The Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Connecticut

While the federal government's Medicare plan pays for most essential health services, some people buy private insurance to help with the shortfall. Almost 161,000 Connecticut residents, or 36% of those receiving Medicare benefits in the state, are signed up for Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). 

Medigap plans cover some out-of-pocket costs you must pay when using Medicare. The specific costs covered depend on the Medigap plan that you choose.  

You can find Medicare Supplement plans where you live by comparing plans from several different insurance companies online.

What Are the Best Connecticut Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medigap plans sold in Connecticut are grouped into 10 letter categories. Because they're standardized, policies in the same category have identical coverage, even if sold by different insurance companies. Carriers set their own premiums, and standardization lets you more easily compare costs.

All Medicare Supplement plans include basic benefits: coinsurance for Part A hospital stays and hospice care and Part B coinsurance/copays for doctor services, treatments and tests.  

The most basic Medigap policy you can buy in Connecticut is Plan A. Other plans offer an additional mix of benefits, such as coverage of: 

• Part A deductibles 
• Part B deductibles (for those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020)
• Emergency care when traveling in a foreign country
• Excess fees payable to a provider above what's approved by Medicare
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance

Plan N is popular among Medicare beneficiaries because it tends to have lower premiums. It has the same coverage as Plan D but requires a copay of up to $20 for some doctor's visits and up to $50 for some emergency room visits. These small fees help carriers to keep their monthly premiums down.

Many Connecticut residents also opt for Plans F and G, which offer the most substantial Medigap coverage. Plan F pays for the Part B medical deductible, but changes in regulations mean this benefit is no longer available to anyone new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.  You can choose Plan G for the same coverage without the Part B benefit.

How Do I Enroll in a Connecticut Medigap Plan?

Medicare Supplement plans can end up costing you more if you join outside of your individual Medigap open enrollment period. Be sure to note this window — it's triggered once you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. It's a one-time enrollment window and lasts only six months.

During your Medigap open enrollment period, you can sign on to the Medicare Supplement plan of your choice in Connecticut without restrictions because of age, health or lifestyle. Insurance carriers are legally required to sell you a policy and can only charge the same premium offered to those in good health. If you sign up for Medigap outside of this window, you may have fewer choices of plans. Insurers can underwrite your policy and set premiums based on their risk assessment.

If you need to change Medicare coverage because of unusual circumstances, you may be eligible for guaranteed issue rights. These are similar to the protections you have during your Medigap open enrollment period and may apply if your existing insurance carrier goes out of business or no longer participates in Medicare. You might also have guaranteed issue rights if your Medicare Advantage coverage ends because you moved or you switch back to Original Medicare within a year.