Oregon Medicare Supplements: What Do These Plans Cover?

Oregon Medigap plans are Federally-standardized. This just means that all companies are required to offer the exact same coverage plans. There are a total of 10 plans that can be offered, and not all companies have to offer all plans. Most companies offer a selection of 3-5 from the standardized plans chart, which can be viewed here: Medigap coverage chart.

Some plans are more comprehensive than others:Medigap Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N. These are the three most common plans, and all three plans provide comprehensive coverage for the “gaps” in Medicare. Plan F is the most common and comprehensive plan – it pays everything that Medicare doesn’t cover at the doctor and hospital so that you don’t have any out of pocket costs. Plan G is one level below ‘F’. It pays everything that Medicare doesn’t with the exception of the Medicare Part B deductible ($140/year – in 2012). Plan N is a good option if you are in good health and want a lower-cost plan. It has a $20 doctor’s office co-pay and a $50 emergency room co-pay, as well as not covering the aforementioned Part B deductible. But premiums are correspondingly lower.

Regardless of which company you purchase a Medigap plan from, your plan will work in the same way and have a couple of characteristics that apply to all Medigap plans:

  • First of all, there are no doctor/hospital networks that you must stay within. You will not be sent a “provider directory” to sort through because there is not one when it comes to Medigap plan. You can go to any doctor or hospital, nationwide, that accepts Medicare.
  • Secondly, you do not have to file the claims yourself or have any involvement in the claim-filing process. All companies pay claims through the Medicare “crossover” system, which insures a timely and efficient payment to the providers, without you having to be concerned about it or keep up with it yourself.

Oregon Medigap Comparison

Since coverage, doctor acceptance, and claims payments are standardized across the board with all Medicare Supplement companies, you must consider the two most important things about selecting a Medigap plan – premium and company reputation.

Comparing the price on Medigap plans should be very easy to do, and it does not require the time-consuming task of calling all of the insurance companies directly (unless you just wanted to do it that way). It is always advisable, no matter which agent/agency it is, to work with an independent agent. This does not cost you anything and allows you to compare all of the options 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.

Medicare-Supplement.US helps you with comparing plans by providing a customized rate quote analysis that can be sent by email. This allows you to see rates and company ratings in a centralized place and will greatly assist in your understanding of the options. To have a rate quote analysis emailed to you, just request a Oregon Medigap quote.

Special State-Specific Implications for Oregon

Even though the coverage for Medigap plans is the same in all states, there are some state-specific guidelines and factors that should be known when comparing Medicare Supplement plans in Oregon:

  • Oregon DOES use tobacco usage as an underwriting criteria when you are turning 65 or in open enrollment or “guaranteed issue” period (many states do not).
  • Most companies that do business in Oregon DO have gender-specific rates – for companies that do it this way, this just means that rates are different for males and females – in most cases, female rates are 10-15% lower. This is not required or regulated by the state, but it is a choice that many of the companies have made in regards to their plans.
  • Oregon does permit household discounts to be applied on the plans. This is something to consider, if you are applying with a Medicare-eligible spouse. There are some companies (Mutual of Omaha 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 Oregon – with most companies. This just means that your rate is determined by your zip code. Some zip codes will have higher/lower rates based on the claims that the company has received, or expects to receive, in that certain area.

Obtaining a Oregon Medigap Plan

Getting your Oregon Medicare Supplement plan lined up is 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.)

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: Oregon 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.

Oregon Medigap: Competitively-Priced Companies Available Here

NOTE: There are obviously numerous other companies that offers plans in Oregon. This is just a few of the most prominent and competitively-priced options. Contact us for information about specific companies.