What Do Arizona Medicare Supplement Plans Cover and How Do They Work?

Arizona Medicare Supplement plans act as a supplement to the Federal Medicare program. The plans are standardized by the Federal government and are required to go by the Federal Medigap chart. You can view the chart here Medigap coverage chart.

In total, there are ten different plan coverage designs. Some of the plans are more common and advantageous than other plans. The most common plans are: Medigap Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. With all of the Medicare supplement plan options, the “gaps” in “original” Medicare (Medicare Parts A & B) are filled in by the plans. Depending on the plan you select, a different amount of the Medicare “gaps” are eliminated. Plan F is, by far, the most comprehensive of the available plans and is often viewed as the most advantageous – it pays both Medicare deductibles (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B), as well as the 20% that Medicare itself doesn’t cover at the doctor and hospital. However, in most cases particularly in Arizona, Plan G is often a better option and a better value.

It does not matter which company you purchase your Medigap plan from – the plan will work the same way:

  • Most importantly, you will not have any restrictive networks that you must go to in order to receive coverage. Medicare supplement plans do not have networks. All doctors/hospitals that take Medicare are required to take the standardized Medicare Supplement plans that are sold in Arizona.
  • Secondly, you are not involved in the claims filing or paying process. All Medicare supplement claims are paid/processed through the Medicare “crossover” system. This system is in place so that you do not have to file claims yourself or do anything to ensure timely payment of the claims.

Arizona Medigap Comparison

Since coverage, doctor acceptance, and claims payments are standardized with all Medicare Supplement companies, there are two significant things to compare when looking at a Medigap insurance are: price and company reputation. These can both vary greatly from company to company and they should be the basis for your decision on a company, when dealing with Medicare Supplement insurance.

It would certainly be virtually impossible to contact all 40+ companies that offer Medicare Supplements in Arizona to obtain quotes (and many companies don’t give rates over the phone, only in person). That said, you can easily obtain a chart showing rates from an independent brokerage/agent. This allows you to compare all of the plans in a centralized, unbiased place. An independent agent can also give you information about plan customer service, rate increase history, and other factors that you are not able to obtain from the companies themselves. Regardless of whether it is Medicare-Supplement.US or someone else, it is advisable to use an independent agent in your comparison and plan selection process.

Medicare-Supplement.US can help you compare plans by providing a customized rate quote analysis by email. This analysis allows you to see rates and company ratings, all together in a centralized place, and this should help in your understanding of all the plan options. In order to obtain a Medigap rate comparison by email, just request a Arizona Medigap quote.

Special State-Specific Implications for Arizona

As we’ve discussed above, coverage is the same with all companies offering Medigap insurance nationwide. However, there are some specific guidelines and things to know that pertain specifically to Medicare Supplement plans in Arizona:

  • Arizona DOES use tobacco usage as an underwriting criteria when you are turning 65 or in open enrollment or “guaranteed issue” period (many states do). There are no limitations, or higher rates, based on any pre-existing conditions or factors like tobacco use, when you are in open enrollment or “guaranteed issue”.
  • Nearly all companies have gender-specific rates. In the case of gender-specific rates, female rates are typically 5-10% lower than the male rates.
  • Arizona Medicare Supplements do permit household discounts to be applied on the plans. A good number of the companies offer this, and it is something to consider, if you are applying with a Medicare-eligible spouse. There are some companies (Mutual of Omaha, Family Life, to name a few) that do offer household discounts. This can definitely mean the difference in one company over another when comparing costs.
  • There are several rating areas in Arizona, with most companies. Your rate is always determined by your zip code, so you don’t just pay the Arizona statewide rate – there are rates specific to your zip code.

Obtaining a Arizona Medigap Plan

Getting an Arizona Medicare Supplement plan lined up is very easy to do, particularly if you are in a special enrollment period, such as “open enrollment” (turning 65 or signing up for Medicare Part B) or “guaranteed issue” (losing employer coverage, losing Advantage plan coverage, moving to a new state, etc.). Contrary to popular belief, there is not an annual enrollment period for Medicare Supplements (this only applies to Medicare Advantage and Part D plans). You can actually change, or sign up for, a Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year.

If you are ready to sign up for a plan, simply compare the options, including rates and company ratings, select a plan and sign up. To get a rate quote comparison from us, which will include the top-priced options for your age and zip code and company ratings, simply request the information online using: Arizona Medicare Supplement Quotes. We can provide the information you are seeking so you can compare multiple quotes in a centralized place and make an informed decision.

Arizona Medigap Plans: What Are the Best Companies Available Here

NOTE: There are obviously other companies that do offer Medicare Supplement plans in Arizona. However, these are the ones that are current competitively-priced and highly rated.