Looking for the best Medicare supplement North Dakota offers? As healthcare costs continue to rise, finding the right coverage to protect against unexpected expenses is crucial, especially for residents of the Peace Garden State. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, are designed to cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t—like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance—helping you enjoy greater financial security as you age.
As a Medicare Navigator with over a decade of experience, I’ve been helping North Dakota seniors and Medicare beneficiaries since 2012. I’ve assisted thousands in understanding their plan options, comparing costs, and making informed decisions about enrollment. You can feel confident knowing that I’ll guide you through the process with clarity and confidence.
Table of Contents:
- Medicare Supplement Plans in North Dakota: How They Work
- Breaking Down North Dakota’s Medigap Plans
- Finding Affordable Medicare Supplements in North Dakota
- Local Help With Medigap
- Conclusion
Medicare Supplement Plans in North Dakota: How They Work
In North Dakota, as in most states, Medicare Supplement insurance plans are standardized and identified by letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N). While each plan type offers the same basic benefits across all insurance providers, premiums can vary from one company to another. You’ll learn about those different Medicare plans in the next section.
So while comparing premiums is wise, it’s also crucial to look beyond cost and factor in a company’s customer service reputation and financial stability. North Dakota Medicare Advantage plans provide another alternative for health coverage, so make sure you fully evaluate which is a better fit for your lifestyle. You might also find some downsides to the different coverage options, so make sure to weigh the disadvantages of Medicare Supplement plans when making a choice.
Breaking Down North Dakota’s Medigap Plans
To make an informed decision, you need a solid grasp of the various Medigap plan options available in North Dakota. Each lettered Medicare Supplement plan provides a set of coverage benefits.
Plan A: This plan offers the most basic coverage, covering Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (for up to 365 days beyond what Medicare covers), Part B coinsurance, the first three pints of blood, and hospice care coinsurance. You may want to evaluate other options if you need additional benefits since this offers the least amount of benefits for Medicare supplement North Dakota.
Plan B: Plan B offers the same benefits as Plan A but includes coverage for your Part A deductible. If you think there’s a good chance you will need to visit the hospital frequently or even stay overnight this might be a better choice than Plan A since it includes the Medicare Supplement Plan deductible.
Plan C: This comprehensive plan mirrors Plan B and tacks on coverage for skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, your Part B deductible, and even covers 80% of emergency care during foreign travel, subject to specific limits. Plan C, along with Medigap Plan F, is no longer available to those who became Medicare-eligible after December 31, 2019.
Plan D: While similar to Plan C, Plan D skips coverage for the Part B deductible but retains all other features. The Part B Deductible may be less costly than having higher premiums, so do your own calculations. Plan D does include foreign travel exchange.
Plan F: This option is quite a popular one. Just like Plan C, it’s off-limits for those new to Medicare after December 31, 2019. Plan F boasts full coverage for Part A coinsurance, hospital stays (for an additional year beyond Medicare coverage), Part B coinsurance or copays, your Part A deductible, the first three pints of blood, skilled nursing facility care, Part B excess charges, Part B deductible, and hospice care.
There’s also a High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G in some states too. These plans have lower premiums, but you pay more for covered health care until you meet the annual deductible.
Plan G: Medigap Plan G provides nearly the same coverage as Plan F except it doesn’t cover the Part B deductible. Since this was no longer available as an option to purchase by new enrollees for the past 5 years, most likely you should focus on other options. Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare supplement North Dakota option currently available.
Plan K: This plan offers a lower level of coverage for numerous benefits. For instance, it covers 50% of Part B coinsurance or copayments, blood costs (for the first three pints), Part A hospice care, skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, Part A deductible, and foreign travel emergency. As with plans F and G, Plan K includes the possibility of a high-deductible option.
Plan L: Similar to Plan K, Medicare Supplement Plan L kicks in after your Part B deductible is met. Although with a slightly higher price tag than K, it offers more extensive coverage with lower out-of-pocket maximums. This also comes with a high-deductible version in certain areas.
Plan M: Sharing similarities with Plan D, Plan M drops coverage for the Part B deductible, however, it does include foreign travel exchange.
Plan N: The Medicare Supplement Plan N provides similar coverage as Plan G, but you have a copay for doctor and emergency room visits.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans Options
Take a moment to review this table highlighting which Medicare benefits each Medigap Plan (A to N) helps to pay for:
| Medigap Benefits | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C | Plan D | Plan F* | Plan G* | Plan K | Plan L | Plan M | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits run out) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes*** |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) | No | No | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | No | No | 80% | 80% |
| Out-of-pocket limit** | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,600 | $3,310 | N/A | N/A |
* Plans F and G sometimes have high-deductible options available in certain states. *** You pay a copay of up to $20 for each visit to your doctor (except for preventive care visits), and up to a $50 copay for each emergency room visit if the visit doesn’t result in an inpatient admission.
Finding Affordable Medicare Supplements in North Dakota
Did you know North Dakota utilizes a high-risk pool? It was established before the Affordable Care Act and remains active, providing two specific Medicare Supplement plans. These Medicare Supplement plans offer a valuable resource to those who may not meet the underwriting requirements of private insurance companies.
For most of the other Medigap plans, a 65-year-old female in North Dakota who doesn’t use tobacco could see monthly premiums ranging from $103 to $226, based on 2022 data. You can find the Medicare Supplement rates are typically released at the beginning of each year.
It is important to know, you will generally get the most favorable rates on Medicare supplement North Dakota plans when you apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is your six-month window that starts the month you turn 65 and have enrolled in Medicare Part B. You also have a Special Enrollment Period if you have a life event, like moving to a new area or losing other creditable coverage.
Local Help With Medigap
Selecting the best Medicare Supplements in North Dakota is simplified with local organizations to help you every step of the way. They can provide you with valuable member resources.
North Dakota Senior Law Project: The North Dakota Senior Law Project partners with Legal Aid of North Dakota, helping residents aged 60 and above. They offer guidance in areas such as applying for Medicare, minimizing out-of-pocket expenses related to health coverage, resolving billing issues, and navigating denied claims. Call them at (877) 579-7562.
North Dakota Insurance Department: Need a guiding hand? The North Dakota Insurance Department offers its State Health Insurance Counseling (SHIC) program. From clarifying questions to tackling billing challenges, their skilled counselors ensure you understand all aspects. The number is (888) 575-6611 if you’d like to contact them.
North Dakota Aging and Disability Resource Link: Seeking more information about your health plan? The North Dakota Aging and Disability Resource Link connects you with resources and organizations geared towards understanding government health programs. If you prefer more personalized assistance you can reach out to them at (855) 462-5465.
North Dakota Adult and Aging Services: This department helps older adults and those living with physical disabilities. Discover resources at the Department of Human Services’ Adult and Aging Services division. If you need a professional, the author of this article, Danielle K. Blackwell, focuses on providing Medicare information and senior life decisions.
Conclusion
It’s understandable why researching the nuances of Medicare supplement North Dakota can feel overwhelming. That’s where Medigap plans come into the picture, providing a valuable financial safety net to ensure your peace of mind and to potentially limit unforeseen health costs.
With a variety of Medigap plans and community resources, Medicare supplement North Dakota is easier to navigate. Take advantage of these tools, ask questions, and you’ll have the resources needed to make the best choices for your health and financial well-being.