Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire (2024)

Summary: Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in New Hampshire can help cover the out-of-pocket cost gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. There are ten standard and two high deductible plan options for Medigap plans in New Hampshire that to cater to various healthcare needs and budgets. Take the opportunity to compare the available Medicare Supplement plans in your region and discover the one that’s right for you. Estimated Read Time: 12 mins

Table of Contents:

1. 1. Best Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire
   2. Eligibility for Medigap Plans in New Hampshire
   3. Medicare Supplement Plan Costs in New Hampshire
   4. Companies Offering Medigap Plans in New Hampshire
   5. Medigap Plans in NH for the Disabled Under 65
   6. Medicare Supplement Plan Rating Methods in New Hampshire
   7. Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in New Hampshire
   8. When to Enroll in Medigap Plans in New Hampshire
   9. Does New Hampshire Allow Medicare Excess Charges?
   10. Additional Medicare Coverage Options in New Hampshire

Medicare Supplement plans in New Hampshire (NH) are an essential part of healthcare coverage for many residents of the state. With over 20% of the population in New Hampshire on Medicare, it is vital to ensure each and every enrollee has the best coverage for their needs.

Many New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries choose to enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan to help cover costs left behind by Original Medicare. These costs can include deductibles, copayments, and more. Below, we will explain how this coverage will work with your Medicare and how you can benefit from a Medicare Supplement plan in NH.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire

Medicare Supplement plans across the United States are similar due to federal Medigap standardization. Regardless of the state you reside in or the carrier you choose to enroll with, your Medigap plan benefits will be the same.

For example, if you enroll in Medigap Plan G in New Hampshire through one carrier and your family member in Colorado enrolls in Plan G through another carrier, you will both have the exact same benefits.

Thus, finding the best Medicare Supplement plan in NH may be tricky because the best plan for you may not be the best for someone else in terms of health coverage needs and budget.

However, many Medicare beneficiaries in New Hampshire find that Medigap Plan F, Plan G, or Plan N offer great benefits for coverage and overall affordability.

Medicare Supplement Plan F in New Hampshire

Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan available in New Hampshire. This plan covers 100% of your out-of-pocket costs after Original Medicare pays its portion. Thus, leaving you with no out-of-pocket costs aside from your monthly premium.

Medigap Plan F in New Hampshire includes:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance and hospital costs, and hospice care coinsurance
• Part B deductible, copays, coinsurance, and any excess charges
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

It’s important to note that Medigap Plan F is only available to those who were eligible for Original Medicare before January, 1^st 2020. Anyone who received Medicare after this date is ineligible for Plan F coverage and must enroll in a different Medicare Supplement plan if they wish to receive Medigap benefits.

Medicare Supplement Plan G in New Hampshire

If you are not eligible for Medicare Supplement Plan F, the next best option for you is Medicare Supplement Plan G. Even so, with the difference in premium, Plan G may be the right choice for you even if you do meet Plan F eligibility criteria.

Medicare Supplement Plan G offers comprehensive coverage for those Medicare enrollees who wish to enroll in a plan that will leave them with as few out-of-pocket costs as possible when they receive care.

Medigap Plan G in New Hampshire includes:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance, hospital costs, and hospice care coinsurance
• Part B copays, coinsurance, and any excess charges
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

If you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G in New Hampshire, you will receive 100% coverage for your out-of-pocket costs once you have met the annual Medicare Part B deductible. After you meet this yearly amount, you won’t pay another dime out-of-pocket for Medicare-covered services until January 1 of the following year.

Medicare Supplement Plan N in New Hampshire

Lastly, Medicare Supplement Plan N is a great option for those in New Hampshire who wish to enroll in a plan that will protect their wallets in the event of a major health complication but do not otherwise visit the doctor’s office regularly throughout the year. Plan N has the lowest monthly premium of the top three plans, yet it has the most out-of-pocket costs when receiving care.

Medigap Plan N in New Hampshire includes:

• Part A deductible, coinsurance, hospital costs, and hospice care coinsurance
• Part B copays/coinsurance
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency – 80%

With Medigap Plan N in New Hampshire, you will cover the Medicare Part B deductible, $20-$50 copayments at the doctor and emergency room, and excess charges if applicable in your area. However, if you are admitted to the hospital as a result of your emergency room visit, your copay will be waived.

Additionally, if you receive care at an Urgent Care facility, you will not be required to pay a copayment. Keep in mind New Hampshire does allow excess charges. So, you will want to speak with your doctors before enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan N to see if they accept Medicare Assignment.

Eligibility for Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire

To be eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan in New Hampshire, you must meet the eligibility requirements for Original Medicare and be enrolled in Medicare Part A and B. Typically; these requirements include being at least 65 years old and being a United States citizen for at least five years.

However, some exceptions may allow individuals to qualify for Medicare insurance at a younger age. These exceptions include being diagnosed with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), although Medicare coverage won’t start until after a waiting period. This waiting period is usually at least four months of undergoing dialysis.

Other exceptions include being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, or receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for at least 24 months.

It’s also important to know that you cannot enroll in a Medigap and Medicare Advantage plan simultaneously. So, you’ll need to decide which plan option works best for you.

Before applying for a Medigap policy, you must first disenroll from your Medicare Advantage plan. This can only be done during valid election periods. These periods include the Annual Enrollment Period, the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period, or a Special Enrollment Period.

Cost of Medicare Supplement Plans in New Hampshire

The cost of Medicare Supplement plans in New Hampshire varies depending on several factors. Location, pre-existing health conditions, age, tobacco use, and other circ*mstances can determine your monthly premium for Medicare Supplement coverage.

The chart below reviews the cost of Medicare Supplement plans in NH for a 65 and 75-year-old male and female in the same zip code as of November 2023. Both examples are non-tobacco users. Information in the charts is taken directly from Medicare.gov.

* If on Medicare before 1/1/20

As you can see, the cost for Medicare Supplement plans in New Hampshire cary based on your demographic information. The best way to know your actual premium is to speak with an agent who can offer personalized quotes.

Companies Offering Medigap Plans in New Hampshire

Medicare beneficiaries in New Hampshire have numerous options for trusted insurance companies. Many well-known carriers offer Medigap coverage to residents throughout the state.

A few of the most well-known Medicare Supplement insurance companies in New Hampshire include:

• Aetna
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) of New Hampshire
• Cigna
• Humana
• United Healthcare

When considering a Medicare Supplement insurance provider in New Hampshire, it’s important to look beyond just the cost of monthly premiums. Independent credit agencies like A.M. Best and S&P look at the financial stability of insurance providers, giving insights into their ability to cover your healthcare expenses effectively.

Moreover, consumer agencies like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) evaluate customer service based on complaints, providing valuable information about the overall consumer experience. Weighing all these factors will help you decide when selecting a Medigap carrier for your supplemental coverage in New Hampshire.

Eligibility for Medigap Plans in New Hampshire for the Disabled under 65

In New Hampshire, those who qualify for Medicare under the age of 65 due to a disability will have full access to enroll in Medicare Supplement plans at the same rate as those who are over 65.

Recent legislation in the state allows those under 65 access to Medigap coverage without an extreme premium markup like other states. Thus, if you are on Medicare due to disability, a Medicare Supplement plan may be your best option when enrolling in Medicare coverage.

Medicare Supplement Rating Method in New Hampshire

In New Hampshire, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are rated using Attained-Age Rated, Issue-Age Rated, and Community Rated.

Most Medigap insurers in New Hampshire use the Attained-Age Rated method. This means that your premiums for Medicare Supplements are based on your current age at the time of enrollment. Initially, when you enroll in a Medigap policy, your premiums are typically lower and gradually increase as you age. These increases in premiums are usually due to the higher healthcare costs associated with aging and the increased utilization of medical services.

Under the Issue-Age Rated method, the premium is based on your age at enrollment. If you enroll in a Medigap plan as soon as you are eligible at 65, you will typically have lower premiums that do not increase solely based on your age. However, the premium may still rise over time due to factors like inflation.

The Community Rated method ensures that all individuals enrolled in the same Medigap plan within a specific geographic location in New Hampshire pay the same premium, regardless of their age. While the premium may increase due to external factors like inflation, it is not directly tied to your age alone.

Each carrier can determine which rating method to follow in New Hampshire.

Medigap Guaranteed Issue Protections in New Hampshire

New Hampshire residents have certain guaranteed issue rights or Medigap protections under federal law. These rights ensure they can enroll in a Medigap plan without being denied coverage or higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. These protections aim to provide access to Medigap coverage when it is needed.

One important guaranteed issue right is the Medicare Advantage trial period. If someone joins a Medicare Advantage plan when first eligible for Medicare and decides to disenroll within the first year, they have a one-time guaranteed issue right to enroll in a Medigap plan. This allows them to obtain Medigap coverage without undergoing medical underwriting.

Another important protection is available for those who lose coverage. If someone loses employer-based retirement coverage or if their current Medigap plan is terminated or discontinued, they have a guaranteed issue right to enroll in another Medigap plan.

These guaranteed issue rights also apply if someone moves out of state and their Medigap carrier is no longer available. To qualify for this protection, they must apply for a new Medigap plan within 63 days of the termination of their existing plan.

Additionally, there are guaranteed issue rights associated with Medicare Advantage plans. Suppose someone’s Medicare Advantage plan is terminated. In that case, if they move out of its service area or they lose coverage due to circ*mstances beyond their control, they have a guaranteed issue right to enroll in a Medigap plan. To be eligible for this protection, they must apply for a Medigap plan within 63 days of the termination of their Medicare Advantage plan.

When to Enroll in a Medigap Plan in New Hampshire

As a resident of New Hampshire, you become eligible for a Medicare Supplement plan as soon as you enroll in Original Medicare. There is no specific deadline for enrolling in supplemental insurance, but if you apply outside of your Open Enrollment Period, you may need to answer underwriting questions about your health.

Your initial enrollment in Medicare Part B triggers a six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this time, you can enroll in a Medigap plan without undergoing medical underwriting. It is the best opportunity to get a Medicare Supplement plan because insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on preexisting health conditions.

If you delay enrolling in a Medigap plan due to having creditable coverage in addition to Medicare Part B, you can qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. This period grants you guaranteed issue rights, allowing you to get a Medigap plan without underwriting.

Does New Hampshire Allow Medicare Excess Charges?

Medicare Part B excess charges are an occasional additional expense that can occur on top of the Medicare-approved amount for a specific service. These charges are applicable only when your healthcare provider accepts Medicare but chooses not to accept Medicare assignment.

While not all states permit excess charges, most do, and New Hampshire is one of them. In cases where your provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they may bill you for an extra fee of up to 15% for the services rendered. However, it’s essential to note that most healthcare providers accept Medicare Assignment, making excess charges relatively uncommon.

Additional Medicare Coverage Options in New Hampshire

Aside from Medicare Supplement plans in NH, there are other options available for those who wish to receive additional coverage with Medicare.

Medicare Part D plans offer prescription drug coverage and are available to enroll in when you have Original Medicare. With or without a Medicare Supplement plan, Part D is essential to receive prescription drug benefits. However, make sure to check the formulary of your Part D plan to see if it covers your prescriptions.

Additionally, if you decide a Medigap plan is unsuitable for you, looking into a Medicare Advantage plan may be another great option. Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans combine Original Medicare coverage with additional benefits to provide you with a wide range of healthcare insurance.

There are also standalone dental, vision, and hearing plans for those enrolled in Medicare across New Hampshire. These plans allow you to visit the physician of your choice and receive care otherwise unavailable through Original Medicare.