Medicare Supplement Plans in Louisiana
More Plan Options
The average Louisiana senior compares three or more plan options before making an enrollment decision.
Louisiana Medicare Supplement Plans: What's the Difference?
Most Medicare experts agree: Original Medicare, combined with Louisiana Medicare supplemental insurance, provides the best health care coverage Louisiana seniors can get. But, which supplement is the right one for you?
This is a complicated question. After all, we're all different and have different needs. For most of us, it boils down to what we can afford and our health. Although there are 10 standardized plans, most seniors choose one of three Medigap plans: F, G, and N. Keep reading and we'll explain why.
Related: Is Supplemental Medicare Insurance a Waste of Money?
Top 10 Medicare Supplement Plans in Louisiana
Looking for the best Plan F, G, or N available to Louisiana 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.
Louisiana Medicare Supplement Plan F Comparison Chart
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most popular Medigap plan available in Louisiana. Here are the 10 best Plan F policies available in Louisiana based on our reviews (click for details):
Louisiana Medicare Supplement Plan G Comparison Chart
Medicare Supplement Plan G is rapidly gaining popularity among Louisiana 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 Louisiana based on our reviews (click for details):
Louisiana 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 Louisiana seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in Louisiana based on our reviews (click for details):
Best Louisiana Medigap Plan Reviews
We review all major Medigap insurance carriers selling policies in Louisiana. 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 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 insurance plans in Louisiana 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 Medicare Supplement Plans Cost in Louisiana?
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid updates their Medicare supplement cost information annually. We show estimated monthly premiums for all Medicare supplement insurance plans in Louisiana. 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 1-855-266-4865 to speak with an agent and get a quote.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Louisiana are Standardized
The Louisiana 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 Medigap policy 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. That means that a Plan F from AARP (UnitedHealthcare) has exactly the same health coverage as a Plan F from Blue Cross. The lettered plans make supplemental insurance easy to compare and understand vs. the HMO or PPO plans you can 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 Medicare supplement insurance policy sold in Louisiana offers the basic benefits of Plan A. All other lettered plans after A feature additional levels of coverage. This allows you to choose the amount of additional insurance you need to cover the gaps in your Medicare Parts A and B benefits.
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:
- Are not required to offer every Medigap plan
- Must offer Medigap Plan A (basic benefits)
- Must also offer Plan C or Plan F
For more information, visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance website at http://www.ldi.la.gov/.
Louisiana Med Supp Plan Comparison Chart
The following table shows, at-a-glance, the coverage you get with each of the standardized Medicare plans.
| 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.
What is the Difference Between a Louisiana Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage Plans?
It is natural to want to compare supplemental Medicare insurance plans with Medicare Advantage. After all, on the surface, it appears that Medicare Advantage plans cost less. And, if your employer or former employer assists you with the cost of copays, they do cost less. But, if you're like most people, and have to pay these costs out-of-pocket, they can be very expensive.
There are trade-offs with both types of plans, and it pays to learn the difference between Medicare supplements and Medicare Advantage plans so you can choose the right plan option for your needs. Medicare Advantage plans have many advantages and disadvantages.
How To Get Prescription Drug Coverage with a Medigap Policy in Louisiana
To get prescription drug coverage with a Medigap policy you need a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan. The most basic plans start at less than $20 and are worth getting, even if you don't have regular prescriptions.
You can join a Part D plan as soon as you have both your Part A and Part B benefits. But, don't delay. Once your initial enrollment has passed, you won't be able to join a plan until the next open enrollment period. Medicare's Annual Election Period for Part D plans every Fall from 15 October through 7 December.
CRITICAL: If you don't enroll in a Part D plan when you are first eligible, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will penalize you with additional fees when you want to join a plan later on. You may not have regular prescriptions now, but it pays to join a basic plan as soon as you can to avoid the penalty later.
Looking for More Information About Medigap Insurance in Louisiana?
If you're looking for more ways to lower your health care costs by reducing your out-of-pocket costs, these articles may help:
- What are the Different Medicare Supplement Plans?
- What is the Best Medicare Supplement Plan for 2021
- Can you get a Medicare Supplement if you are on disability?
- When can I change my Medicare supplemental insurance plan?
- Are there any free Medicare Supplement plans?
- How to Pick the Best Medicare Supplement Plan
Top Questions About Medicare Supplement Plans in Louisiana
We get a lot of great questions regarding Medigap plans in Louisiana. Here are the most common questions we answer.
It all depends. Your age, gender, zip code, use of tobacco, and the exact plan you choose all need to be factored in. You can take advantage of our free quote service to find the lowest prices in your area.
Here's a list of top carriers by cost in Louisiana:
- American National
- Western United Life
- Thrivent
- Mutual of Omaha
- Globe Life
As a general rule, you can apply for a Medigap plan anytime, there isn't a specific open enrollment period. However, if you want to protect your guaranteed issue rights you should buy a policy as soon as you are eligible for Medicare Part B benefits. Here's a list of your top choices in Louisiana.
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 Louisiana 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:
- 1-800-259-5300
- http://www.ldi.la.gov/consumers/senior-health-shiip
Additional Foot Notes
[3] The sample premium is for a 65-year-old, non-smoking, woman living in Louisiana. 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 .
