Medigap plans are changing in a big way for 2020. These changes affect anyone who is currently signed to a Medigap plan, those who are considering signing up and those who are eligible for them. These changes to the Medigap plans for 2020 could actually convince seniors to change their current coverage. That’s how significant they are, and this is why we think you should be aware of those changes.

We want to discuss the changes to Medigap plans for the coming year and cover what effect they may have on you. That way, you will be well informed and be able to make a clear and smart decision about your healthcare coverage.

The big changes to Medigap plans for the coming year are all coming from MACRA. That stands for Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act. This act deals partially with changes to the way Medicare identification cards are issued and what information they contain on them. For instance, they will no longer feature the member’s Social Security number but instead display a personal ID number.

The ID cards are a big part of the act, yes, but those are not what will be causing people to switch their coverage plans. One of the big changes resulting from MACRA is the discontinuation of Medigap plans F and C. These two plans are no longer going to be offered to new subscribers. They are now limited solely to people who have them already and who want to renew their coverage on them. Once you cancel your coverage to either of these plans now, you cannot sign up for them again. Once they are gone, they’re gone. Anyone who does not have Plan F or Plan C right now in 2019 cannot have them as their coverage plan in 2020.

These plans are for renewals only at this point, and they now join other past plans such as Medigap Plan I that are still being renewed each year but are no longer offered to new subscribers. They also join what is called a closed risk pool. What this means is that because there are no new subscribers and the current subscriber base is dwindling for these two plans, then they will become exponentially more expensive over time. The insurers have to make sure that their profits are being made somehow, and they would usually charge the new subscribers more for the plans and keep the prices low for the current subscribers to cover their costs, but that is not possible anymore.

This is why we cannot recommend Plan F or Plan C to any senior. Yes, Plan F covers all the supplemental expense there are- both deductibles, both copayments, coinsurance for Part A and coinsurance for nursing care, three pints of blood and the foreign travel exchange costs for up to 80%. It does all that, but it is still not a smart plan to pick for 2020 since it is becoming quite costly.

Other than their availability and price, however, Plan F and Plan C are not changing in any way. They are not losing or gaining any coverage, and they will still be the same old plans that they were before. Taking their place for the new subscriber, though, is High Deductible Medigap Plan G. This offer the full Plan G coverage at a lower monthly premium. The tradeoff is that you have to pay a higher deductible, but this can end up being a cheaper Plan G overall than the normal one. Plan G is the most popular out of all the Supplement plans that make up Medigap, so it makes sense to expand on it and add another variation.

Plan G will cover that majority of Medicare supplemental costs for you. It covers all the deductibles for Medicare Part A, as well as Part A’s hospice coinsurance and copayment for in-hospital stays. It covers many Part B expenses as well, such as the excess charges and the copayments. With this coverage plan, you will also be covered for foreign travel exchange for the same 80% as you get with Plan F. You also get coverage for the first three pints of blood you use each year as well as for nursing care coinsurance.

Plan G is a robust plan, and the higher deductible version can provide all of that with the added benefit of a lower monthly premium. That makes it a great version of an already economical plan. We don’t know yet what the deductible cost will be, but you can be sure it will be posted here as soon as we know. We update our site often to keep up with the newest, most current rates. You can use our site to compare rates and find a good deal. Keep checking back with us to see what those rates are and enjoy this free, no-obligation service as often as you need to.

Plan G makes for a great alternative to plans F or C. It covers nearly as much as either of them, taking care of all the supplemental expenses except for Medicare Part B deductible. That’s a deductible that will cost you just $185, and we figure it is often cheaper to just pay that yourself rather than to have it covered under an insurance plan. We recommend it as an alternative to the other plans, not just because of the similarities in coverage but also because the current price gap between Plan G and Plan F or C is only going to grow from year to year.

You may be able to save even more money if you choose Plan N instead. This one covers most supplementary expenses. It is identical to Plan G except for two small copayments of $20 and $50 you will need to pay each time you make a visit to the doctor’s office or to the emergency room, respectively. You also have to pay the Part B excess charges on your own. Of course, you are still responsible for that Part B deductible that Plan G does not cover either.

Medicare Supplements, or Medigap plans, are privately sold medical insurance plans. This means that even though Medicare designed them and is the only entity that can change their coverage, it is private insurance companies that sell them. We are going to look at some of the most notable insurers out there these days that offer Medigap plans for 2020.

Aetna– (NYSE: AET) Aetna sells a wide range of insurance plans, including dental and family plans, which means that seniors can get all their coverage in one place and save some money. Aetna tends to be affordable, and their status as one of the largest insurers in the nation means that they will often keep stable prices and not change much from year to year.

Mutual of Omaha– Based out of the town of Omaha, Nebraska, Mutual of Omaha is probably most well known for its customer service. It is a company with a spotless reputation, and it maintains that through excellent communication with its members, affordable pricing on its plans and a wealth of customer benefits to offer.

Cigna– (NYSE: CI) Cigna offers its senior members competitive pricing, access to medical professionals, personalized diet plans and workout regimens. The vast resources they have available to them mean that they can do a lot for their customers.

United Healthcare/AARP– (NYSE: AARP) United Healthcare owns AARP, and through AARP, services have been provided countless services for many decades. The company offers an extensive network of affiliated healthcare facilities and services that seniors find appealing when they are looking or a beneficial insurer.

BCBS: (NYSE: ANTM) Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) is significant in that it operates as a group of smaller companies under one vision. They have some of the most affordable rates in the business, and they also ensure their customers are taken care of through personal, individual care.

Have you heard about Medicare Advantage? It is a great alternative to Medigap that can actually be more affordable. It covers some different expenses and some of the same, so you would have to use it in place of Medigap and not alongside it. Advantage plans are meant to serve as a replacement for your basic Medicare plan, and your Medigap plan, if you have one. Medicare Advantage will cover all of Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B for you, along with any urgently needed or emergency medical services. On top of all that, Advantage plans can also provide coverage for your checkups you get throughout the year, along with prescription apparatus such as glasses or hearing aids. They could even cover the cost of Medicare Part D, which is a drug coverage plan for prescription meds.

Advantage plans come with a limited coverage area. They are limited due to the network of the insurer that sells them. So, a smaller company that sells Advantage plans will have a smaller coverage network than a large company would. You can get more out of the plan and ensure you get some coverage no matter where you go, if you choose a specific type of Advantage plan. PPO Advantage plans will cover you no matter where you go, giving you partial coverage outside the network and full coverage within the network. HMO plans are a cheaper alternative that covers you completely when inside the network and not at all outside the network. Both of these will give you coverage outside the network in the event of an emergency.

Like Medigap Plans, there are a few notable companies that sell Advantage plans. Let’s take a moment to discuss them:

Humana– (NYSE: HUM) Humana’s Advantage plans go by the names Humana Gold Plus, Humana Choice Pro and Humana Gold Choice. Some of these will be as cheap as $0 per month, but you still have to pay the deductibles.

AARP/United Healthcare– If you pick an AARP Advantage plan, then it will be labeled as AARP Complete. Both HMO and PPO plans are available through this provider, and you can enjoy one of the largest networks in the nation with them.

BCBS– BCBS Advantage plans go under a variety of names, such as Blue Saver, Blue Advantage and Blue Value. These are all priced competitively, as is BCBS’ standard.

Kaiser– (NYSE: KGHI) Kaiser-Permanente sells Advantage plans under the names of Medi-Cal and Advantage Plus. This Oakland, California-based insurance provider is a non-profit company that is connected to numerous medical professionals.

You should know that we are here to help make your choice. Our site makes it so easy to compare the plans and the prices. We will give you a list of current rates for any plan you choose. These cost you nothing and can be a great way to save money. We also offer professional Medigap and insurance advice, so feel free to contact us to get help in choosing your plan.

The insurance companies that sell these plans are the ones that set the prices, so it is in your best interest to find the best deal using free resources like what we are offering here. If you are looking at Medigap plans, then you can find the cheapest version of the plan you want and never fear that you are losing some coverage. The coverage on these is guaranteed, so you get the exact same medical expenses taken care of by your Plan whether you pay $200 or $250 each month for it. Plan F is always the same full coverage plan, no matter how much an insurer chooses to charge for it.

We want to help you, so please make use of our site and let us know if you need assistance with the Medigap plans for 2020. You could be one of the many seniors who saves hundreds of dollars each year with one of these.