The Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Idaho

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) pays a portion of health care costs, but beneficiaries must still pay deductibles, coinsurance and other expenses on their own.

Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, are sold through private insurance companies under contract with Medicare. Medigap beneficiaries pay additional monthly premiums to the carriers. In turn, the insurer pays for an array of deductibles, copays and excess charges not covered by Medicare. Almost half (44%) of those who receive Original Medicare benefits in Idaho also have a Medigap policy.¹

What Are the Best Idaho Medicare Supplement Plans?

Idaho residents may be able to pick from 10 different types of Medigap plans. The plans are standardized and include set benefits, no matter which insurance carrier sells them. 

Plans have varying levels of coverage and can include:

• Annual deductibles for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) or Part B (medical insurance)
• Coinsurance for hospital stays, medical services, skilled nursing, outpatient care and durable medical equipment
• Emergency medical care when traveling outside of the country
• Fees levied by health care providers that exceed Medicare-approved limits 

Many Idaho residents choose Plan F because of its extensive benefits. This plan covers all services mentioned above. It's also available as a high-deductible plan, which may have lower premiums. Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. 

Those who qualified for Medicare after January 1, 2020, must pay for the Part B deductible themselves and can choose Plan G or any other type of standardized Medigap plan listed above except for Plan C or Plan F. Plan G has similar benefits to Plan F and is also available as a high-deductible version. 

Plan N is also a sought-after Medigap choice in Idaho. It's the only plan that requires copays for some Part B services, typically resulting in lower premiums. Plan N may cost you a maximum of $20 for certain doctor's visits and up to $50 some emergency care. It covers foreign travel emergencies but not excess charges.

How Do I Enroll in an Idaho Medigap Plan?

Medicare has strict guidelines regarding enrollment periods for different health insurance plans. You can sign up year-round for Medigap, but you get certain protections if you apply when you're first eligible. This is known as your Medigap open enrollment period.

Each person's Medigap open enrollment period is different. It begins the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You have six months to buy any Medigap policy without being qualified by an insurance company based on your health. Insurers must offer you the same premium as a beneficiary who has no medical conditions.

This is a one-time open enrollment window. Once it ends, you must apply for Medigap like any other health insurance plan that involves medical assessments to determine the conditions of your coverage.

There are certain scenarios where you may have guaranteed issue rights to a Medigap policy, however. An insurer may be required to issue you a policy and cover pre-existing conditions without charging higher premiums if:

• You no longer have union or workplace insurance that supplements Medicare.
• You're within your Medicare Advantage trial right period and are returning to Original Medicare.
• You no longer have Medicare Advantage coverage because you've moved.

Your existing Medigap coverage is ending because the insurer isn't following Medicare rules or is leaving Medicare.