The Best Medicare Supplement Insurance for Healthy Seniors

Methodology

How We Researched the Best Medigap Plans for Healthy Adults

Here’s how we evaluated each Medigap carrier:

1. Our team visited each carrier’s website to see what they offered. We gave priority to Medigap carriers that made it easy to see which plans were available in our area and provided instant quotes. We also looked for plans that specifically mention health and wellness benefits that go beyond what’s offered with Original Medicare.
2. We read through each plan carefully (including the fine print) to weed out plans that don’t offer as much coverage for adults who live an active or healthy lifestyle.
3. We spoke to representatives from each carrier on the phone to ask questions about pricing and coverage, particularly for carriers that did not offer as much information on their websites. That also gave us useful information about the quality of each carrier’s customer-support team.
4. We compared notes and narrowed down our list to the top Medigap carriers and plans for healthy Medicare beneficiaries.

How We Chose the Best Medigap Plans for Healthy Adults

Here are the most important factors we considered for Medicare beneficiaries shopping for a Medigap plan that suits their health and lifestyle:

• Medigap plans offered: There are 10 Medigap plans on the market, four of which are no longer offered to new Medicare beneficiaries. Insurance carriers also vary in the number and type of plans they offer. We looked for carriers that offer more plans, giving consumers more options to choose a plan within their price range.
• Health and wellness benefits: We wanted to make sure the carriers we chose would help healthy adults stay healthy. Nearly every carrier on our list has options for adults to get discounts or coverage for wellness products, including gym memberships, healthy diet plans, massages, OTC and prescription medications, and more.
• Plan premiums and deductibles: Medigap plans are designed to reduce out-of-pocket Medicare costs such as deductibles, coinsurance and copays. If a Medigap plan has a deductible and a high premium, however, beneficiaries may not save as much on out-of-pocket costs. We looked for carriers that offer plans with low premiums and low or no deductibles.
• Cost transparency: We appreciate transparency when it comes to monthly premiums and deductibles, as well as coverage for Medicare deductibles, copays and coinsurance. We primarily focused on carriers with websites that offered fast quotes and price-comparison tools.
• Plan availability: Not all Medigap plans are available in every state, and some carriers don’t operate in all 50 states. We looked for carriers that offer a wide network. Keep in mind that even if a carrier offers Medigap in your state, they may not offer plans in your ZIP code.
• Customer service: Since Medigap is offered only through private insurance companies, it’s important to consider their customer service. We contacted each carrier and spoke with representatives to ensure that they offer helpful and friendly customer service. We also read through reviews of each carrier to see what real customers had to say.
• Carrier reputation: We considered the carrier’s reputation as a dependable insurance company. We researched their ratings from trusted organizations such as the Better Business Bureau, AM Best and S&P Global.

Why Trust Us?

Our experts have spent hundreds of hours reviewing and evaluating Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans for eligible beneficiaries. We also consulted with healthy Medicare beneficiaries and households to learn about their personal experiences with different carriers and gain better insights into their advantages and disadvantages.

Popular Medigap Coverage for Healthy Seniors

Medicare has a total of 10 Medigap plans. New enrollees can choose from eight of the 10 standardized plans: A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N. As of Jan. 1, 2020, Plans C and F are not available to newly eligible customers.

Keep in mind that the standardized plans vary in the amount of gap coverage provided, so it’s vital to compare plan benefits. Deductibles, out-of-pocket limits, copayments and coinsurance are not the same across the board. Below is a look at some of the most popular Medigap plans for healthy older adults and the types of seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries we’d recommend them for.

Healthy Seniors Who Want Basic Coverage With Low Premiums

Healthy older adults without chronic medical conditions or who will rarely use their Medicare benefits may not want to pay for benefits they don’t need. Plans with higher deductibles, such as Plan K and High-Deductible Plan G, offer lower premiums than most other supplemental plans. It’s important to remember that unexpected out-of-pocket expenses can wreak havoc on your wallet if your health condition changes and you require services.

Active Seniors Who Love to Travel Internationally

Is traveling abroad on your post-retirement bucket list? Without the proper Medigap plan, experiencing a medical emergency while out of the country can be costly. Explore Medigap plans C, D, F, G, M or N, because those six plans include 80 percent coverage of qualifying foreign travel emergency care costs.

» Related Reading: Best Travel Insurance for Seniors

Seniors Who Want Comprehensive Coverage Without Paying Full Price

Many healthy seniors want the peace of mind that comes from having a comprehensive Medigap plan. Medigap Plan N offers similar coverage to higher-premium Plan G. Plan N comes in at a lower cost, however, because you’ll be responsible for some office and emergency room visits ($20 and $50 copays, respectively).

How Do I Buy Medigap Insurance?

Medigap insurance is sold through private insurance companies such as the ones we detailed above, along with numerous others, including Aetna and Colonial Penn. Buying Medigap insurance is like purchasing auto or home insurance; you want to shop around and obtain at least three quotes from carriers.

Medigap plan options vary from state to state, but the plan coverage is standardized. That means each Medigap plan remains the same no matter which company you decide to enroll with. Plan N from Blue Cross Blue Shield, for example, has exactly the same coverage as Plan N from UnitedHealthcare.

Once you’ve decided on the best Medigap plan for your needs and thoroughly compared quotes, purchasing a plan is fairly simple. You can enroll online with most insurance companies, as well as over the phone or via a mail-in application.

When Should I Enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan?

The ideal time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your six-month initial enrollment period. Initial enrollment automatically begins the month you turn 65 and have enrolled in Medicare. During that six-month period, health-care companies are federally required to provide Medigap plans with no questions asked. You cannot be denied a policy or charged a higher rate due to preexisting health conditions.

Plan options and pricing premiums are best during your six-month Medigap initial enrollment. You can enroll in your state’s Medigap benefits at any time, but you may not be able to buy a policy after the initial six-month period. If you can buy one, it may cost more due to past or present health problems.

Five Ways Older Adults Can Stay Healthy

Choosing the right health insurance is just one part of staying on top of your health as you age. Taking care of our bodies and minds should be a top priority on our to-do list. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle ensures we can fully enjoy our hard-earned years of retirement.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends older adults get moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. They also recommend muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days each week that work your major muscle groups, including your legs, hips, back and arms. 4

Boost your quality of life by including these actions in your daily routine:

1. Move your body. Getting a daily dose of exercise helps older adults reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, memory loss and some cancers.5 Physical activity is a fantastic mood energizer, releasing endorphins to relieve stress, combat depression and help you sleep soundly.
2. Boost your brain. Along with your body, your brain needs routine exercise! Keeping your mind sharp with mentally stimulating activities helps prevent cognitive impairment. Brain games such as playing chess, video games and memory games keep your mind engaged and activated.
3. Eat smart. As you grow older, your metabolism (how your body gets energy from food) can slow down and your body composition (the amount of fat and muscle) may be different from when you were younger. Fuel your body with nutrient-rich fruits, veggies and lean proteins.
4. Embrace a hobby. Whether you’re tending your garden, teaming up with a tennis partner or working on your latest quilt, hobbies are an important part of self-care. Consider what you’re passionate about or interested in exploring, and go for it!
5. Build strength and balance. As we age, our muscles lose elasticity. Keeping balance is an important part of fall prevention. Millions of people ages 65 and older fall each year. More than 1 out of 4 older people fall annually. Fall prevention and educating yourself on fall safety tips can protect you in the future.