Utah's Best Medicare Supplement Plans & Companies
If you're a resident of Utah 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 Utah, there are ten distinct plan options, each designed to cover various out-of-pocket expenses.
In this article, we delve into the top Utah Medigap plans and insurance companies for plan year 2024.
Table of Contents
What You Need to Know
- Private insurance companies offer Medicare Supplement Plans in Utah, 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 Utah 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 Utah, and the coverage you choose.
- Medicare Supplements are not health insurance. They are indemnity insurance and have their own rules.
The 5 Best Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah residents.
Understanding Your Medigap Plan Options in Utah
Everyone on Medicare has different needs. Your age, gender, Utah 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 Comprehensive Coverage in Utah
Most insurance experts agree that Plan G is the best option in Utah 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 Utah
- See All Companies Offering Plan G in Utah
When Best = Excellent Protection & Cost-Effective Premiums
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 Utah, 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 Utah
Comprehensive coverage isn't always necessary or affordable for everyone in Utah. 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 Utah over choosing a Medicare Advantage plan.
Are Plan A, B, C, D, L and M Available in Utah?
In Utah, 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 Utah beneficiaries who enrolled in Medicare prior to 2020.
It's important to note that only a handful of insurance companies in Utah 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 Utah 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 Utah state laws affect enrollment rules and how carriers can rate their plans. For more information, visit the Utah Department of Insurance website at http://www.insurance.utah.gov/.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Companies in Utah
Medicare Supplement Plan F (Medigap Plan F) is Utah’s most popular Medigap plan. Here are the 10 best companies that offer Plan F policies in Utah based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan F in Utah
Medigap Plan F is standardized like all Medicare Supplement Plans in Utah. 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 Utah
Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap Plan G) is rapidly gaining popularity with Utah 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 Utah based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan G in Utah
All Medigap plans in Utah, 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 Utah
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 Utah based on our reviews (click for details):
Required Benefits of Plan N in Utah
All Medicare Supplement Plans in Utah 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
In Utah, 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 Utah that sells Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement Plan in Utah 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?
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 Utah Medicare Supplement Plans
If you've determined that a Utah 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 Utah, 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