Medigap plans, also called Medicare Supplement plans, are sold by private companies not affiliated with Medicare. These private companies, however, strictly follow the rules and regulations laid down by Medicare. Medigap plans fill in the gaps that Original Medicare does not cover. In other words, they pay for the portion of healthcare costs left over after Medicare pays their portion.
Certain features single certain insurance companies out as the best options for clients. These features include competitive pricing, excellent customer care service, household discounts, easy accessibility, and availability. Also, the policies offered because there are companies that limit their offers to the policies least required by Medicare. These include Plan A, Plan C and Plan F (for people on Medicare prior to January 1st 2020), and Plan D and G for people new to Medicare.
Many Medigap companies exist in Michigan, so choosing one that best fits your needs can be difficult. Below, we have compiled a list of the top 7 Medigap companies in Michigan for 2022. The information will guide your choice and help you maximize your Medicare Supplement Insurance benefits.
What Are the Top 7 Medigap Companies in Michigan for 2022?
United Healthcare (AARP)
Aetna ( Continental Life Insurance Company)
CVS Accendo
Mutual Of Omaha
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
HAP (Health Alliance Plan)
Priority Health
United Healthcare (AARP)
AARP is a reputable, nonprofit organization that provides Medicare services and information to people aged 50 and above. As a membership organization, AARP advocates for its retired and older members and offers them Medicare plans from its partner insurance company, United Healthcare. At the time of this writing United Healthcare has over 43 million Medicare supplement customers spanning across all 50 states. This makes them the largest Medigap provider in the country
United Healthcare is known for set plans and coverage. It offers eight Medigap policies including Plan A, B,C, F, G, K, L, and N giving you a wide variety of options to pick from.
So depending on where you live in Michigan, United Healthcare may be a good option in 2022 because:
It uses a community-rated pricing method. This is a good one for older seniors because your rates won't increase based on age.
In most states, it offers a household discount when both spouses buy a Medigap policy.
Some policies under AARP include discounts on vision, hearing, and dental services
Some plans also offer Renew Active which provides a Gym Membership at no additional cost.
Some AARP Medigap policies offer an AARP Smart Driver course to members. Completing the driver safety course may qualify members for auto insurance discounts.
It offers a discount off of monthly premiums when members pay via electronic funds transfer from their bank account.
Aetna (Continental Life Insurance Company)
The Continental Life Insurance Company is a part of Aetna. It is financially strong and rated A+ by reputable agencies such as AM Best and Better Business Bureau. Also, it has a market experience of over 25 years.
Aetna is one of your best choices in Medigap companies for 2022 because it provides coverage details for the numerous Medigap plans it offers. These include Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans A, B, F, G, and N.
With Aetna, you are sure to have ample information about your options on the company's website before choosing one. Customers can get online information in various formats to better understand coverage information. Information kits can also be mailed to interested clients.
Aetna has two apps available on Google Play and the App Store, Aetna Health and Attain by Aetna. Depending on several factors, primarily your zip code, Aetna may be a fantastic Medigap option for you because:
Aetna offers a 7% household discount on your monthly premiums if two or more people in your household have a Medigap policy from Aetna.
They offer a 12 month rate guarantee as long as premiums are paid on time
CVS Accendo
You are most likely familiar with the retail pharmacy chain CVS. Accendo Insurance Company is a part of the CVS Health family of companies and is also an Aetna affiliate. They are new to the Medigap market as of March of 2020.
Even though they are new they are a popular choice for many people depending on age, zip code, gender, and eligibility for household discounts. CVS has a good financial rating of A for financial strength and issuer credit from A.M. Best
CVS Accendo offers two extra plans apart from the required plans, that is Plan A and Plan F. The extra two are Plan G and N. CVS Accendo is a good Medigap company as it offers a 14% household discount.
Depending on where you live in Michigan CVS Accendo may be the best Medicare Supplement option for you. Below is a list of a few things to consider:
They also offer a 12 month rate guarantee as long as premiums are paid on time
They offer a household discount of 14% off of the individual rate. What's unique is as long as you have lived with an adult (but not more than 3 adults) and have done so for at least a year you are eligible for this discount. This applies even if the other adult does not have a Medigap policy.
They offer Attained age pricing
Mutual Of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha is a reputable insurance company that has been in business since 1909. In Michigan, Mutual of Omaha offers Plan A and F and three others (Plan G, High Ded G, and N).
Mutual of Omaha offers a 12% discount to spouses or domestic partners of members who have applied for or are applying for plans with the company or an affiliate company. They offer Attained age pricing for their Medigap policies.
Here are some things to consider with Mutual of Omaha:
Mutual of Omaha offers a healthy lifestyle program to its Medigap members. The Mutually Well program includes access to fitness facilities and a mobile app that offers personalized exercise and nutritional programming.
It offers discounts on various wellness products and services to its members.
It offers a 12% household discount to members who are married or live with a person over the age of 60.
Discounts on hearing tests and hearing aids through Amplifon Hearing Healthcare
Discounts on eye exams and eyewear through EyeMed Vision Care
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is one of your top choices in the insurance market for 2022. Statistics show that almost one in three Americans use Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) companies to access safe, quality, and affordable healthcare.
Headquartered in Detroit, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is a non profit mutual insurance company that was founded in 1939 and currently employs over 8,000 people. They serve over 4 million people here in Michigan making them the states largest insurer.
Blue Cross offers a wide variety of Medigap policies with fair pricing. Depending on your location and other factors, BCBS may be a good option. Here are a few things to consider:
Eligibility for Household discounts
The option to purchase supplemental Dental and Vision and Hearing coverage for an additional monthly premium with some Medigap plans
Medicare Supplement Well-being program with Blue365 member discounts
Access to the 24/7 Nurse line
HAP (Health Alliance Plan)
HAP is a Michigan based Non profit health plan employing over 1,300 hundred people and offices in Troy, Flint, and Detroit. They have been a subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health System since 1986.
The Health Alliance (HAP) has over 25 years of Medigap market experience and offers six Medicare Supplement Plans. These are Plan A, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N and are all based on attained age pricing.
Depending on where you live, HAP may be a great option because of the following reasons:
It offers a household discount for spouses, or domestic partners enrolled in another HAP Medigap plan.
It offers dental and vision benefits at a low cost. With any Health Alliance Medicare Supplement plan, members have access to the Delta Dental PPO™ and Delta Dental Premier® and Eyemed Insight network providers.
It offers worldwide emergency coverage for Michigan-based members in partnership with Assist America.
It offers gym or fitness center membership benefits at no extra cost. These benefits are available with Peerfit® Move. you'll be able to take advantage of a variety of fitness options such as gyms, studios, online classes as well as at-home FitKits.
Priority Health
Priority Health is the second-largest health plan based in Michigan, the first being Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Headquartered in Grand Rapids, Priority health is a Non-profit majority owned by Spectrum Health System.
Priority Health offers 6 Medicare Supplement plans - Plan A, C, D, F, G, and N.
When you buy Medigap plans from Priority Health, you are eligible to enjoy the following extras:
A 12% household discount on monthly premiums if two or more members of your family buy plans from Priority Health
Vision services discounts through EyeMed
Hearing services discounts through TruHearing
Global emergency travel assistance through Assist America
When considering your zip code and other factors, Priority Health may be a great fit for you.
What Should You Consider When Comparing the Best Medigap Companies in Michigan?
We have highlighted the top 7 Medigap companies for 2022 in Michigan. So, what should you consider when comparing companies? Here are a few important things you should keep in mind when shopping for a Medigap plan:
Plan Availability
Insurance companies are not mandated to sell every plan letter. Instead, they are required to offer Plan A and Plan C or F at least while some companies offer all three. The company can then decide whether or not to offer other Medigap policies. So, find out if the insurance company you choose sells the type of plan you want.
It's important to make sure that you identify first what Medigap plan letter will work best for your situation. To read more about the differences between Medigap plan options read our “Complete Guide to Medigap Coverage”
Price
While plans may have the same coverage regardless of the company, prices vary from company to company.
Before you buy a plan, know the price for each plan and the other costs that come with it. Once you do, compare and choose the option that best suits your needs. The price that you go for will determine the company for you.
Another thing you may want to consider is the rate increase history. Some companies may offer excellent and affordable rates at first but are known for significant rate increases after only a couple of years. Other companies have a history of more lenient rate increases.
So, looking through at how they've previously increased their rates is a factor you should look into before when comparing Medigap companies in Michigan. A good independent agent will have access to proprietary software that can give you further insights not readily available to the public.
Market Experience
You might want to consider how long a company has been offering Medigap. Insurance companies enter and exit the Medicare market every year. Usually, companies with good market experience usually have decent rate stability.
So, go for Medigap companies that have strong market experience.
Customer Service
Before you decide on an insurance company, you want to make sure that you can always reach a customer service officer easily.
A good Independent agent can help give you insight on this matter as they work with companies day in and day out so will often know firsthand which companies are easier to deal with than others.
The Insurance Agent
Find an insurance agent, especially an independent agent like us, that is easy to access and ready to help you with information, updates, and issues surrounding your policy.
When you do so, they can help you find a plan that works best for your specific needs.
Although all of these companies do a good job, a good independent agent will help you determine which one will be the best fit for you, depending on where you live in Michigan. This is because pricing is based on the zip code. One company may have lower premiums in Metro Detroit for their Medicare Supplement premiums but have higher premiums for people that live in Northern Michigan.
Other factors that make a big difference are age and gender. Certain companies will work better for different people, and using an experienced local independent agent in Michigan will help you save money and time.
We at Your Local Medicare Help are more than ready to help you with your choices. Contact us HERE.
Do You Need Medigap?
If you are concerned about out-of-pocket costs with your Medicare coverage, you need a Medicare Supplement Plan for further coverage.
If you have the Original Medicare and are concerned about the financial burden of Skilled Nursing care, Hospital Stays, or Emergency Healthcare services you should consider buying a supplemental coverage plan.
What Are the Benefits of Buying a Medigap Plan?
The benefit of a Medigap plan is that it fills the gap in your Original Medicare coverage. It pays for the healthcare costs not paid for by Original Medicare depending on the Medigap plan letter you select. Some of these costs include the following:
Medicare Part A Deductible
Medicare Part A Coinsurance
Medicare Part B Coinsurance (20%)
Medicare Part B Excess Charges (15%)
Healthcare outside the United States (depending on the plan letter you purchase)
Is a Medigap Plan Worth It?
Is having insurance on your home or vehicle important to you? If the answer is yes, then you would most likely answer the same for Medigap coverage. A Medigap or Medicare Supplement plan can help pay for deductibles, and coinsurance left over from Original Medicare. Depending on your chosen plan, you can enjoy coverage on emergency room (ER) visits, medical services outside the United States, nursing care, and many more with little to no out of pocket cost.
Also, coverage by Medicare Supplement Insurance is guaranteed for life. So, as long as you pay your monthly premiums, your coverage cannot be canceled.
If You Need an Honest Agent, Contact Us!
As an unbiased broker, we at “your local Medicare help” assist our clients by figuring out what plans their doctor takes and helping the client find the most competitive plans, and they never pay us anything. With so many options available, Medicare can be confusing. Whether you are looking for someone to come and sit down with you at your kitchen table, meet at our local office over a cup of coffee or discuss your options over the phone, we are here to help.
No matter the environment, we have the resources and technology to make enrollment in Medicare plans accurate and simple. Our personalized expert guidance is FREE of charge so that you can save time and money! And even better, when you take care of your Medicare plan enrollment with us, we make a donation to Operation Underground Railroad, which is pioneering the fight against Human Sex Trafficking. Read More HERE