The Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Delaware

Delaware seniors who are enrolled in the federal government's Medicare program can reduce their out-of-pocket costs with optional private insurance plans. Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly called Medigap, covers some or all of the Part A and Part B coinsurance and deductibles you owe when treated by a health care provider.

Despite the option to sign up for Medigap, only about 66,163 residents in Delaware, or 38.6% of Medicare beneficiaries in the state, do so. If you want to have Medigap coverage in place, read on for tips on comparing costs and choosing a Medicare Supplement insurance plan in Delaware.

What Are the Best Delaware Medicare Supplement Plans?

Delaware insurance companies sell 10 types of standardized Medigap plans. Each type has the same fixed benefits, regardless of the carrier. This simplifies your choices because the only differences between plans in the same category are the costs charged by insurers.

Start by looking at the most basic coverage available. All Medigap plans (A-D, F, G and K-N) provide coverage of:

• Part A hospital costs and coinsurance
• Part B coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance
• First three pints of blood, if a hospital needs to buy it for you

If you only need these benefits, opt for Medigap Plan A. Otherwise, look at additional benefits offered by different plan categories, such as the Part A deductible, excess charges, out-of-country emergency care and skilled nursing facility coinsurance.

The Part B annual deductible for medical services and supplies is covered by Plans C and F, but these plans are only sold to Delaware residents eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. Legislation passed by Congress requires new beneficiaries to pay for the Part B deductible themselves. 

Plans F and G offer the most extensive coverage, paying for all of the standardized Medigap benefits available. Plan G is designed for those who don't qualify for the Part B deductible through Plan F.

Plans F and G are also the only two Delaware Medigap plans with standard and high-deductible options. If you sign up for the high-deductible versions of Plans F or G, Medigap doesn't pay any of your costs until you reach the plan's calendar year deductible. However, because you're paying more up front, premiums for these plans tend to be lower than standard F and G plans.

Medigap Plan N also tends to have more affordable premiums because of cost-sharing. You may pay up to $20 for an appointment with your doctor and up to $50 for emergency room care if you don't need to be admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. Otherwise, Plan N covers 100% of most of your Part B coinsurance.

How Do I Enroll in a Delaware Medigap Plan?

Choosing the right Medigap plan in Delaware is only one step. You also need to watch the timing of your Medigap open enrollment period, which can save you money and maximize your coverage. 

You're given a Medigap open enrollment period once you're 65 and signed up for Medicare Part B. During this time, carriers can't make decisions about your coverage based on your medical history. Insurance providers must sell you the Medigap plan of your choice, giving you the widest selection of plans and rates. This period only lasts six months, after which insurance companies can underwrite any Medigap policy you wish to buy.

It's important to check when your Medigap open enrollment period starts because it's only offered to you once. Otherwise, the only other times you're protected by similar guaranteed issue rights is when you've lost health coverage due to specific circumstances — for example, your employer plan is terminated, your existing Medigap provider goes bankrupt or you move out of your Medicare Advantage service area.

If you qualify for guaranteed issue rights, you can apply to a Medigap plan without underwriting within 63 days of the end of your coverage.