Illinois Medicare Supplement Plans 2019 Medigap Plans
Illinois Medigap Plans: What's the Difference?
Most Illinois seniors agree: Original Medicare, combined with Medicare Supplement, offers the very best health 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.
Top 10 Medicare Supplement Plans in Illinois
Looking for the best Plan F, G or N available to Illinois 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 Illinois
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most popular Medigap plan available in Illinois. Here are the 10 best Plan F policies available in Illinois based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrivent | $116.68 | $25.00 |  |
| Americo Life | $116.61 | None |  |
| MassMutual | $123.75 | None | |
| AARP | $125.88 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $141.58 | None | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | $153.00 | None | |
| Globe Life | $161.50 | None | |
| Reserve National | $163.60 | $15.00 | |
| United American | $197.00 | None | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | $111.70 | $25.00 |  |
10 Best Medigap Plan G Policies in Illinois
Medicare Supplement Plan G is rapidly gaining popularity among Illinois 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 Illinois based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrivent | $92.15 | $25.00 | |
| Americo Life | $92.63 | None | |
| MassMutual | $99.04 | None | |
| AARP | $107.59 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $110.76 | None | |
| Reserve National | $113.40 | $15.00 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | $139.00 | None | |
| Globe Life | $145.50 | None | |
| United American | $160.00 | None | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | $88.64 | $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 Illinois senior compares three or more quotes before making an enrollment decision.
10 Best Medigap Plan N Policies in Illinois
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 Illinois seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in Illinois based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thrivent | $77.83 | $25.00 | |
| Americo Life | $75.39 | None | |
| Mutual of Omaha | $80.10 | None | |
| MassMutual | $85.49 | None | |
| AARP | $91.22 | None | |
| Reserve National | $105.75 | $15.00 | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas | $108.00 | None | |
| Globe Life | $123.50 | None | |
| United American | $139.00 | None | |
| Liberty Bankers Life | $75.72 | $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. | |||
Medigap Plan Reviews
We review all major Medicare Supplement insurance carriers servicing Medigap policies in Illinois. 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 Illinois are 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.
Medigap Rates (Premiums)
We list monthly premiums for all Medigap plans offered by Medicare Supplement carriers in Illinois. 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 Illinois 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.
All Illinois Medicare supplement policies offer the same basic benefits, however, some offer additional gap coverage. This allows you to choose the amount of insurance you need.
Each insurance company decides which policies it wants to sell, although state laws might affect which ones they offer. Insurance companies that sell Medicare supplemental insurance:
- 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 Illinois Department of Insurance website at http://insurance.illinois.gov/.
Medicare Supplement Plan F: Is it the Best Plan in Illinois?
Even though Medicare Plan F is the most costly, it is the overwhelming favorite. More than 50 percent of all seniors with a Medigap policy in Illinois choose Plan F. The reason is simple. It offers complete gap coverage.
IMPORTANT: If you want the gap protection of Medicare Supplement Plan F, you must get enrolled before January 2020. Congress voted to abolish Plan F. Starting January 2020 carrier are no longer able to sell these polices.
RELATED: Medicare Plan F: What Does this Medicare Supplement Offer?
Is AARP's Medicare Supplement the Best Medigap Plan?
AARP sell more Medicare Supplements in Illinois than any other carrier. AARP Medicare Supplement plans, by United Healthcare (UHC), provide the same coverage as the standardized Medigap plans from other carriers. The most significant difference is the cost and financial stability of the carrier.
Our research shows that AARP Medigap Plans are usually more expensive than competing plans. That said, in many areas UHC has hospitals under contract, allowing them to offer Medicare SELECT plans at favorable rates. This allows them to be more competitive on monthly premiums, but you must agree to use one of their contracted hospitals.
The three most popular AARP supplements are Plan F, Plan G and Plan N. You can see the difference between these plans on the comparison chart below.
Medigap Plan Comparison Chart
The following Medicare Supplement Plans 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.
Medicare Supplements vs Medicare Advantage
Still wondering if a Medicare Supplement is the right way to go? Considering Medicare Advantage to cut costs? For many seniors in Illinois it's a difficult decision. Here are a couple things to consider.
First, understand the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans available in Illinois. A Medigap plan fills gaps in your Original Medicare benefits. A Medicare Advantage plan may have a similar effect, but it replaces your Original Medicare benefits with managed care, reducing your options.
Second, if you need the most choices and flexibility, Original Medicare combined with a Medicare Supplement and a Illinois Medicare Part D plan is the best coverage you can get.
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 Illinois 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:
- 1-800-252-8966; TTY: 1-888-206-1327
- http://www.illinois.gov/aging/ship
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 Illinois. Get rates and reviews, including Plan F, G, and N. Find the best Medigap Plans in Illinois 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 Illinois.
Foot Notes
[1] Sample premium is for a 65 year old, non smoking, woman living in Illinois. 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 .