Arkansas's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
Arkansas 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 Arkansas, 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 Arkansas Medigap plans and insurance companies for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Arkansas 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.
- Arkansas 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 Arkansas, 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 5 Best Medicare Supplement Plans Sold in Arkansas
There are 10 different Medigap plans. Plans are labeled A through N and standardized by the federal Medicare program.
The best plans in Arkansas 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 Arkansas 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.
How to Choose the Best Medicare Supplement Plan in Arkansas
Individuals covered by Medicare have unique requirements. Your age, gender, Arkansas zip code, utilization of medical services, choice of healthcare providers, emergency care needs, as well as your requirements for supplies and durable medical equipment all contribute to the factors you should take into account.
These elements are essential as they significantly impact your available plan choices. It's crucial to thoroughly evaluate your outpatient and inpatient care needs as part of this consideration.
When Best = Most Comprehensive Coverage in Arkansas
Most Medicare experts agree Plan G is the optimal choice for Arkansas 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 Arkansas
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Arkansas
When Best = Excellent Protection & Cost-Effective Premiums
If you're enrolling in Medicare and find yourself in excellent health or in need of solid coverage but are concerned about the cost of Plan G, consider Medicare Supplement Plan N as a viable option. Plan N provides comprehensive coverage everywhere in Arkansas for inpatient hospital stays and most medical expenses.
Plan N is a suitable choice for healthy individuals due to its cost-sharing feature. In exchange for lower monthly premiums, beneficiaries in this plan are responsible for a modest copayment for doctor's office visits (up to $20) or emergency room visits (up to $50).
When Best = Lowest Cost Coverage in Arkansas
Not everyone in Arkansas needs or can afford comprehensive coverage. When your monthly premium amount is a concern, ask your insurance agent to advise you on Medicare Supplement Plan K and High Deductible Plan G (HDG).
These are the two lowest-cost plans available. Many savvy Arkansas seniors prefer these plan options over a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L, and M Offered in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic coverage option available. Interestingly, in many areas, its cost surpasses that of Plan N. Would you pay more to get less coverage?
While Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan D offer coverage similar to Plan G, they come with a higher price tag. Furthermore, akin to Plan F, Plan C is exclusively available to Arkansas beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's important to note that only a handful of insurance companies in Arkansas offer Plan L or Plan M. They rarely pan out as a good option.
Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield... What's the Difference?
Every Medigap insurance carrier operating in Arkansas must adhere to federal and state insurance regulations. They can't deviate from the standardized plans designated by letters A through N.
To give an example, a Plan F policy from Aetna Medicare provides identical coverage and benefits (same out-of-pocket costs covered) as a Plan F policy from Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, or Blue Cross Blue Shield. This standardization simplifies the process of comparing Medigap plans.
The most important difference is the strength and quality of insurance company standing behind the plan and how they rate their plan for premium increases. It's crucial to research a company's Medicare Supplement rate increase history before making a final decision.
Arkansas state laws may impose enrollment and rating limitations on carrier. For detailed information, refer to the Arkansas Department of Insurance website at http://www.arkansas.gov/insurance.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Arkansas
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Arkansas’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Arkansas based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Arkansas
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Arkansas 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 Arkansas based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Arkansas
All Medigap plans in Arkansas, 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 Arkansas
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 Arkansas based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Arkansas
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Arkansas 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 and Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
You can apply for Medigap coverage during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This six-month window starts when you enroll in Medicare Part B. Arkansas may have additional rules after your OEP ends.
Medicare eligibility rules grant you Medigap protections during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This means that, regardless of your health history or any chronic conditions, you can secure a Medicare Supplement Plan during this period from any insurance company that offers Medigap in Arkansas.
Enrolling in a Medigap plan in Arkansas typically involves consulting with a licensed insurance agent. If you don't already have one, we recommend reaching out to HealthCompare, an Allstate company, at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711). They have licensed agents nationwide, and there's no obligation.
Is a Medicare Supplement Right for You?
Consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan If:
- You anticipate the need for frequent healthcare services, both presently and in the future, and wish to limit deductibles and co-pays.
- You have the financial means to afford the monthly premiums associated with Medicare Supplement Insurance, and you do not qualify for Medicaid.
- You value the flexibility to select your healthcare providers and doctors under Medicare without any network restrictions.
- You require nationwide coverage or have plans to travel abroad.
- You are in your Initial Enrollment Period and possess guaranteed issue rights, enabling you to join a Medigap plan regardless of your current health condition.
- You prefer not to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to avoid the complexities of referrals and pre-authorization for healthcare services.
Consider Alternatives to a Medicare Supplement If:
- You do not anticipate needing frequent healthcare services at present 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 zero monthly premiums.
- You have Medicaid, TRICARE, VA benefits, retiree benefits, or other coverage options that cover most of your Medicare out-of-pocket expenses.
- You favor an HMO or PPO plan, coupled with a Part D prescription drug plan, Silver Sneakers, and routine dental, vision, and hearing care.
- You can comply with the rules and limitations of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Alternatives to Arkansas Medicare Supplement Plans
If you have determined that a Arkansas Medicare Supplement Plan is not the right fit for your needs, or if none of the 10 plan types align with your budget, there are several alternative options:
- Opt to stay with Original Medicare, add a Medicare Part D plan to get prescription drug coverage, and cover all Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments out-of-pocket. Please note: This approach carries significant financial risk, regardless of your current health status.
- If you meet the qualifications for both Medicare and Medicaid or have a serious health condition, consider enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.
- If you are enrolled in the VA health system, you can receive all your healthcare services from your nearest VA hospital. In such cases, the VA will bill Medicare and cover the remaining costs.
- Explore the option of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan featuring a low maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit and reasonable copayments.
As you explore these Medicare coverage alternatives, remember that the choice you make can have a significant impact on your healthcare and financial well-being. Take the time to assess your unique needs and preferences. Should you require further clarity or assistance in navigating the options available to you in Arkansas, don't hesitate to reach out to our preferred agency, HealthCompare, at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711).
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.
Get Your Free Medicare Supplement Rate Comparison
MedicareWire is a Medicare consulting agency. We are not insurance agents. Our job is to help people navigate Medicare without marketing interference.
Our free report will show you rates from all carriers without a sales pitch. No Calls. No Email Spam. No Kidding!
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