by Russell Noga | Updated March 7th, 2024
In Virginia Beach, choosing a Medicare supplement plan comes down to finding the right fit for your medical needs and budget. This article zeroes in on the top Medicare supplement plans in Virginia Beach, their costs, and how to compare them, ensuring you can confidently secure the supplemental coverage you need without unnecessary hassle.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, offers plans (like A, B, C, F, G, K, L, M, and N) with standardized benefits across insurers, though some plans have coverage limitations such as Plan B not covering Part B excess charges or international emergency care.
- The cost of Medigap plans in Virginia Beach can vary based on factors like age, health, gender, and the pricing method used by the insurer, with competitive rates available from specific providers for popular plans such as Plan G and Plan N.
- Enrollment in Medigap plans is optimal during the initial eligibility period at age 65 or during special circumstances, with guaranteed issue rights, which avoid penalties for preexisting conditions and can result in lower rates and better coverage options.
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Exploring Medicare Supplement Plans in Virginia Beach
Medicare Supplement Insurance, often referred to as Medigap, offers standardized policies to aid Virginia Beach residents by covering out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Each lettered policy (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) indicates a different level of coverage, although the benefits are consistent across insurers for the same lettered policy. For instance, Medigap Plan B goes beyond basic benefits by covering the Medicare Part A deductible, among other benefits.
Bear in mind that Plan B excludes coverage for Part B excess charges, skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, out-of-network services, and emergency care outside the U.S.
Therefore, residents of Virginia Beach have access to various other Medicare Supplement plans such as Plan A, Plan C, Plan K, and Plan L, in addition to a Virginia Medicare Supplement Plan and Virginia Medicare Advantage plans.
Each plan offers different levels of prescription drug coverage to suit individual healthcare needs.
Understanding Plan G Benefits in Virginia Beach
Among the various Medigap policies, Plan G stands out as a popular choice in Virginia Beach due to its comprehensive coverage. Plan G covers:
- Part A co-insurance and hospital costs
- Part B co-insurance or copayments
- Blood
- Part A Hospice care co-insurance
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges
Plan G has got you covered.
Do you love to travel? Good news! Plan G goes the extra mile by offering 80% coverage of foreign travel exchange costs, benefiting those who travel internationally. Moreover, the out-of-pocket maximum for Plan G in 2024 aligns with the Medicare Part B deductible, which is $240, making it a great choice for comprehensive coverage.
Insights into Plan N Offerings
Medicare Supplement Plan N is another favorable option for Virginia Beach residents, offering cost-sharing benefits that allow for lower premiums in exchange for some out-of-pocket expenses. Plan N includes copays of $25 for office visits and $50 for emergency room visits, providing a balance between cost and coverage.
One should be aware that Plan N doesn’t include coverage for the Medicare Part B deductible or Part B excess charges. On the bright side, it does provide 80% coverage for foreign travel emergency expenses, up to the plan’s limits, which can be a significant benefit for those who love to explore the world.
Plan F: The Full-Coverage Option
For those seeking extensive coverage, Plan F could be suitable. However, bear in mind that Plan F is exclusively available to those who gained Medicare eligibility before January 1, 2020. Plan F covers everything from:
- Part A and B co-insurance
- Hospital costs
- The first three pints of blood
- Hospice care
- Skilled nursing facility care
- Part A and B deductibles
- Part B excess charges
- 80% of foreign travel emergency care
Given this broad coverage, Plan F has positioned itself as the most comprehensive Medigap plan available. To receive quotes for Plan F, individuals must contact providers directly in Virginia.
Comparing Costs of Medigap Plans in Virginia Beach
While coverage is a crucial factor when choosing a Medigap plan, cost is equally important. Monthly premiums for Medigap plans can vary due to factors like:
- age
- health
- gender
- marital status
- smoking status
- location
These factors can be influential in determining the cost of the plan. It’s also worth noting that Medigap insurers may adopt community-rated, issue age-rated, or attained age-rated methods to determine premiums, significantly impacting the long-term costs for consumers.
For a 65-year-old non-smoking woman, Plan G monthly rates in Virginia vary: Anthem offers it at $118, Mutual of Omaha at $113, and USAA at $126. General premium ranges for Medicare Supplement plans in Virginia Beach span from $51 to $178, with Plan N showing a cost difference of approximately $17.70 from the most affordable to the priciest provider.
Finding Affordable Plan G Providers
Finding affordable Plan G providers in Virginia Beach may seem like a daunting task, but with the right information, it’s achievable. Companies that offer competitive rates for Plan G in Virginia Beach include:
- Mutual of Omaha
- Anthem
- Cigna
- Aetna
Mutual of Omaha is known for having a lower number of customer complaints.
Anthem’s Plan G policies are approximately 21% cheaper than the Virginia state average, and the company has 44% fewer complaints. Meanwhile, Cigna and Aetna also offer reputable Plan G options, with Cigna having a 4.5 out of 5 customer satisfaction rating and Aetna offering the cheapest Plan G in Virginia for a 65-year-old. Monthly premiums for Plan G can range from $91.10 with Aetna to $141.60 with Cigna, showcasing competitive pricing among providers.
Cost Variations Among Plan N Options
When considering Plan N, comprehending the cost variations is vital. In Virginia, the average monthly premium for Plan N is $105.70 for 65-year-olds. For 75-year-olds, the average monthly premium is $172.77. However, Medico offers the cheapest Plan N option in Virginia, with the average monthly premium being the lowest at $96.29.
One should be aware that Medico has received double the average number of complaints compared to other Medigap providers.
Premiums for Grandfathered Plan F Subscribers
For those who are grandfathered into Plan F, the average monthly cost for a 65-year-old woman in Virginia who does not smoke is approximately $162. For a 75-year-old, the lowest reported monthly premium for Plan F in Virginia is $199.20 with Cigna.
Yet, remember that tobacco use and prescription drugs could increase premiums by up to 10% for Plan F subscribers due to increased medical expenses generally associated with smokers.
On a positive note, subscribers of Plan F may be eligible for household discounts, which can reduce premiums by 5-15% if they live with someone else enrolled in a plan with the same carrier.
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Enrollment Process for Medigap in Virginia Beach
Once you’ve understood the different Medigap plans and their costs, the next step is enrollment. Virginia Beach residents become eligible for Medicare and Medigap at age 65, or due to certain disabilities, permanent kidney failure, or A.L.S. (Lou Gehrig’s disease) at any age. If you’re not already receiving Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, you should apply for Medicare three months before turning 65.
The initial enrollment period begins 3 months before turning 65 and extends 3 months after. During this time, purchasing Medigap is crucial for guaranteed issue rights, which prevent you from being rejected for preexisting conditions. Enrolling during the Open Enrollment Period offers advantages like lower rates and better coverage options since health conditions cannot result in coverage denial or increased premiums. Some insurers even offer early enrollment discounts when signing up for Medigap shortly after becoming Medicare-eligible.
Local Providers of Medicare Supplement Insurance
Virginia Beach, located in Virginia Beach City County, is home to several prominent insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. These include Anthem and UnitedHealthcare, both of which provide a range of options to suit various healthcare needs and budgets.
You can contact Anthem for Medicare Supplement plans through their official website, Anthem.com, or by phone for customer support. UnitedHealthcare is recommended for Medigap Plans A, B, C, K, or L in Virginia. By exploring these providers, you can find a Medigap plan that fits your needs and budget.
Additional Benefits and Coverage Levels
Beyond the standard benefits, some Medigap policies offer additional coverage options. For instance, policies like Plan G, F, and N can include foreign travel emergency care coverage, which covers 80% of the cost of emergency care received outside of the United States.
Some Medigap plans, particularly Plan G, offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, and hearing care, which are not usually covered by Original Medicare. Some providers, such as Cigna, offer unique benefits with their Medigap Plan F, like the Healthy Rewards program which provides discounts on health and wellness services and access to a health information line. While these plans focus on supplementing Original Medicare, it’s important to note that they do not cover Medicaid services or medicare advantage plans, and are distinct from a Medicare Advantage plan.
Additionally, to access AARP/UnitedHealthcare’s Medigap policies, a $16-per-year AARP membership is required, which also includes additional member discounts.
Tailoring Your Medicare Supplement Plan to Your Needs
Choosing the right Medigap plan involves more than just understanding the different options and their costs. It’s also about tailoring a plan to your specific healthcare needs. This involves assessing your healthcare requirements, understanding the specific coverage limitations, and considering age-related premium differences.
All Medicare supplements are standardized and regulated, offering the same benefits per plan letter, allowing for consistent coverage expectations regardless of the provider chosen. Age influences Medigap plan premiums, with typically lower rates available when enrolling at age 65 versus age 75. It’s also important to be aware that Medigap plans do not cover:
- long-term care
- vision or dental care
- hearing aids
- eyeglasses
- private-duty nursing
Some insurance carriers offer 12-month rate locks, which can shield enrollees from rate increases for their first coverage year. Free personalized health insurance counseling from State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) can greatly assist in Medicare plan selection.
Leveraging Customer Service for Plan Selection
Leveraging customer service for plan selection is another crucial step in the process. It involves:
- Seeking professional help through the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), trained advisors at Via Benefits Insurance Services, or the Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance Program (VICAP)
- Considering available discounts
- Inquiring about historical rate increases
Consider the following when shopping for Medigap plans like Plan G:
- Look for available discounts such as household discounts or Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) discounts to make premiums more manageable.
- When seeking advice from Medigap agents or brokers, ensure they represent a variety of insurers to prevent conflicts of interest.
- Ask about historical rate increases for future premium planning.
Lastly, consider payment methods for your Medigap plan premiums, as some carriers offer discounts for monthly electronic payments.
Maximizing Benefits with In-Network Providers
Maximizing benefits with in-network providers is another strategy to ensure better coverage and cost savings. Medigap policies do not have networks as they complement Original Medicare, which is accepted by a vast majority of providers. Medicare is the primary network for Medigap plan subscribers, so the supplement does not determine the choice of providers – Medicare does.
In areas where Medicare participation is high, such as Virginia Beach, Medicare beneficiaries are less likely to encounter providers who do not accept Medicare, facilitating the use of Medigap benefits. Therefore, staying with providers that accept Medicare ensures that Medigap plan benefits can be fully utilized, minimizing the chances of out-of-pocket expenses. Remember, if you seek services from providers who do not accept Medicare, your Medigap plan may not provide benefits for those services.
Special Considerations for Virginia Beach Residents
For Virginia Beach residents who are actively employed and have active coverage through the City, there’s a special consideration. You can defer Medicare Part B without incurring Social Security penalties. This option can offer flexibility and cost savings for those who are still working and have coverage through their employer.
Summary
Choosing the right Medigap plan requires understanding the different plans, their costs, and the enrollment process. It’s about tailoring a plan to your healthcare needs, leveraging customer service for plan selection, and maximizing benefits with in-network providers. For Virginia Beach residents, the options are numerous, but with this guide, you are equipped to make an informed decision. Take control of your healthcare by selecting a Medigap plan that best suits your needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best Medicare Supplement plan in Virginia?
The best Medicare Supplement plan in Virginia is Mutual of Omaha’s Plan G, known for its affordable prices and minimal customer complaints. It is 14% lower than the state average and offers comprehensive coverage.
What is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan for 2025?
The most popular Medicare Supplement plan for 2025 is Medigap Plan G. Its coverage is standardized, meaning each carrier offering this plan provides the same coverage.
Which Medicare Supplement plan has the highest level of coverage?
Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plan, providing the highest level of coverage, including coverage for Medicare deductibles and all copays and coinsurance, leaving you with no out-of-pocket expenses throughout the year.
What are the disadvantages of a Medicare Supplement plan?
The disadvantages of a Medicare Supplement plan include high monthly premiums, limited guaranteed enrollment periods, and a lack of additional benefits like vision, dental, or prescription drug coverage.
What is a Medigap plan?
A Medigap plan, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, provides standardized policies to help cover out-of-pocket expenses not covered by Original Medicare. It is a supplemental insurance option for Medicare beneficiaries.
Speak to the Professionals about Medigap Plans and Original Medicare
If you find understanding the benefits involved with Original Medicare and Medigap Plans challenging, you’re not alone. Whether it’s a Medigap plan, or you want to know more about the best Medicare Supplement Plans in Virginia Beach, we can help. Call our team at 1-888-891-0229 for a free consultation or complete the contact form on this site, and an expert will call you back at a convenient time.
We have decades of experience advising our clients on the complexities of Medicare and Medigap plans, the benefits, cost and deductibles. We’ll ensure you get the best rate in your state and advice you can trust.
Russell Noga is the CEO and Medicare editor of Medisupps.com. His 15 years of experience in the Medicare insurance market includes being a licensed Medicare insurance broker in all 50 states. He is frequently featured as a featured as a keynote Medicare event speaker, has authored hundreds of Medicare content pages, and hosts the very popular Medisupps.com Medicare Youtube channel. His expertise includes Medicare, Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D.