Medicare Supplement Plans in Kansas
If you’re researching Medicare Supplement insurance in Kansas, also called Medigap, you may be trying to understand what these plans cover, when you can enroll, how Plan G and Plan N differ, and what you should consider when comparing insurance companies.
TCG Insurance Solutions helps Kansas Medicare beneficiaries understand their Medicare Supplement options and compare plans offered by the insurance companies we represent.
What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?
Medicare Supplement insurance can help pay certain out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, making some healthcare expenses more predictable. You generally continue paying your Medicare Part B premium in addition to your Medicare Supplement premium. If you add separate Part D prescription drug coverage, that plan may also have its own premium. Medicare premiums and deductibles can change each year. If you like doing your own research the Medicare website is an excellent source of information.
Popular Medicare Supplement Options: Plan G and Plan N
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, which means the basic benefits of a particular lettered plan are the same regardless of which insurance company sells it. For example, a Plan G from one company provides the same standardized Plan G benefits as a Plan G from another company, although premiums can differ.
Two options people often compare are Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N. Both work alongside Original Medicare Parts A and B and can help pay many of the deductibles, copayments and coinsurance that Original Medicare leaves to the beneficiary.
Medicare Supplement Plan G
Plan G provides broad supplemental coverage for many of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. It covers benefits such as the Medicare Part A hospital deductible, Part A and Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance and Medicare Part B excess charges. Plan G does not pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible, so you are responsible for that deductible before certain Part B benefits begin paying.
For someone who prefers fewer out-of-pocket expenses when receiving Medicare-covered care, Plan G may be worth considering.
For a deeper dive into Medicare Supplement Plan G Visit our Plan G Page
Medicare Supplement Plan N
Plan N provides many of the same standardized benefits as Plan G but includes some additional cost-sharing. After the Part B deductible has been met, Plan N may require a copayment of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for certain emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission. Plan N also does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
In exchange for accepting some of those potential out-of-pocket costs, Plan N may be worth comparing with Plan G when evaluating available premiums and coverage preferences.
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered, with certain copays |
| Office visit copay | None under standardized benefit | Up to $20 for certain visits |
| Emergency room copay | None under standardized benefit | Up to $50 in certain situations |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Foreign travel emergency benefit | 80% within plan limits | 80% within plan limits |
The standardized benefit comparison is published by Medicare.
When is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement?
Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months. It begins the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this period, you can generally purchase any Medicare Supplement policy sold in your state without being denied coverage because of your health.
After this period ends, medical underwriting may apply unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue situation or another applicable protection.
Still working after age 65?
If you delay Part B because you or your spouse are still working and you have qualifying employer group health coverage, your Medicare timeline may be different.
When that employer coverage ends and you enroll in Part B, your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins with your Part B coverage.
Compare Medicare Supplement Rates — Kansas Department of Insurance
While price is certainly important, it shouldn’t necessarily be the only factor considered when choosing a Medicare Supplement company. Other things worth reviewing may include:
- The insurance company’s history and financial strength
- Available household or other discounts
- How premiums have changed over time
- Underwriting requirements if you are changing coverage
- Your personal preference for plans such as Plan G or Plan N
The lowest premium today may not always be the best overall fit for your situation.
Need help making sense of the numbers? I can help you compare the Medicare Supplement companies and plans I represent in Kansas and explain the differences so you can make an informed decision.
Compare Medicare Supplement Rates — Kansas DOI
Try our new Medicare Supplement Plan Quote Tool Below:
My name is Paul Carrigan, I am licensed in Kansas and contracted with multiple Medicare supplement insurance carriers and I would be honored to help you with your Medicare needs. My philosophy is simple: I wouldn’t recommend a plan to a client that I wouldn’t be comfortable recommending to my own family. That’s the bar that I set because I realize from experience, these plans are crucial and need to meet your needs and budget. If you would like more information please Contact Me, or you can call me at 913-390-3220.
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Not sure whether Plan G or Plan N makes more sense for you? I can help you compare the differences, available premiums and the Medicare Supplement companies I represent in Kansas—without pressure or obligation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Supplement Plans in Kansas
Is Medicare Supplement insurance the same as Medigap?
Yes. Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medigap refer to the same type of coverage. It is private insurance designed to work with Original Medicare and help pay certain out-of-pocket costs such as copayments, coinsurance and deductibles. Generally, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B to purchase a Medigap policy.
Are Medicare Supplement plans the same from every insurance company?
The standardized benefits are the same for policies with the same plan letter. For example, the basic benefits of Plan G are standardized regardless of which insurance company sells the policy. Premiums, however, can vary among companies, so it can be worthwhile to compare rates as well as the company offering the coverage.
When is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months and begins the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, you generally have the strongest protections for purchasing a Medicare Supplement policy without being denied because of your health.
Can I change Medicare Supplement companies later?
You can apply for another Medicare Supplement policy, but outside your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or certain guaranteed-issue situations, you may not have a federal right to purchase the new policy. Medical underwriting may apply depending on your circumstances and the insurance company.
Important: Don’t cancel your existing Medicare Supplement policy until you know your new coverage has been approved and you understand when it will become effective.
Does Medicare Supplement insurance include prescription drug coverage?
No. Modern Medicare Supplement policies do not include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare and want outpatient prescription drug coverage, you can generally enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. Medigap is designed to supplement Original Medicare rather than replace it.
Can I use my Medicare Supplement plan outside Kansas?
Medicare Supplement coverage works with Original Medicare, which generally allows you to see any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare. That can make Medigap appealing to people who travel or spend time in more than one state.
Some Medigap plans also include limited coverage for emergency healthcare received while traveling outside the United States, subject to the plan’s requirements and limits.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Both Plan G and Plan N help cover many of the costs left behind by Original Medicare, but they handle certain expenses differently.
Plan G provides broader standardized cost-sharing coverage and includes Medicare Part B excess charges. Plan N has some additional cost-sharing, including possible copayments for certain office and emergency-room visits, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. Neither Plan G nor Plan N pays the annual Medicare Part B deductible.
The better fit depends on factors such as premium, healthcare usage and how comfortable you are with occasional out-of-pocket costs.
How much does a Medicare Supplement plan cost in Kansas?
There isn’t one statewide price. Premiums can vary by insurance company, plan letter and individual circumstances. The Kansas Department of Insurance provides a free comparison tool showing current estimated Medicare Supplement premiums and other plan information.
Comparing premiums is important, but price isn’t necessarily the only consideration when selecting an insurance company.
Do Medicare Supplement plans have provider networks?
Medigap itself doesn’t operate like a typical HMO or PPO network. Because Medicare Supplement insurance works with Original Medicare, you can generally receive Medicare-covered care from doctors and hospitals anywhere in the United States that accept Medicare.
Can I have Medicare Advantage and a Medicare Supplement at the same time?
No. Medicare Supplement policies are designed to supplement Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. You generally cannot buy a Medigap policy while enrolled in Medicare Advantage unless you are switching back to Original Medicare under applicable rules.
Is Medicare Part G the same as Medicare Supplement Plan G?
You may sometimes hear Medicare Supplement Plan G referred to as “Medicare Part G,” but the correct name is Medicare Supplement Plan G. Medicare Parts A, B, C and D are different parts of Medicare, while Plan G is a standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan.
Need help with a question that isn’t listed here?
Medicare situations aren’t always identical. If you have a question about enrollment timing, Plan G versus Plan N, changing an existing Medicare Supplement policy, or comparing the companies I represent in Kansas, I’m happy to help you sort through it in plain English—without obligation.