Medicare Supplement Plans in California

California is beloved for its beautiful vistas, popular attractions, and diverse geography.

It’s also home to the largest population of Medicare beneficiaries.

Millions of Californians receive their health insurance through the government-funded program, and a large percentage of those beneficiaries are enrolled in Original Medicare.

If you’re already enrolled in or are planning on enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B, Medicare Supplement Insurance can help to offset your out-of-pocket expenses and make the cost of your health insurance more manageable.

There are 10 Medicare Supplement plans available in California.

As such, you’ll be able to access high-quality coverage, no matter where you live in the Golden State.

• What are the most popular Medicare Supplement insurance plans in California for 2024?
• How do you decide which option to will best suit your needs?
• How do you enroll in supplemental insurance coverage for Medicare?

To make the most informed decision and ensure that you make the right choice, keep on reading.

Original Medicare features two separate components: Part A pays for inpatient medical care and services, while Part B covers the cost of outpatient health-related care and services.

While Original Medicare does cover a lot, it doesn’t cover everything, and beneficiaries are responsible for the remaining costs; copays, coinsurance, and copayments, for example.

As you can imagine, these expenses can really add up.

Medicare Supplement Insurance is designed to cover some of the remaining expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

There are 10 different Medicare Supplement plans (also known as Medigap). These plans are named after letters and are sold by private health insurance companies.

Different lettered plans offer different benefits, but the same lettered plans must provide the same Medicare-approved coverage; for example, all Plan A Medigap plans have to offer the same standard benefits, no matter where they’re purchased or what insurance company they’re purchased from.

What Are the Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans in California?

As mentioned, all 10 standardized Medigap plans are available in California; however, there are three distinct plans that are the most popular among Californians: Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N.

In fact, these three plans are the most popular among the more than 27 percent of Medicare Supplement enrollees in the state.

Medigap Plan F

Of the 10 Medigap policies, Plan F covers the most out-of-pocket expenses, which is why it is one of the most popular supplemental insurance plans among Original Medicare beneficiaries.

This plan covers a lot of what Medicare Part A and Part B don’t cover, including:

• The deductible for Part A
• Copayments and coinsurance for Part A hospice care
• Coinsurance and hospital expenses for Part A with an extra 365 days beyond when your Medicare benefits have been used up
• The deductible for Part B
• Copayments and coinsurance for Part B
• Part B excess charges
• Three pints of blood for transfusions that are needed for medical procedures
• Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
• Medical treatment that is provided in emergency situations within the first 60 days of traveling abroad

While Part F offers the most coverage of all Medigap policies, eligibility is limited. Those who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020 cannot purchase this plan.

If you had this plan prior to this date, you can continue using it, and if you were eligible for Medicare before the beginning of 2020 but haven’t enrolled for benefits yet, you might be able to purchase it.

Medigap Plan G

Medigap Plan G is also very popular among Original Medicare beneficiaries who reside in California.

This plan is considered an alternative to Plan F, as it offers all the same coverage, minus the deductible for Part B.

As such, if you purchase Medicare Supplement Plan G, you will have coverage for the following out-of-pocket expenses:

• The deductible for Part A
• Copayments and coinsurance for Part A hospice care
• Coinsurance and hospital expenses for Part A with an extra 365 days beyond when your Medicare benefits have been used up
• Copayments and coinsurance for Part B
• Part B excess charges
• Three pints of blood for transfusions that are needed for medical procedures
• Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
• Medical treatment that is provided in emergency situations within the first 60 days of traveling abroad

Medigap Plan N

Medigap Plan N is designed for those who want to pay lower premiums for their Medicare Supplement Insurance in exchange for paying copays.

Plan N is ideal for Medicare beneficiaries who don’t foresee needing a lot of health-related services or care.

This plan provides the following coverage:

• The deductible for Part A
• Copayments and coinsurance for Part A hospice care
• Coinsurance and hospital expenses for Part A with an extra 365 days beyond when your Medicare benefits have been used up
• Coinsurance for Part B
• Three pints of blood for transfusions that are needed for medical procedures
• Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
• Medical treatment that is provided in emergency situations within the first 60 days of traveling abroad

For copayments, you’ll need to pay up to $20 for each office visit and up to $50 for each ER visit (if you aren’t admitted).

To choose the best Medicare Supplement Insurance in California, there are several factors that you should take into consideration.

Your current health status, as well as your medical history, are key factors that you’ll want to consider; for example, if you have a pre-existing condition that requires regular medical care, Plan G may be a better option for you than Plan N, as your copays for doctor visits will be covered.

You’ll also want to consider your budget, as one of the main objectives of purchasing Medigap insurance is to make your Medicare out-of-pocket expenses more manageable.

Weighing your options and comparing plans from several health insurance companies is also highly recommended.

Some of the most popular Medigap insurers in California include Cigna, Anthem Blue Cross, and AARP/United Healthcare.

To start comparing quotes from the most reputable California health insurance companies, submit the form to the right or give us a call at 1-888-891-0229 to speak with one of our agents directly.