Hawaii's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
Hawaii 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 Hawaii, 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 Hawaii Medigap plans and insurance companies for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Private insurance companies offer Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii, not the government.
- Medicare Supplements are available in 10 different plan options, labeled A through N. Each plan offers a different level of Medicare coverage.
- Medicare Supplements are available to Hawaii residents 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 cover the Medicare Part A deductible and Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance.
- Medicare Supplements do not cover long-term care, vision, dental, hearing aids, or private-duty nursing.
- Average costs for a 65-year-old vary widely based on gender, tobacco use, where you live in Hawaii, and the coverage you choose.
- Medicare Supplements are not health insurance. They are indemnity insurance and have their own rules.
The 5 Best Hawaii Medigap Plans
There are 10 different Medigap plans. Plans are labeled A through N and standardized by the federal Medicare program.
The best plans in Hawaii 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 Hawaii 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.
Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii
Everyone on Medicare has different needs. Your age, gender, Hawaii zip code, use of medical services, providers, emergency care, supplies, and durable medical equipment are all factors you need to consider.
That's because all of these things play a role in your plan options. Carefully consider your need for outpatient care and inpatient care.
When Best = Maximum Coverage Throughout Hawaii
Most Medicare insurance experts in Hawaii will tell you that opting for Plan G is the wisest decision if you're enrolling in Medicare with one or more chronic health conditions. This plan offers the most extensive coverage available for those who qualify for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
CRUCIAL: While Plan F provides slightly more coverage than Medicare Supplement Plan G, it comes at a significantly higher cost and is only available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare before 2020.
- Get Plan F and Plan G Quotes in Your Zip Code
- See All Companies Offering Plan F in Hawaii
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Hawaii
When Best = Robust Coverage & Monthly Budget Benefits
If you are signing up for Medicare in excellent health or need good coverage but can't handle the cost of a Plan G policy in Hawaii, Medicare Supplement Plan N is a good option. Plan N offers comprehensive inpatient coverage for hospital stays while also covering most medical care out-of-pocket costs.
Plan N is a good option for healthy individuals because there’s cost-sharing. In exchange for lower monthly premiums, enrollees in this plan pay a small copay for doctor office visits (up to $20) or use the emergency room (up to $50).
When Best = Cheapest Plan Available in Hawaii
Comprehensive coverage isn't always necessary or affordable for everyone in Hawaii. If you're concerned about your monthly premium expenses, consider seeking advice from your insurance agent regarding Medicare Supplement Plan K and the High Deductible Plan G (HDG).
ALSO SEE: High Deductible Plan G: Is It Right For You?
These two options are the most cost-effective plans available, and they are favored by many informed seniors in Hawaii over choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L and M Available in Hawaii?
In Hawaii, 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 Hawaii beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's important to note that only a handful of insurance companies in Hawaii offer Plan L or Plan M. They rarely pan out as a good option.
Health Insurance Company vs. Life Insurance Company: Which is Best?
Every Medicare Supplement Insurance provider operating in Hawaii 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.
Hawaii state laws may influence the plans offers, rating methods available, and enrollment qualification. Visit the Hawaii Department of Insurance website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins for more information.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Hawaii
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Hawaii’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Hawaii
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii. 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 Hawaii
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Hawaii 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 Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Hawaii
All Medigap plans in Hawaii, 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 Hawaii
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 Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Hawaii
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii 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
In Hawaii, you have the opportunity to apply for a Medicare Supplement Plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This six-month period commences upon your enrollment in Medicare Part B. Your Medicare eligibility date determines your available plan types.
Under federal law, you are granted guaranteed issue rights throughout your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This means you can secure a Medigap plan during this period, regardless of your health history or chronic health conditions. You can apply with any insurance company in Hawaii that sells Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan in Hawaii typically involves assistance from a licensed insurance agent. If you don't have an insurance agent, we recommend HealthCompare, an Allstate company. You can reach them at 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711). They sell policies from the leading insurance companies nationwide, and there's no obligation.
Is a Medicare Supplement Right for You?
Why You Should Consider a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan:
- You expect the need for frequent healthcare services now and/or in the future and want to limit your deductibles and co-pays.
- You can afford the monthly premiums of Medicare Supplement Insurance and don't qualify for Medicaid.
- You want the freedom to choose your doctors and other Medicare providers without network restrictions.
- You need nationwide coverage and/or travel abroad.
- You are in your Initial Enrollment Period and have guaranteed issue rights to join a Medigap plan regardless of your health condition.
- You don’t want a Medicare Advantage plan and the hassle of referrals and pre-authorization to receive healthcare services.
Explore Alternatives to a Medicare Supplement When:
- You don’t expect the need for frequent healthcare now or in the future.
- You missed your Medigap open enrollment period and cannot pass medical underwriting to get the Medigap policy you want.
- You want a Medicare Advantage plan with low or no monthly premiums.
- You have Medicaid, TRICARE, VA, retiree benefits, or other coverage options that will pay for most of your Medicare out-of-pocket expenses.
- You prefer an HMO or PPO plan with a Part D prescription drug plan, Silver Sneakers, and routine dental, vision, and hearing care.
- You can adhere to the rules and restrictions of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Alternatives to Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plans
If you have decided that a Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plan is not right for you, or that none of the 10 plan types works with your budget, there are several options:
- Stick with Original Medicare, add a Medicare Part D plan for prescription drug coverage, and pay all Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copays costs out-of-pocket. NOTE: This is very risky, no matter how healthy you are.
- If you qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, or have a serious health condition, enroll in a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan.
- If you have VA health benefits, get all of your healthcare from your nearest VA hospital. When you do, the VA will bill Medicare and pay the remainder.
- Enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan with a low maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limit and reasonable copayments.
It's important to carefully weigh your options and consider your unique healthcare needs when deciding on the right path for your Medicare coverage. Each choice comes with its own advantages and considerations. If you require further guidance or have questions about the options available to you in Hawaii, 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