Anthem Medicare Supplement: Key Benefits & Choices

Navigating the complexities of Medicare can feel like trying to decipher a foreign language, especially when you start exploring supplement options. This is where anthem medicare supplement plans come in, but choosing the right Medicare plan can feel overwhelming.

This article is your roadmap to understanding Anthem Medicare Supplement plans. We’ll explain the key elements, examine pros and cons, look at coverage specifics, and discuss costs. By the end, you will feel confident choosing an Anthem Medicare Supplement plan that fits your needs.

Table of Contents:

• What is Anthem Medicare Supplement?
• Where is Anthem Medicare Supplement Available?
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Anthem Medicare Supplement
  • Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Pros
  • Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Cons
• What’s Covered By Anthem Medicare Supplement?
• Which Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Can I Choose?
  • Medicare Plan G
  • Medicare Plan N
  • Medicare Supplement Plan L
• Understanding How Anthem Medicare Supplement Premiums Work
• Evaluating Anthem Medicare Supplement
• Conclusion

What is Anthem Medicare Supplement?

Anthem Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, helps pay for medical expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t fully cover, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It acts like a safety net, catching expenses that could strain your finances.

Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, Anthem Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare, not in place of it. It’s like having a partner that boosts your coverage and offers extra peace of mind.

Where is Anthem Medicare Supplement Available?

While a major player in the health insurance world, Anthem’s Medicare Supplement plans are available in only 14 states:

• California.
• Colorado.
• Connecticut.
• Georgia.
• Indiana.
• Kentucky.
• Maine.
• Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area).
• Nevada.
• New Hampshire.
• Ohio.
• Virginia (excluding the Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, D.C.).
• Wisconsin.

Keep in mind that it’s important to verify availability and specific plan options in your state with Anthem directly. Insurance regulations and offerings can change. To find the best insurance plans in your area, compare all Medicare Supplement plans before deciding.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Anthem Medicare Supplement

Like any important decision, weighing the pros and cons will give you a broader perspective on Anthem Medicare Supplement. Consider what you’re looking for in health coverage and if this provider aligns with your needs.

Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Pros

• **Supportive Network**: Working with a company that has a reputation for offering knowledgeable agents and dedicated benefit managers can simplify the Medicare process. Access to help is reassuring, especially when getting used to Medicare coverage. Anthem’s producer resources show the company’s commitment to educating and assisting their salesforce, which means better support for you.
• **Competitive Pricing**: Healthcare costs can add up. One thing that sets Anthem apart is its commitment to offering cheap Medicare supplements and competitive premium prices in the states they service.
• **Extra Perks**: Beyond core medical coverage, Anthem offers additional benefits and discounts, including the popular SilverSneakers fitness program and pharmacy savings via ScriptSave/WellRx. There are also hearing benefits through NationsHearing and vision discounts through providers like Glasses.com and Premier LASIK. Anthem even has self-help programs like Fitbit, Jenny Craig, and ChooseHealthy. Having a gym membership, saving money on prescriptions, and receiving health journey assistance with self-help programs can improve your quality of life. These programs can also minimize healthcare costs. These valuable extras are a deciding factor for many people choosing between Medicare Supplement providers.

Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Cons

• **Limited Geographic Reach**: Anthem only covers 14 states. If you travel frequently or don’t live in a covered state, you’ll need to find Medigap coverage elsewhere. However, Medicare Supplements are available nationwide and could provide broader options for out-of-state healthcare.
• **Limited Customer Feedback**: Compared to other Medicare Supplement providers, Anthem has relatively few public reviews about their Medigap plans. Without substantial customer feedback, gauging consumer experiences and getting a clear picture of satisfaction levels can be tricky. Though Anthem receives decent ratings from organizations like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), this lack of detailed consumer input may make it harder to decide if they are the right fit.

What’s Covered By Anthem Medicare Supplement?

Medicare supplement insurance reduces out-of-pocket expenses from Original Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance). For example, these policies cover costs such as:

• Copayments for doctor’s visits and hospital stays.
• Deductibles that you pay before Medicare begins to cover services.
• Coinsurance, which is a percentage of healthcare costs you share with Medicare.

Remember that while Medicare Supplement insurance helps manage these costs, it does not usually cover prescription drugs. You’ll need to enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan, also available from Anthem and other companies.

An important difference to remember is the approach to cost-sharing between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage:

Original Medicare + Supplement: This combination often involves higher monthly premiums. However, most or even all of your medical bills are covered once you meet any deductibles. Think of it like paying a larger entrance fee for more extensive coverage.

Medicare Advantage: This approach usually has lower monthly premiums. However, you could have higher out-of-pocket expenses if you need frequent medical care. Medicare Advantage can be cost-effective. However, you need to understand how cost-sharing works and anticipate your potential healthcare needs. Consider the disadvantages of Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage before deciding.

Which Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans Can I Choose?

Like other companies offering Medicare Supplements, Anthem provides the 10 standardized Medigap plans available across most of the United States. Each plan has a different letter: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. You must have been eligible for Medicare before 2020 to enroll in plans C and F. These plans are not available to those newly eligible.

The other plans come with varying coverage levels, impacting costs such as copayments and deductibles. It’s wise to compare the coverage options before enrolling.

Below are three popular Anthem Medicare Supplement Plans and their details:

Medicare Plan G

If predictability and low out-of-pocket expenses are important to you, then Medicare Plan G might be a good choice. It’s known for its comprehensive coverage, making you responsible only for the Part B deductible. This plan is favored for providing extensive coverage. However, it’s helpful to review the Medicare Plan G Pros and Cons to see if it truly aligns with your needs.

• Covers Part A deductible, copayments, and coinsurance.
• Covers Part B copayments and coinsurance.
• Covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
• Covers 80% of foreign travel emergency care costs.
• A High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G is also available for those who want lower premiums and can afford potentially higher upfront costs.
• Leaves you responsible for the Part B deductible.

Medicare Plan N

Medicare Plan N balances coverage with affordable premiums. You have copays for doctor’s and emergency room visits, but lower monthly costs. This plan suits individuals who want coverage similar to Plan G at a slightly lower price. Medicare Plan N has 7 top benefits worth looking into. Additionally, reading a Medicare Plan N vs Plan G comparison can help you decide which best suits your needs.

• Covers Part A deductible, copayments, and coinsurance.
• Covers Part B copayments, coinsurance, and excess charges.
• Covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
• Covers 80% of foreign travel emergency care costs.
• Leaves you responsible for the Part B deductible, copayments of up to $20 for office visits, and up to $50 for emergency room visits (unless you are admitted).

Medicare Supplement Plan L

This option shares the cost of your medical care up to an annual limit. Once you reach that limit, Medicare Supplement Plan L will pay 100% of your covered healthcare expenses for the rest of the year.

• Covers 75% of the Part A deductible.
• Covers 75% of Part A copayments and coinsurance.
• Covers 75% of Part B copayments and coinsurance.
• Covers 75% of skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
• Covers 75% of the first 3 pints of blood.
• Covers 75% of foreign travel emergency care costs, up to plan limits.
• Once your out-of-pocket spending reaches $3,450 (in 2023), Plan L covers 100% of covered costs. Make sure to review plan details for specific out-of-pocket limits, as these can fluctuate annually.

Choosing the best Medicare Supplement plan is about deciding how much coverage you want while balancing your monthly premium budget. You should also understand your current needs and future health risks. Check out a complete breakdown of Medigap Plans (A to N) for more details about each plan’s specific coverage levels.

Understanding How Anthem Medicare Supplement Premiums Work

Your monthly payment for an Anthem Medicare Supplement plan depends on several factors:

• The plan you pick: Plans with broader coverage have a higher monthly cost.
• Where you live: Costs vary by location.
• Your age: Premiums can change based on your age when you enroll in Medicare and how long you’ve been covered.
• Tobacco usage: Premiums might be higher for tobacco users.

Costs change based on these factors, so comparing plan options for your location is crucial. Consider if Anthem offers the best prices in your area.

Evaluating Anthem Medicare Supplement

Before making your final decision, examine some key ratings points, as these can offer a helpful overview of Anthem’s performance. Just like individual customer experiences, rating systems provide helpful information that factors into your decision.

Anthem consistently receives decent customer satisfaction scores:

• A score of 4.0 in Kentucky and Ohio, and a slightly lower 3.0 overall in J.D. Power’s Medicare Advantage study.
• A respectable 4.0 overall rating for its plans in Colorado from the NCQA.
• The company holds a decent “B” rating from the Better Business Bureau, demonstrating its commitment to addressing customer complaints.

Conclusion

Choosing an Anthem Medicare Supplement plan, or any Medicare Supplement plan for that matter, is about finding the right fit for your needs and situation. You’ll be on track to make an informed choice about your healthcare coverage by considering the costs, coverage, and availability of anthem medicare supplement plans.

Research, understanding plan details, and getting answers to your questions are crucial for finding a plan that provides the support you need.