North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plans 2019 Medigap Plans
North Carolina Medigap Plans: What's the Difference?
Most North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Looking for the best Plan F, G or N available to North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most popular Medigap plan available in North Carolina. Here are the 10 best Plan F policies available in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | $114.76 | None |  |
| MassMutual | $122.36 | None | |
| Thrivent | $122.51 | $25.00 | |
| AARP | $136.06 | None | |
| USAA Life | $146.20 | None | |
| Globe Life | $152.00 | None | |
| United American | $194.00 | None | |
| Reserve National | $196.50 | $15.00 | |
| Standard Life | $253.37 | None | |
| Unified Life | $117.28 | $25.00 |  |
10 Best Medigap Plan G Policies in North Carolina
Medicare Supplement Plan G is rapidly gaining popularity among North Carolina 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 North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | $91.24 | None | |
| Thrivent | $96.75 | $25.00 | |
| MassMutual | $97.93 | None | |
| AARP | $112.16 | None | |
| USAA Life | $135.15 | None | |
| Globe Life | $136.00 | None | |
| Reserve National | $140.70 | $15.00 | |
| United American | $186.00 | None | |
| Standard Life | $187.07 | None | |
| ManhattanLife | $92.42 | $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 North Carolina senior compares three or more quotes before making an enrollment decision.
10 Best Medigap Plan N Policies in North Carolina
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 North Carolina seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):
| Carrier | Premium[1] | Fee | Review[2] |
|---|---|---|---|
| American National | $77.69 | None | |
| Thrivent | $81.72 | $25.00 | |
| MassMutual | $84.52 | None | |
| USAA Life | $89.93 | None | |
| AARP | $92.84 | None | |
| Globe Life | $115.50 | None | |
| Reserve National | $115.80 | $15.00 | |
| Standard Life | $122.20 | None | |
| United American | $145.00 | None | |
| Continental Life | $76.30 | $20.00 | |
| 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 Supplement Plan Reviews
We review all major Medigap insurance carriers selling Medigap policies in North Carolina. 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 Plans in North Carolina are 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.
Medicare Supplement Rates (Premiums)
We list monthly premiums for all Medigap plans offered by Medicare Supplement carriers in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina Department of Insurance website at http://www.ncdoi.com/.
Why is Medicare Supplement Plan F Favored in North Carolina?
Medicare Plan F costs more than all other Medigap plans, yet it is the most popular among North Carolina seniors. In fact, more than 50% of people with supplemental coverage buy Plan F. The top reason is that it covers all gaps in Original Medicare, offering peace-of-mind and convenience.
IMPORTANT: If you need protection from high medical bills, you must buy a Medicare Supplement Plan F policy before January 1, 2020. Congress voted and supplement insurance carriers will not be able to offer these polices after December 31, 2019.
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 North Carolina 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.
Med Supp 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.
Med Supp vs Medicare Advantage
Considering a Medicare Advantage plan as a lower cost alternative to Medicare Plan F? For many North Carolina 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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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:
- 1-855-408-1212
- http://www.ncshiip.com/
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 North Carolina. Get rates and reviews, including Plan F, G, and N. Find the best Medigap Plans in North Carolina 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 North Carolina.
Foot Notes
[1] Sample premium is for a 65 year old, non smoking, woman living in North Carolina. 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 .