Find the Best Medigap Plans Available in Hawaii for 2021

Hawaii Medigap Plans: What's the Difference?

When talking about Original MedicareOriginal Medicare is private fee-for-service health insurance for people on Medicare. It has two parts. Part A is hospital coverage. Part B is medical coverage.... and getting additional coverage, your best option in Hawaii is a Medicare supplement. It all comes down to choice and control. But, which 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.

Related: What is the Average Cost of Supplemental Insurance for Medicare?

Top 3 Medicare Supplements in Hawaii

Looking for the three best Medigap plans available in Hawaii? They are Medicare Supplement Plan FMedicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plan available. This plan covers all Original Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, leaving you with no out-of-pocket costs on all Medicare-approved services...., Medicare Supplement Plan GIf you're turning age 65 this year, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement you can buy. It's also the most popular. You might be thinking that Medicare Supplement Plan F is..., and Medicare Supplement Plan NMedicare Supplemental Plan N is one of the ten standardized Medigap plans. Although it is one of the newest plans available, Medicare Plan N is quickly becoming a favorite with Baby Boomers aging into their.... Here are the 10 best insurance companies that offer these plans:

1. 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan F in Hawaii
2. 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan G in Hawaii
3. 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan N in Hawaii

Looking for a different plan? Compare the best Medicare supplement plans in Hawaii. You can also write a Medicare supplement review and let others know about a good or bad experience with a particular carrier.

Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plan F Comparison Chart

Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most popular Medigap plan available in Hawaii. Here are the 10 best Plan F policies available in Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):

Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plan G Comparison Chart

Medicare Supplement Plan G is rapidly gaining popularity among Hawaii 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 Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):

Hawaii Medicare Supplement Plan N Comparison Chart

Medicare Supplement Plan N is similar to Plan D, but covers Medicare Part B coinsuranceCoinsurance is a percentage of the total you are required to pay for a medical service. ... costs differently. Due to its lower cost and good coverage, it's catching the attention of many Hawaii seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in Hawaii based on our reviews (click for details):

About our Hawaii Supplemental Medicare Insurance Reviews

We review all major Medigap insurance carriers selling policies in Hawaii. Our 5-star ratings are unbiased. We use a complex formula that evaluates years in business, A.M. Best financial strength rating, plans serviced, plan premiumsA premium is an amount that an insurance policyholder must pay for coverage. Premiums are typically paid on a monthly basis. In the federal Medicare program, there are four different types of premiums. ..., and fees. Currently, our formula does not take rate increase history into account, so be sure to ask your agent for this information.

Our analysis of Medicare supplement insuranceMedicare Supplements are additional insurance policies that Medicare beneficiaries can purchase to cover the gaps in their Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) health insurance coverage.... plans in Hawaii is based on a statewide review, not national. 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 Supplemental Medicare Plans Cost in Hawaii?

The Centers for Medicare and MedicaidMedicaid is a public health insurance program that provides health care coverage to low-income families and individuals in the United States.... updates their Medicare supplement cost information annually. We show estimated monthly premiums for all Medicare supplement insurance plans in Hawaii. Premiums shown come from our most recent review of each carrier and are based on a 65-year-old, non-smoking woman. Use our rates to compare carriers. Your agent will quote your final rate based on where you live, your current age, sex, and use of tobacco. Call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) to speak with an agent and get a quote.

Hawaii Medigap Plans are Standardized

Hawaii Medicare Supplement insurance carriers are required to adhere to state and federal laws that are designed to protect consumers. Medigap plans must be clearly identified as Medicare Supplement Insurance. Each standardized Medicare policy is identified by letters A through N and must offer the same identical benefits as all other plans with the same letter. The only variance is the monthly premium. So, for instance, a Plan F from Blue Cross has exactly the same health coverage as a Plan F from Humana. This standardization makes supplements much easier to compare vs. an HMO or PPO type of plan that you get 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 Hawaii 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 AMedicare Supplement Plan A is often confused with Medicare Part A, which is the Medicare coverage that pays for your inpatient hospital care. Medicare Supplement Plan A, which is also known as 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 Hawaii Department of Insurance website at http://cca.hawaii.gov/ins.

Hawaii Med Supp 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 AMedicare Part A is hospital inpatient coverage for people with Original Medicare, whereas Part B is medical coverage for doctor visits, tests, etc.... 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 ChargesA Medicare Part B excess charge is the difference between a health care provider’s actual charge and Medicare’s approved amount for payment....	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.

What is the Difference Between a Hawaii Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage Plans?

It's important to compare Medigap insurance with Medicare Advantage plansMedicare Advantage (MA), also known as Medicare Part C, are health plans from private insurance companies that are available to people eligible for Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B)..... 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 Hawaii.

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 costsOut-of-pocket costs (aka, out-of-pocket medical expenses) are costs that a beneficiary must pay because their health insurance does not cover them. Out-of-pocket costs are found in the deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance outlined in each health... are not one of its advantages.

How To Get Prescription Drug Coverage with a Medigap Policy in Hawaii

The only way to get prescription coverage with a Medigap policy is to buy a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan that's available in Hawaii. Basic prescription drug coverage start at less than $20.

If you are about to get your Medicare benefits, you can join a prescription drug plan as soon as you have both your Part A and Part B benefits. But, once your initial enrollment has passed, you'll have to wait until the next open enrollmentIn health insurance, open enrollment is a period during which a person may enroll in or change their selection of health plan benefits. Health plan enrollment is ordinarily subject to restrictions.... period to enroll or to switch to a new plan. The Annual Election Period is in the Fall from 15 October through 7 December.

NOTE: If you don't enroll in a prescription drug plan when you are first eligible, you will be penalized with additional fees when you do join a plan. You may not have regular prescriptions that you take now, but it pays to join a basic plan to avoid the penalty later.

Looking for More Information About Medigap Insurance in Hawaii?

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 Hawaii

Here are some common questions we answer about Medicare Supplement plans in Hawaii.

A Hawaii Medigap Plan Does Not Cover Dental

We all need routine dental care and dental restoration work as we age, but it's not covered by Original Medicare or a Medigap plan. For coverage, you'll need a stand-alone Hawaii dental insurance policy.

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 Hawaii 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:

• 1-888-875-9229; TTY 1-866-810-4379
• http://www.hawaiiship.org/

Additional Foot Notes

^[3] The sample premium is for a 65-year-old, non-smoking, woman living in Hawaii. 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.

Citations & References

medicare.gov

• Medicare.gov: the official U.S. government site for Medicare | Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/
• Medicare costs at a glance | Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance
• Find a Medigap policy that works for you https://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/medigap-home.aspx
• Drug coverage (Part DMedicare Part D is Medicare's prescription drug plan program. Plans are offered by private insurance companies and cover outpatient prescriptions....) | Medicare http://www.medicare.gov/part-d/index.html

ssa.gov

• The United States Social Security Administration https://www.ssa.gov/
• Medicare Benefits | SSA https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/

The Medicare Supplement information on this page originates from CMS Data Files, is maintained by David Bynon, and was last updated on May 31, 2021.