Pennsylvania's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania Medigap plans and insurance companies for 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Private insurance companies offer Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, and the coverage you choose.
- Medicare Supplements are not health insurance. They are indemnity insurance and have their own rules.
The Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania residents.
Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania
Everyone on Medicare has different needs. Your age, gender, Pennsylvania 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 = Most Coverage Available in Pennsylvania
Most insurance experts agree that Plan G is the best option in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Pennsylvania
When Best = Excellent Protection & Cost-Effective Premiums
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 Pennsylvania 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 = Most Affordable Coverage in Pennsylvania
Not everyone in Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania seniors prefer these plan options over a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L, and M Offered in Pennsylvania?
Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic plan sold in Pennsylvania. Even so, in many areas, it costs more than Plan N. Why would you pay more to get less?
Medicare Supplement Plan C and Plan D offer coverage similar to Plan G but also cost more. Plus, like Plan F, Plan C is only available to Pennsylvania beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare before 2020.
Only a few Pennsylvania insurance companies offer Plan L or Plan M.
Health Insurance Company vs. Life Insurance Company: Which is Best?
Every Medicare Supplement Insurance provider operating in Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania state laws may influence the plans offers, rating methods available, and enrollment qualification. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance website at http://www.pahealthoptions.com/ for more information.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Pennsylvania
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Pennsylvania’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Pennsylvania based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Pennsylvania
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Pennsylvania
All Medigap plans in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania
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 Pennsylvania based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Pennsylvania
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Pennsylvania 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
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. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania.
Enrolling in a Medigap plan in Pennsylvania 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 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 Pennsylvania Medicare Supplement Plans
If you have decided that a Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania, 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