North Carolina's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
North Carolina residents enrolled in Original Medicare have the option to enhance their Part A and Part B coverage by choosing from a range of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans. In North Carolina, there are ten distinct plan options, each designed to cover varying out-of-pocket expenses.
In this article, we provide an in-depth analysis of the top North Carolina Medigap plans and insurance companies for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- North Carolina Medigap plans are offered by private insurance companies, not the government.
- There are 10 different plan options available, labeled A through N, each providing a different level of Medicare coverage.
- North Carolina residents become eligible for Medigap coverage at age 65.
- All plans offer coverage for Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Medicare Part B copayments or coinsurance, and the first three pints of blood.
- Most plans also cover the Medicare Part A deductible and Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance.
- It's important to note that Medigap does not cover long-term care, vision, dental, hearing aids, or private-duty nursing.
- The average costs for a 65-year-old can vary significantly based on factors such as gender, tobacco use, your location in North Carolina, and the level of coverage you select.
- Medigap policies are not classified as health insurance; they fall under indemnity insurance and operate under their own set of rules.
The Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina
There are 10 different Medigap plans. Plans are labeled A through N and standardized by the federal Medicare program.
The best plans in North Carolina for the 2024 plan year are Medicare Supplement Plan F, Plan C, Plan D, Plan G, and Plan N. They are the best because they offer the most coverage.
But is one of these plans the best for you?
A good way to understand each of the 10 plans is to look at a Medigap plan chart, which shows how each plan helps North Carolina residents pay their Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
NOTE: Medicare Part A and Medigap Plan A sound similar. However, they are different, as are Medicare Part D and Medigap Plan D. Medicare organizes its benefits in “parts,” whereas private insurance companies sell “plans.” The topics are easily confused.
Understanding Your Medigap Plan Options in North Carolina
Every Medicare beneficiary has unique requirements. Your age, gender, North Carolina zip code, utilization of medical services, preferred healthcare providers, emergency care needs, and necessities for medical supplies and durable equipment all contribute to the factors you must consider.
These factors play a significant role in determining your available plan options. It's essential to carefully assess your needs for outpatient and inpatient care when deciding.
When Best = Most Coverage Available in North Carolina
Most Medicare experts agree Plan G is the optimal choice for North Carolina beneficiaries enrolling in Medicare with one or more chronic health conditions. It provides the highest level of coverage available for those who become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
IMPORTANT: While offering more extensive coverage than Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan F comes with a notably higher cost and is exclusively available to those who qualified for Medicare before 2020.
- Get Plan F and Plan G Quotes in Your Zip Code
- See All Companies Offering Plan F in North Carolina
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in North Carolina
When Best = Good Coverage & Monthly Savings
If you are enrolling in Medicare and find yourself in excellent health or require solid coverage but have budget constraints that prevent you from considering Plan G, Medicare Supplement Plan N presents a viable alternative. Plan N provides comprehensive coverage throughout North Carolina for inpatient hospital stays and most medical expenses.
Plan N is particularly suitable for individuals in good health because it involves cost-sharing. In return for lower monthly premiums, participants in this plan contribute a nominal copayment. For doctor office visits there's a $20 copay. If you use the emergency room you'll pay up to $50.
When Best = Cheapest Plan Available in North Carolina
Many North Carolina beneficiaries don't require comprehensive coverage or simply can't manage it in their budget. If you're concerned about the monthly premium burden, consult with your insurance agent regarding Medicare Supplement Plan K and the High Deductible Plan G (HDG).
RELATED: How Does High Deductible Plan G Work?
These two plan options represent the most economical choices available. Many well-informed North Carolina seniors prefer these plans over a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L and M Available in North Carolina?
Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic plan sold in North Carolina. Even so, in many areas, it costs more than Plan N. Why would you pay more to get less?
Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan D offer coverage similar to Plan G but also cost more. Plus, like Plan F, Plan C is only available to North Carolina beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare before 2020.
Only a few North Carolina insurance companies offer Plan L or Plan M.
Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield... What's the Difference?
Every Medicare Supplement Insurance provider operating in North Carolina is bound by federal and state insurance regulations. They are required to offer the standardized Medigap plans identified by letters A through N.
For example, a Plan F policy from Aetna Medicare covers the same out-of-pocket costs as a Plan F policy from Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, or Blue Cross Blue Shield. This standardization simplifies the comparison of Medigap plans, setting them apart from the variability often found in Medicare Advantage plans.
The crucial difference is the financial strength and quality of the carrier and how they rate their plan for annual premium increases. It's critical to do your research and get the rate increase history on the company you're considering.
North Carolina state laws may influence the plans offers, rating methods available, and enrollment qualification. Visit the North Carolina Department of Insurance website at http://www.ncdoi.com/ for more information.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in North Carolina
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is North Carolina’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in North Carolina
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina. Insurance carriers are required to cover certain benefits. Plan F is the most comprehensive plan because it covers all gaps in Original Medicare.
Although Original Medicare does not cover foreign travel medical emergencies, Plan F does (up to 89%). In addition to this extra benefit, companies may offer limited additional features. One example is Physician Mutual’s Preventive Care and Hearing Loss Testing benefits.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Companies in North Carolina
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with North Carolina seniors. With Plan F no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries, Plan G is the new gold standard. Here are the 10 best insurance companies that offer Medigap Plan G policies in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in North Carolina
All Medigap plans in North Carolina, including Medigap Plan G, are standardized. Insurance companies must provide the standard coverage. Plan G covers all gaps in Original Medicare except the Part B deductible. And it only covers 80% of foreign travel medical emergencies that fall within your policy’s limits.
Companies may offer additional features like UnitedHealthcare’s fitness program, Renew Active, or the Silver Sneakers fitness program.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Companies in North Carolina
Medicare Supplement Plan N is similar to Plan D (not to be confused with Medicare Part D) but covers Medicare Part B coinsurance costs differently. Due to its lower cost and good coverage, it's catching the attention of many Arizona seniors. Here are the 10 best insurance companies that offer Medigap Plan N policies in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in North Carolina
All Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina are standardized, including Medigap Plan N. Like Plan G, Plan N does not cover the Part B deductible. It also does not cover Part B excess charges. But it does cover 80% of foreign travel medical emergencies up to the policy’s limits.
Medicare limits the types of extra benefits companies can offer. One excellent additional benefit is UnitedHealthcare’s NurseLine, which lets you talk to an experienced nurse, day or night.
Medicare Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Plans
You can apply for Medigap coverage in North Carolina during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). Your OEP is a six-month period that begins when you enroll in Medicare Part B. Your Medicare eligibility date will determine which plan types are available to you.
Federal law grants you guaranteed issue rights during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. You can get a Medicare Supplement Plan during this period, regardless of your health history and chronic health conditions. You cannot be turned down, and you can go with the company of your choice, so long as they sell policies in North Carolina.
North Carolina Medigap plan enrollees require the assistance of a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have an insurance agent, we recommend HealthCompare, an Allstate company. Call them at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711). They work with all of the top North Carolina insurance companies. There's no obligation.
Is a Medicare Supplement Right for You?
When a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan May Be a Good Fit:
- You anticipate needing frequent healthcare services now or in the future and prefer to limit your deductibles and co-pays.
- You have the financial means to comfortably afford the monthly premiums associated with Medicare Supplement Insurance and do not qualify for Medicaid.
- You value the freedom to choose your healthcare providers and doctors without the constraints of network restrictions.
- You require nationwide coverage and/or plan to travel abroad.
- You are in your Initial Enrollment Period, granting you guaranteed issue rights to enroll in a Medigap plan, regardless of your current health condition.
- You want to avoid the constraints, referrals, and pre-authorization requirements associated with Medicare Advantage plans.
When You May Want to Consider Alternatives to a Medicare Supplement:
- You do not anticipate the need for frequent healthcare services now or in the future.
- You missed your Medigap open enrollment period and cannot pass medical underwriting to obtain your preferred Medigap policy.
- You prefer a Medicare Advantage plan with low or no monthly premiums.
- You already have Medicaid, TRICARE, VA benefits, retiree benefits, or other coverage options that cover most of your Medicare out-of-pocket expenses.
- You are interested in an HMO or PPO plan with a Part D prescription drug plan, Silver Sneakers, and routine dental, vision, and hearing care.
- You are comfortable adhering to the rules and limitations of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Alternatives to North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plans
If you've determined that a North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan isn't the best choice for your situation, or if none of the 10 plan types align with your budget, you have several alternative options to consider:
- You can choose to stick with Original Medicare, add a Medicare Part D plan to cover prescription drugs, and be responsible for all Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments out-of-pocket.
- If you meet the qualifications for both Medicare and Medicaid or have a serious health condition, enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan may be the best alternative.
- For individuals with VA health benefits, using healthcare services exclusively from the nearest VA hospital is an option. In such cases, the VA will bill Medicare and cover the remaining costs.
- Consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit and affordable deductibles and copayments.
Your Medicare coverage decision is a crucial one, and it can greatly influence your healthcare and financial stability. It's essential to evaluate your individual requirements and priorities carefully. If you find yourself seeking more information or guidance on the choices accessible to you in North Carolina, don't hesitate to reach out to our preferred agency, HealthCompare, at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711). They can provide personalized support, ensuring that you make an informed choice that aligns with your unique healthcare needs and preferences.
Next Steps
The next step is to get a FREE Medigap Rate Comparison Report. It will arm you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision.
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If you would prefer to speak with an agent, our preferred, nationwide agency is HealthCompare, an Allstate company. Give them a call at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711).
Citations & References
- Costs of Medigap policies, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023
- What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023
- Find a Medigap policy that works for you, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023
- How to compare Medigap policies, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023
- How Original Medicare works, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023
- Your Medicare coverage choices, Medicare.gov, Last Accessed October 4, 2023