Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina

Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina : 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina

Looking for the three best Medigap plans available in North Carolina? 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 North Carolina
2. 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan G in North Carolina
3. 10 Best Medicare Supplement Plan N in North Carolina

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

North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan F Comparison Chart

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):

North Carolina Medicare Supplement Plan G Comparison Chart

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):

North Carolina 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 North Carolina seniors. Here are the 10 best Medigap Plan N policies available in North Carolina based on our reviews (click for details):

About our North Carolina Supplemental Medicare Insurance Reviews

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 Medigap cost information annually. We evaluate all Medicare Supplement companies servicing policies in North Carolina. Our reviews are unbiased. We use a mathematical formula that considers 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. We do not evaluate rate increase history for all Medicare insurance plans, so be sure to ask your agent to provide this information.

We review Medicare Supplement Plans in North Carolina head-to-head, statewide. We recommend consumers use our 5-star ratings as one aspect of their decision-making process. It helps compare insurance carriers at-a-glance. Call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) to speak with an agent and get a quote.

How Much do Supplemental Medicare Plans Cost in North Carolina?

To get an accurate rate on Medicare Supplement plans, North Carolina agents will ask for your address, age, sex, and use of tobacco products. The rates we list are samples based on a 65-year-old, non-smoking woman, and include applicable household discounts. Use our rates for comparison purposes only. Call 1-855-728-0510 (TTY 711) to get quote.

North Carolina Medigap Plans are Standardized

All 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. carriers in North Carolina 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.

All North Carolina Medicare supplement policies offer the same basic benefits, however, some offer additional gap coverage. This lets you get the 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:

• 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 North Carolina Department of Insurance website at http://www.ncdoi.com/.

North Carolina 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 HospiceHospice is a special way of caring for people who are terminally ill. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach that addresses the medical, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the patient. 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 coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. It covers inpatient care in hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. It also covers limited home healthcare services and hospice care. 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.

It is natural to want to compare supplemental Medicare insurance plans with Medicare Advantage. After all, on the surface, it appears that 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). 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 North Carolina

To get prescription drug coverage with a Medigap policy you need a stand-alone North Carolina 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 DMedicare Part D plans are an option Medicare beneficiaries can use to get prescription drug coverage. Part D plans provide cost-sharing on covered medications in four different phases: deductible, initial coverage, coverage gap, and catastrophic. Each... 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 periodDuring the Medicare Open Enrollment Period, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan members can change, switch, or drop a plan they chose during the Annual Election Period. OEP starts on January 1 and ends on March 31.. 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 ServicesThe Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is the U.S. Federal agency that runs the Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Programs. 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 North Carolina?

Figuring out how to lower your health care costs by reducing your out-of-pocket costsOut-of-Pocket Costs for Medicare are the remaining costs that are not covered by the beneficiary's health insurance plan. These costs can come from the beneficiary's monthly premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. 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 North Carolina

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

A North Carolina 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 North Carolina 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 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/

Additional Foot Notes

^[3] The sample premium is for a 65-year-old, non-smoking, woman living in North Carolina. 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 MedicareWireMedicareWire is a Medicare insurance consulting agency. We founded MedicareWire after seeing and hearing how confusing and frustrating it is to find, understand, and choose a plan. Our services are free to the consumer. 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 D) | 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 November 6, 2022.