Medicare Supplement Plans in Alabama
More Plan Options
The average Alabama senior compares three or more plan options before making an enrollment decision.
Alabama Medigap Plans: What's the Difference?
Most seniors agree: Original Medicare, combined with one of the top 3 Alabama Medigap plans, offers the very best health care coverage seniors can get. But, which Medicare supplement is right for you?
The answer to that question is complex. What's best for you is very different than what's best for your spouse or your neighbor. It all comes down to your finances (what you can afford) and your health (how much risk you can take). At MedicareWire, we believe most seniors can narrow their search to three plans: F, G, and N. Read on and we'll explain why.
Related: Is Supplemental Medicare Insurance a Waste of Money?
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
Looking for a different plan? Compare all Medicare supplement plans here. You can also write a Medicare supplement review and let others know about a good or bad experience with a particular carrier. You can also find a Medicare Advantage plan available in your area and compare their rates and benefits.
Alabama Medicare Supplement Plan F Comparison Chart
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):
Alabama Medicare Supplement Plan G Comparison Chart
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):
Alabama Medicare Supplement Plan N Comparison Chart
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):
Best Alabama Medicare Supplement Plans Reviews
We review all major Medicare Supplement insurance carriers servicing Medigap policies in Alabama. Our reviews are unbiased. We use a balanced formula that looks at years in business, A.M. Best financial strength rating, plans serviced, plan premiums, and fees. Our current formula does not take rate increase history into account.
Our review of Medicare Supplement Plans in Alabama is based on a statewide analysis, not nationwide. We recommend consumers use our 5-star ratings as one aspect of their decision-making process. It helps compare insurance carriers at-a-glance.
How Much do Alabama Medigap Plans Cost?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid updates their supplemental cost information annually. We list sample monthly premiums for all Medigap Plans in Alabama. Premiums reviewed are samples based on a 65-year-old, non-smoking woman and include applicable household discounts. Use our review rates to compare insurance carriers. The rates your health insurance agent quotes will be based on where you live, your age, sex and use of tobacco products. Call 1-855-266-4865 to get quoteCall 1-855-266-4865 to speak with an agent and get a quote.
Medigap Plans in Alabama are Standardized
All Medicare Supplement insurance carriers in Alabama are required to follow both federal and state laws designed to protect you. All Medigap plans must be clearly identified as Medicare Supplement Insurance. Insurance companies must offer the standardized Medicare Plans identified by letters A through N. So, for example, a Plan F from Aetna has exactly the same health coverage as a Plan F from Mutual of Omaha. This is what makes Medigap plans easier to compare vs. an HMO or PPO style plan through Medicare Advantage.
NOTE: Medigap, Medicare Supplements, and Medicare Plans are all names used interchangeably for supplemental insurance that fills the gaps (i.e., copay, coinsurance, and other major medical expenses) in Original Medicare coverage.
Each of the lettered Medicare supplement insurance plans offers the core coverage provided by Plan A. Plans B through N have a varying range of additional coverage. This makes it easier to choose just the right amount of additional insurance you need to pay the gaps in your Medicare Parts A and B benefits.
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/.
Alabama Medigap Plan Comparison Chart
The comparison chart below shows the benefits offered by each standardized Medigap plan.
| 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.
Are Medigap Plans Better Than Medicare Advantage Plans in Alabama?
It's important to compare Medigap insurance with Medicare Advantage plans. At first glance, it looks like Medicare Advantage plans are less expensive and offer more benefits. But, you need to dig deeper to get to the truth. If you are simply comparing the monthly premiums, you may be in for a very big surprise with a Medicare Advantage plan in most areas of Alabama.
To really understand the difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans you need to look at total cost. It's true, Medicare Advantage plans have many advantages and disadvantages, but your out-of-pocket costs are not one of its advantages.
Getting Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D) with a Alabama Medigap Plan
To get your prescriptions covered with your Medigap policy, you need to buy a Medicare Part D plan. Basic plans start at less than $20 per month in most places.
If you are getting your Medicare benefits for the first time, you can enroll in a prescription drug plan as soon as you have both Part A and Part B. However, after your initial enrollment, you will need to wait until the Annual Election Period (AEP), also called the open enrollment period, to switch to a new plan. AEP is every Fall, starting 15 October and ending on 7 December.
WARNING: If you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D plan when you are first eligible, Medicare will penalize you with additional fees if you want to join a plan later on. So, even if you do not take regular medications, it pays to join a basic plan.
Still have questions about Medicare Supplement Insurance in Alabama?
Figuring out how to lower your health care costs by reducing your out-of-pocket costs is critical for most retirees. Try one of these topics:
- What are Medicare Supplement Plans?
- Best Medicare Supplement Plans
- Medicare Supplement Plans for Disabled Under 65
- Can I Change Medicare Supplement Plans Anytime?
- Medicare Supplement Plans With No Premiums
- How to Choose a Medicare Supplement Plan
Common Questions About Medigap Plans in Alabama
Here are some common questions we answer about Medicare Supplement plans in Alabama.
It's different for everyone who applies. Monthly premiums on Alabama Medigap plans are based on your age, gender, zip code, the plan you choose, and more. Use our free quote service to find the best rate on your plan.
Here are your top choices in Alabama:
- Thrivent
- Pekin Insurance
- AARP
- State Mutual Insurance
- Cigna
Unlike Medicare Advantage, there isn't an annual open enrollment period for Medicare Supplement plans. But, in many areas, you only have one chance to apply for a Alabama Medigap plan without having to answer any health questions. You can learn more here.
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/
Additional Foot Notes
[3] The sample premium is for a 65-year-old, non-smoking, woman living in Alabama. The rate was accurate on the 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.
[4] Review rating stars are derived from MedicareWire reviews on our Medigap Plan pages.
The Medicare Supplement information on this page originates from CMS Data Files, is maintained by David Bynon, and was last updated on .
