Mississippi's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
If you're a resident of Mississippi currently enrolled in Original Medicare, you have the option to bolster your Part A and Part B coverage with Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap plans). In Mississippi, there are ten distinct plan options, each designed to cover various out-of-pocket expenses.
In this article, we delve into the top Mississippi Medigap plans and insurance companies for plan year 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Mississippi 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.
- Mississippi 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 Mississippi, 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 Mississippi
There are 10 different Medigap plans. Plans are labeled A through N and standardized by the federal Medicare program.
The best plans in Mississippi 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 Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Every Medicare beneficiary has unique requirements. Your age, gender, Mississippi 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 Mississippi
Most Medicare insurance experts in Mississippi 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 Mississippi
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Mississippi
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 Mississippi, 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 = Lowest Cost Coverage in Mississippi
Comprehensive coverage isn't always necessary or affordable for everyone in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi over choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L, and M Offered in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, 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 Mississippi beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's important to note that only a handful of insurance companies in Mississippi 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 company in Mississippi must follow federal and state insurance laws. Carriers must offer the standardized Medicare plans identified by letters A through N.
For instance, a Plan F from Aetna Medicare has the same out-of-pocket cost coverage and benefits as a Plan F policy from Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Humana, Cigna, or Blue Cross Blue Shield. This is why Medigap plans are easier to compare than Medicare Advantage plans.
The big difference is the company standing behind the plan and how the company rates their plan for future premium increases. It's important to get a company's Medigap rate increase history before making a decision.
In some cases Mississippi state laws affect enrollment rules and how carriers can rate their plans. For more information, visit the Mississippi Department of Insurance website at http://www.mid.ms.gov/.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Mississippi
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Mississippi’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Mississippi based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Mississippi
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Mississippi. 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 Mississippi
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Mississippi 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 Mississippi based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Mississippi
All Medigap plans in Mississippi, 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 Mississippi
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 Mississippi based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Mississippi
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Mississippi 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. Mississippi 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 Mississippi.
Enrolling in a Medigap plan in Mississippi 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 Mississippi Medicare Supplement Plans
If you have determined that a Mississippi 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 Mississippi, 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