Alabama Medicare Supplement Plans 2019 Medigap Plans
Which Alabama Medicare Supplement is Best for Me?
Three out of four Alabama seniors agree: Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement give them the best health insurance coverage available. It all comes down to choice and control. But, which Medigap plan is best for you?
We're all different, and so are our health needs and budget. What's best for you is very different than what's best for your neighbors, or even your spouse. It all comes down to what you can afford and your health. That said, you can narrow your search to what's most popular, plans: F, G and N. Read on to learn why.
Top 10 Medicare Supplement Plans in Alabama
Looking for the best Plan F, G or N available to Alabama seniors?
- 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F
- 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan G
- 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan N
10 Best Medigap Plan F Policies in Alabama
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most popular Medigap plan available in Alabama. Here are the 10 best Plan F policies available in Alabama based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pekin Insurance | $122.21 | $25.00 |  |
| Thrivent | $124.73 | $25.00 | |
| AARP | $127.21 | None | |
| State Mutual Insurance | $123.71 | $25.00 |  |
| Cigna | $125.48 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $134.27 | None | |
| Globe Life | $147.00 | None | |
| United American | $195.00 | None | |
| Aetna | $126.37 | $20.00 |  |
| Bankers Fidelity | $127.36 | $25.00 | |
10 Best Medigap Plan G Policies in Alabama
Medicare Supplement Plan G is rapidly gaining popularity among Alabama seniors. With Plan F going away in 2020, it is expected to be the new gold standard. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan G policies available in Alabama based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrivent | $98.50 | $25.00 | |
| Pekin Insurance | $101.06 | $25.00 | |
| AARP | $107.74 | None | |
| State Mutual Insurance | $98.20 | $25.00 | |
| Cigna | $104.32 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $111.01 | None | |
| Globe Life | $131.00 | None | |
| United American | $168.00 | None | |
| Everest | $99.98 | $25.00 | |
| Western United Life | $104.08 | $25.00 | |
| NOTE: Medigap Plan G is identical to Plan F, with one exception. A Plan G policy does not pay your Medicare Part B annual deductible. In many cases the annual cost of Plan G makes it a better deal. | |||
Compare Plan Rates
The average Alabama senior compares three or more quotes before making an enrollment decision.
10 Best Medigap Plan N Policies in Alabama
Medicare Supplement Plan N is similar to Plan D, but covers Medicare Part B coinsurance costs differently. Due to its lower cost and good coverage, it's catching the attention of many Alabama seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in Alabama based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrivent | $83.20 | $25.00 | |
| Pekin Insurance | $84.16 | $25.00 | |
| AARP | $85.02 | None | |
| State Mutual Insurance | $86.52 | $25.00 | |
| Cigna | $88.61 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $94.47 | None | |
| Globe Life | $111.00 | None | |
| United American | $131.00 | None | |
| Aetna | $84.97 | $20.00 | |
| Everest | $85.88 | $25.00 | |
| NOTE: With Medigap Plan N, 100% of your Part B coinsurance is covered, except up to a $20 copayment for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. | |||
Medicare Supplemental Insurance Reviews
We evaluate all Medicare Supplement (Medigap) companies servicing policies in Alabama. Our reviews are unbiased. We use a mathematical formula that considers years in business, A.M. Best financial strength rating, plans serviced, plan premiums and fees. We do not evaluate rate increase history, so be sure to ask you agent to provide this information.
We review Medicare Supplement Plans in Alabama head-to-head, statewide. We recommend consumers use our 5-star ratings as one aspect of their decision making process. It helps compare insurance carriers at-a-glance.
Medigap Rates (Premiums)
We list monthly premiums for all Medigap plans offered by Medicare Supplement carriers in Alabama. Rates are samples based on a 65 year old, non-smoking woman and include applicable household discounts. Use our rates for comparison purposes only. Your actual rate will be based on where you live, your age, sex and use of tobacco products.
Medigap Plans are Standardized Medicare Supplements
The Alabama Department of Insurance and the federal government have worked together to standardize Medicare supplemental insurance policies. Insurance companies must clearly identify plans as Medicare Supplement Insurance and each Medicare Plan must use a standardized letter code, A through N. Each lettered plan offers the same benefits, regardless of the carrier offering it. Only the rates are different.
NOTE: Medigap, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Plans are all names used interchangeably for supplemental insurance that fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
Each of the lettered Medicare supplement insurance plans offer the core coverage provided by Plan A. Plans B through N have a varying range of additional coverage. This way you can choose an appropriate policy based on the amount of insurance you need.
Insurance companies are free to choose the policies they offer, although Alabama state laws might affect which ones they can offer. Carriers offering Medicare Plans:
- Don't have to offer every Medigap plan
- Must offer Medigap Plan A if they offer any Medigap policy
- Must also offer Plan C or Plan F if they offer any plan
For more information, visit the Alabama Department of Insurance website at http://www.aldoi.gov/.
Is Medicare Supplement Plan F the Best Medicare Plan in Alabama?
Even though Medicare Plan F is the most expensive, it is the most popular. More than half of all Alabama seniors with Medigap coverage choose Plan F. The overwhelming reason is that it offers peace-of-mind with complete inpatient and outpatient gap coverage.
IMPORTANT: If you need the financial protection of Plan F, you must buy a policy prior to January 2020. Congress voted to do away with Medicare Supplement Plan F. Insurance carriers are no longer able to sell these polices after December 31, 2019.
RELATED: Medicare Plan F: What Does this Medicare Supplement Offer?
Is the AARP Medicare Supplement the Best in Alabama?
This is one of the most common questions we're asked. AARP Medicare Supplements, which are underwritten by United Healthcare, offer the exact same coverage as standardized plans offered by other Medigap insurance carriers. The big difference is the monthly premium.
In our experience, AARP Medigap Plans are typically more expensive than average, and is often the most expensive. However, United Healthcare has a large number of hospitals under contract, allowing them to offer Medicare SELECT policies at better rates than standard Medicare Supplements. This allows them to be very competitive on rates if you agree to use a specific hospital.
The most popular AARP Medicare Supplements are Plan F, Plan G and Plan N. The comparison chart below highlights the difference in coverage.
Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison Chart
The following Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison Chart offers a quick look at the benefits provided by each Medigap policies.
| Medigap Benefits | A | B | C | D | F* | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A Coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefifits are used up | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes** |
| Blood (First 3 Pints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Medicare Part A Deductible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | Yes |
| Medicare Part B Deductible | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Medicare Part B Excess Charges | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (Up to Plan Limits) | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Out-of-Pocket Limit*** | None | None | None | None | None | None | $5,240 | $2,620 | None | None |
* Medicare Plan F also offers a high-deductible plan. If you choose this option, this means you must pay for Medicare-covered costs up to the deductible amount of $2,240 before your Medigap plan pays anything.
** Medicare Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.
*** After you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.
Med Supp vs Medicare Advantage
Considering a Medicare Advantage plan as a lower cost alternative to Medicare Plan F? For many Alabama seniors, Medigap vs Medicare Advantage is a tough choice. Here's our advice.
First, understand the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans available in Alabama. Medicare Supplement insurance fills gaps in your Original Medicare benefits. Medicare Advantage replaces your Original Medicare benefits with managed care.
Second, if you want the most choices and flexibility, Original Medicare combined with a Medigap plan and a Alabama Medicare Part D plan is the way to go.
RELATED: Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Which Is Best?
Need Local Help?
The State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) provide free, one-on-one insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare beneficiaries, their families and caregivers. The Alabama SHIP is a grant-funded project of the federal U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). You can reach them by phone or on their website:
- 1-800-AGE-LINE (1-800-243-5463)
- http://www.alabamaageline.gov/
Looking for Insurance Carrier Contact Information?
Disclaimers
The Medicare Supplement Insurance data on MedicareWire.com comes from Medicare.gov, CMS.gov and private sources and is subject to change. CMS has neither reviewed nor endorsed the information on this site.
The MedicareWire.com website is available for educational purposes. Our goal is to present information about senior health insurance accurately and without bias, based on our interpretation of factual information. However, this site is not intended as a substitute for legal, health, or financial advice from a licensed professional. On this page we help consumers:
Compare 2019 Medicare Supplement Plans in Alabama. Get rates and reviews, including Plan F, G, and N. Find the best Medigap Plans in Alabama at the lowest cost available. Get an AARP Med Supp plan, guaranteed issue, if you're turning age 65.
MedicareWire.com is an independent research, technology and publishing organization. We are not affiliated with Medicare, Medicare plans, insurance carriers, or healthcare providers, nor are we compensated for Medicare plan enrollments.
Trademarks
The logos and brand names used on this page are legal U.S. trademarks. We make no claim to the marks whatsoever, nor do we claim to represent the brands, products or services presented. We use brand names and logos on this page for editorial purposes only, as permitted by U.S. Trademark Fair Use Law and the Great State of Alabama.
Foot Notes
[1] Sample premium is for a 65 year old, non smoking, woman living in Alabama. The rate was accurate on date of publication. Rates change frequently and they are priced by county. You must contact a licensed agent to get a current rate for your situation.
[2] Review rating stars are derived from MedicareWire reviews on our Medigap Plan pages.
This page is maintained by David Bynon and was last updated on .