How Much Does Medicare Supplement Cost?

The dates you sign up for Medicare Parts A and B, and you purchase a Medicare Supplement policy may determine the premium rates you pay. Let us explore how these insurance policies are priced.

Medicare Supplement Policies Are Priced in 3 Ways

1. 1. Community-rated (also called “no age-rated”)

   This method is based on where you live. These rates may vary according to where you live, whether in a rural or urban area.

   With a community rate, everyone who lives within the defined area has the same monthly premium rate for the same Medicare Supplement policy, regardless of age.

   A limitation of a community-rated Medicare Supplement policy is they are only offered in a few states: Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Arkansas, Minnesota, and Washington.

2. 2. Issue-age-rated (also called “entry age-rated”)

   Another type of rate is based on the age when you first applied and are issued a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. Your premium rate is lower the younger you are when you sign up for a Medicare Supplement policy.

   An example would be if you defer buying a Medicare Supplement insurance policy at the age of 65, because you are still employed and have health insurance coverage through your employer. If you retire at age 70, and buy a Medicare Supplement policy, your rates generally will be higher than if you had bought a Medicare Supplement policy at age 65.

   With an issue-age or entry-age rate, the rating plans may increase annually, but they are not dependent on the future age of the policy holder. Instead, any increases are based on inflation and other health care factors, usually a small percentage of increase each year.

   Some states do not offer this type of premium insurance rate on a Medicare Supplement insurance policy. Check with your licensed insurance agent to verify if the state you live in offers this type of rate.

3. 3. Attained-age-rated

   The rating most frequently and widely used by Medicare Supplement insurance providers is the attained-age rate. This rating system is based on your current age when you sign up for the policy.

   The rates are lower when you are eligible for Medicare (typically age 65) and rise as you grow older. Generally, rates increase by a small percentage annually or within a set timeframe. Any rate increase must be approved by state insurance authorities.

   Three states - Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin - currently maintain their own standardized Medicare Supplement policies. Check with a Medicare Supplement insurance agent for specific cost and coverage in your state.

How Are You Protected as a Consumer?

The best time to buy a Medicare Supplement insurance policy is during your 6-month open enrollment period, which automatically starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and you're 65 years or older (in some states it can be less than age 65).  During that time, you can apply for any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems, at the same premium as people with good health.

Outside of your open enrollment period other situations will allow you to apply for certain Medicare Supplement policies sold in your state, even if you have health problems, at the same premium as people with good health. This guaranteed issue right applies when you have certain other health coverage that changes in some way, such as losing Medicare Advantage coverage.

Medicare Supplement insurance policies are always guaranteed renewable, which means you can’t lose your coverage so long as premiums are paid on time, and there were no material misrepresentations on your application.

Sources:

• https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap/medigap-costs/costs-of-medigap-policies
• https://doi.sc.gov/DocumentCenter/View/12667/2020-Brochure---Medicare-Supp-Shop-Guide-Rev-2018-01-AR