New Hampshire's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire Medigap plans and insurance companies for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- New Hampshire 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.
- New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Every Medicare beneficiary has unique requirements. Your age, gender, New Hampshire 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 Comprehensive Coverage in New Hampshire
Most insurance experts agree that Plan G is the best option in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in New Hampshire
When Best = Good Coverage & Monthly Savings
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 New Hampshire, 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 = Most Affordable Coverage in New Hampshire
Not everyone in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire seniors prefer these plan options over a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L and M Available in New Hampshire?
In New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's important to note that only a handful of insurance companies in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire 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.
New Hampshire state laws may impose enrollment and rating limitations on carrier. For detailed information, refer to the New Hampshire Department of Insurance website at http://www.nh.gov/insurance/.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in New Hampshire
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is New Hampshire’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in New Hampshire based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in New Hampshire
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire. 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 New Hampshire
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in New Hampshire
All Medigap plans in New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire
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 New Hampshire based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in New Hampshire
All Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire 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.
Medcare Eligibility for Medigap Plans
You can apply for Medigap coverage in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire.
New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire insurance companies. 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 New Hampshire Medicare Supplement Plans
If you've determined that a New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire, 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
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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