The Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Montana

Medicare Part A and B coverage can make the cost of many medical procedures and treatment options much more affordable. These plans, however, do not cover all of the costs of medical treatment. Montana Medicare supplement plans are sometimes referred to as Medigap coverage plans because they fill in the gaps and cover out-of-pocket expenses that are not covered by Medicare Part A and B. 

Nearly 95,000 Medicare recipients in the state of Montana are enrolled in Medigap insurance. This means that roughly 50% of eligible individuals are without this valuable insurance coverage.¹ If you are on Medicare but have not yet enrolled in Medigap coverage, here is some key research to help you make the right choice for yourself and your family.

What Are the Best Montana Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medicare supplement plans are available in several types in the state of Montana, each of which is referred to by a letter. Medigap Plans A, B, C, F, K and L are available throughout the state and offer a variety of benefits and financial coverage options for Medicare recipients.

Every Medigap plan offered by insurers in Montana must include coinsurance coverage for Medicare Part A as well as coverage for up to 365 additional days of hospitalization. This is on top of the coverage already provided by Medicare for hospital stays. All Medigap plans available in Montana also must include at least partial coverage for copayments under Part B.

Medigap coverage is standardized. This means that whatever plan you choose, you will receive the same coverage across all insurers who offer the plan. Cost is the only difference in Medigap Plan A options from one insurer to another.

While the deductibles for some versions of Plans F, G and N may be higher than for other plans, they are among the most affordable and popular options for Medicare recipients in Montana. These plans offer at least some coverage for Medicare Part A deductible amounts and hospice care coinsurance requirements. Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance amounts are also covered by these plans, which can provide added peace of mind for those worried about the cost of going to the hospital in the state of Montana.

Not all Medigap plans are available to all Medicare recipients. For example, Plans C and F are not available options for those who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This includes individuals who turned 65 years of age and those who first enrolled in Medicare Part A on or after that date.

In some cases, it may be worthwhile to pay higher premiums for Medigap coverage to reduce the out-of-pocket Medicare costs Part A and Part B don't cover. This can significantly reduce the strain that medical costs can put on your budget, especially if you are on a fixed income.

How Do I Enroll in a Montana Medigap Plan?

You generally have a six-month open-enrollment period to obtain Medigap insurance in the state of Montana. This enrollment period begins on the first day of the month you turn 65 and lets you access all the available Medicare Supplement Plans available in your state. 

During this free enrollment period, insurance companies must offer Medigap insurance to applicants at the same price that a healthy person would pay for that coverage. After the six-month period has concluded, however, you will be subject to the underwriting rules put in place by the insurance company.

If you have medical conditions that require frequent or intermittent treatments, you could end up paying much more for coverage if you obtain it outside the six-month enrollment period. People with severe medical issues or conditions may be denied coverage altogether.

Insurance companies may be allowed to require a six-month waiting period before providing coverage for pre-existing conditions. If you are already covered by an insurance policy, however, you may be able to obtain immediate coverage for your pre-existing conditions through a new Medigap policy. This could potentially allow you to enjoy a seamless transition from employer-sponsored or private health insurance to Medicare and Medigap coverage when you become eligible for these services.

Some Medicare recipients may be eligible for guaranteed issue rights, which offer many of the same protections as the initial six-month period of eligibility. If you have previously had Medigap coverage that lapsed because the insurance company went bankrupt, you may be able to obtain Medigap insurance under the same favorable terms as those available during the first six months of eligibility.

These terms may also be available for those who switch from Medicare Advantage plans to Original Medicare and Medigap. If you qualify for guaranteed issue rights, you cannot be turned down or charged higher rates for your Medigap care because of pre-existing conditions.