Maryland's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
Maryland residents on Original Medicare can supplement their Part A and Part B coverage with Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap plans). There are ten different plan options available in Maryland. Each plan pays different out-of-pocket costs.
This article breaks down the best Medigap plans and insurance companies in Maryland for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Private insurance companies offer supplemental Medicare insurance in Maryland, not the government.
- Supplemental Medicare insurance is available in 10 different plan options, labeled A through N, each providing a different level of Medicare coverage.
- Maryland residents become eligible for supplemental Medicare insurance 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 Medicare Supplement Insurance 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 Maryland, and the level of coverage you select.
- A Medicare Supplement Plan is not classified as health insurance; it falls under indemnity insurance and operates under its own set of rules.
The 5 Best Maryland Medigap Plans
There are ten different Medicare Supplement Plans. These plans are labeled A through N and are standardized by the federal Medicare program.
The top-rated plans in Maryland for 2024 include Medicare Supplement Plan F, Plan C, Plan D, Plan G, and Plan N. They are considered the best because they provide the most extensive coverage.
Which one of these plans is the best choice for you?
HELPFUL READING: Medicare Plan G vs Plan N: Which is Better?
An easy way to quickly understand the ten plans is to refer to a Medigap plan chart. This chart illustrates how each policy helps cover the Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) for Maryland residents.
Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans in Maryland
Every Medicare beneficiary has unique requirements. Your age, gender, Maryland 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 = Maximum Coverage Throughout Maryland
Most insurance experts agree that Plan G is the best option in Maryland if you are signing up for Medicare with one or more chronic health issues. It offers the most coverage you can buy if you qualify for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
NOTE: Plan F offers more coverage than Medicare Supplement Plan G, but it costs significantly more, and it is only available if you qualify for Medicare before 2020.
- Get Plan F and Plan G Quotes in Your Zip Code
- See All Companies Offering Plan F in Maryland
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Maryland
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 Maryland 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 = Lowest Cost Coverage in Maryland
Many Maryland 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 Maryland seniors prefer these plans over a Medicare Advantage plan.
Does Maryland have Plan A, B, C, D, L and M?
Medicare Supplement Plan A represents the most fundamental coverage available. Surprisingly, in many areas of Maryland, its cost exceeds that of Plan N. Why pay more for less?
Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan D provide coverage similar to Plan G but come at a higher cost. Additionally, similar to Plan F, Plan C is exclusively accessible to Maryland beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's worth noting that only a select few insurance companies in Maryland offer Plan L or Plan M.
Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield... What's the Difference?
Every Medigap insurance carrier operating in Maryland 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.
Maryland state laws may impose enrollment and rating limitations on carrier. For detailed information, refer to the Maryland Department of Insurance website at http://www.mdinsurance.state.md.us/.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Maryland
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Maryland’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Maryland based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Maryland
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Maryland. 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 Maryland
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Maryland 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 Maryland based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Maryland
All Medigap plans in Maryland, 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 Maryland
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 Maryland based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Maryland
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Maryland 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 in Maryland 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 Maryland.
Maryland 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 Maryland insurance companies. There's no obligation.
Is a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan 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 Maryland Medicare Supplement Plans
If you've determined that a Maryland 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 Maryland, 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.
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