug discount program, known as ScriptSave/WellRx.
While Anthem is a highly stable insurance company and it does offer several benefits, on the downside, it only provides a handful of Medigap plans; moreover, it doesn’t serve as many states as a lot of other insurers.
About Anthem Medigap Plan G
Plan G is one of the few Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that Anthem offers. Of the 10 standardized Medigap plans, Plan G provides the most coverage for new Medicare enrollees.
What Plan G Covers
Medigap Plan G covers most of the out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t carry and that Medicare beneficiaries are required to pay for. This includes the following:
- Part A deductible
- Part A coinsurance and hospital benefits
- Part B coinsurance and copayments
- Part B excess expenses
- Hospice care coinsurance and copayments
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Blood transfusions required for medical procedures; the first 3 pints
- Healthcare emergencies that are deemed medically necessary while traveling outside of the United States
Dental and Vision Add-Ons
Anthem provides Medicare beneficiaries in some locations the option to add coverage for services that aren’t included with standard Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. You may be able to add dental care, including cleanings and procedures, as well as vision exams, as well as prescription glasses or contact lenses, to Plan G via an Anthem Extras package.
Anthem Discounts
Individuals who apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G through Anthem may also be able to take advantage of special discounts. Examples include:
- Household discounts. For each additional member of your household who enrolls in Medigap insurance through Anthem, you may be eligible to receive a 5 percent discount on your own Anthem Medigap premiums.
- Automatic payment discounts. If you use automatic bank withdrawals to pay your monthly premiums, you may be eligible to receive $2 off of your monthly premium.
- Annual payment discounts. If you prepay for your Medigap Plan G coverage an entire year in advance, you may be eligible to receive a $48 discount on your yearly premium.
How Anthem Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G Works
Once you turn 65 and you have enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare), you will have a period of six months during which you can enroll in Medigap insurance.
This is known as the Medicare Open Enrollment period, and you are guaranteed acceptance for Plan G during this time; in other words, Anthem cannot consider your current health status or your medical history if you apply for Plan G during this time.
Once the six-month period comes to a close, however, Anthem can take both your current health status and your medical history into consideration when reviewing your application and can deny coverage based on this information.
If you apply for Medigap Plan G with Anthem during the Open Enrollment period, not only are you guaranteed coverage, but you are guaranteed coverage for life.
Do note that you must continue to pay your premiums, as well as the expenses that you are responsible for; otherwise, Anthem can discontinue your coverage.
Also, be aware that Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are renewed automatically each year unless you decide to change your plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Anthem Medicare Supplement plan?
An Anthem Medicare Supplement plan, often called Medigap, is an insurance policy that complements Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It assists in covering out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurances, and copayments.
What does Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan G cover?
Anthem’s Plan G covers everything that Original Medicare does not, except for the Medicare Part B deductible. It includes Part A deductibles, coinsurances, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing facility care, and foreign travel emergency care.
What distinguishes Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Plan N offers robust coverage but includes some copayments for doctor’s office visits and emergency room trips. It does not cover the Part B deductible or Part B excess charges.
How does Anthem Medicare Supplement Plan F differ from Plan G and Plan N?
Plan F is the most comprehensive of the three, covering all costs not included in Original Medicare, including the Part B deductible. However, as of 2020, it’s no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries.
Can I use Anthem Medicare Supplement plans with any doctor that accepts Medicare?
Yes, you can use Anthem Medicare Supplement plans with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. This provides flexibility in choosing healthcare providers.
Are prescription drugs covered under Anthem Medicare Supplement plans?
No, prescription drugs aren’t covered under Anthem Medigap plans. You would need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage.
Does the Anthem Medicare Supplement plan offer coverage for dental, vision, or hearing services?
Generally, Anthem Medicare Supplement plans do not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing services. However, you may have these services covered under some Anthem Medicare Advantage plans.
What costs do all Anthem Medicare Supplement plan cover?
All Anthem Medigap plans to cover Part A hospital coinsurance, up to 365 days after Medicare benefits run out, and Part B coinsurance or copayment.
What’s the average cost of Anthem Medicare Supplement plans?
The cost of Anthem Medigap plans can vary widely based on the specific plan, your age, your location, and whether you use tobacco. You can get quotes using the form above on our website.
Can I switch from one Anthem Medicare Supplement plan to another?
Yes, you can switch from one Anthem Medigap plan to another. However, you may have to go through medical underwriting after the initial enrollment period, and your acceptance may be based on your health status.
Start Searching for Anthem Medigap Plan G Insurance Today!
If you think that Medigap Plan G is the right choice for you and you would like to receive quotes from Anthem, just fill out the form to the right to receive instant quotes. If you have questions or would like to speak to a licensed agent directly, dial 1-888-891-0229 and we’ll be glad to assist you with all of your needs.
Updated June 6th, 2023