The only two new Medicare Supplemental Plans to be added to the list of Medigap Insurance Plans this year boasted lower premiums than some plans that were already on the market. Medigap Plans M and N keep premiums low by requiring you to pay a portion of Medicare’s charges.
Plans M and Plans N
Medicare Supplement Plan M only covers 50% of the Medicare Part A’s $1, 100 deductible which needs to be met before Medicare starts to pick up your hospital bills. If hospitalization is unlikely this policy might make sense for you. Plan N reduces premiums by requiring you to pay for part of your Medicare’s Part B co-insurance amounts for doctor’s services. This plan could work well if you typically spend little on Medicare Part B co-insurance.
Beyond these new low-cost plans one of the biggest names in health insurance has actually proposed cutting Medicare Supplement Premiums where the need is the greatest. A name you don’t often think of as being a leader in low-cost health insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, wants to offer larger discounts on Medicare Supplement Plans to Michigan seniors with the lowest incomes.
How Does The Blue Cross Plan Lower Medicare Supplemental Insurance Premiums?
As the largest insurer in Michigan, Blue Cross already uses 1% of what it collects in premiums to help lower the price for people with Medigap Insurance to supplement their Medicare coverage. Blue Cross representatives say that this translates into a 39% discount which is currently being evenly distributed to those with Michigan Medigap Policies. Blue Cross is requesting to skew that distribution in order to make the largest discounts available those who need the most help.
All seniors would still benefit from discounts of at least 25% but those with the greatest need in Michigan would get extra assistance. For example, the Blue Cross plan would mean that a senior with an income of $16,245 would need to pay only half of the $191 monthly premium.
If this change is approved by the state Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation more than 200,000 Michigan seniors could see a change in their Blue Cross Medicare Supplement Premiums. If you have an income above $32,600 you would see an increase but all others would get a reduction in their premiums. Is it possible this idea will spread to other states beyond Michigan?
How Can Participants Reduce Their Medicare Insurance Premiums?
No matter what state you live in there is a simple way to keep your premiums low. One of the easiest ways to be sure you are getting the best Medicare Supplement value is to request an annual review where independent agents compare your needs to other Medigap Policies.
If your health makes it simple to change policies you may find a lower priced plan that works better for you. It is a good idea to request such a free policy review once a year so you don’t miss out as new plans become available. If your needs change, of course, anytime is the right time to see if a different Medicare Supplement can save you money.
Learn more about Medigap plans & rates in Michigan at http://emedigap-plans.com/michigan-medicare-supplement-plans. Our Michigan Medigap Insurance brokers will help you compare Medigap Insurance rates and plans in Michigan today. To talk to an expert in Michigan Medigap coverage call toll free 888-452-7949 today!