Although we serve 42 states, North Carolina is the “home” state of Secure Medicare Solutions.
North Carolina Medigap plans are a very competitive market, with most of the top companies offering several plans at competitive prices.
As they are nationally, Medigap rates are determined by gender, age and zip code in North Carolina. With many companies, there are two “rating areas” that determine your rate. Typically, rates in rural areas are a little lower.
What Companies Sell Medigap in North Carolina?
Some of the top companies that offer North Carolina Medigap plans are: CIGNA, Mutual of Omaha, United Healthcare, Aetna, Central States, and Humana. Although there are about 20-25 companies offering plans here, rates can vary dramatically from one company to another.
For example, current (mid 2020) Plan G rates for a 65-year-old female range from $90/month with some companies up to $185/month with other companies – for the exact same benefits that work the exact same way. So, it is always advantageous to compare North Carolina Medigap plans based on rate and company rating when making a choice on a Medigap plan in NC.
North Carolina Medigap: Differences and Similarities
There are few state-specific aspects of Medigap plans here that differentiate NC from other states. One such state-specific guideline applies to people going on Medicare disability (under age 65). The state mandates that insurance companies offer Plans A and F to people during their initial 6-month open enrollment window. In some states, Medigap plans are not available to people under 65, but that is not the case here in NC.
In addition to the different guidelines in NC for people on Medicare disability, there are a few other differences with NC Medigap plans. One of these is that nearly all of the plans are attained-age. This means that rates are based on the age you have “attained”, and they will go up over time as you get older. While no one likes rates that go up over time, it does mean that the rates are, on average, much lower than other states that mandate different rating methods (i.e. community-rated or issue-age rated).
The North Carolina plans do follow the Medigap coverage chart, which mandates that companies offer plans from the standardized benefits chart seen here. Also, with the plans here just like with the plans nationally, you can go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare. There is not a network that you have to stay within for NC plans. If a physician takes your primary coverage of Medicare, he or she is also required to accept your Medigap plan regardless of what company it is.
Comparing North Carolina Medigap Plans
For people already on a North Carolina Medigap plan, it is a good idea to revisit your plan. There are several companies that have entered the NC market in the last couple of years with very competitive rates. And, if your rate has gone up in the last year, it is highly likely that you can save money on your same Medigap plan with a different company. As with all Medigap plans, the plans are Federally-standardized, so a Plan G, for example, with one company is the exact same coverage and works the same as a Plan G with a different company.
There are also a few companies in North Carolina now offering a husband-wife discount on Medigap plans, so if you are married and both on Medicare, this is a useful option to explore. These household discounts can range from 5% with some companies up to 12% with other companies. Now, there are even some companies that offer this discount, regardless of whether both spouses are insured with the same company.
How We Can Help with North Carolina Medigap Plans
Because we are headquartered in NC and do a good bit of business here, we are very familiar with the different plans offered here, as well as their histories and projected rate stability. If you have a Medigap plan already or are going on Medicare shortly, we can provide (via email) a chart showing the plans for your age and zip code. This way, you can compare all of the options in a centralized place and make an informed decision. You can reach us via our online Medigap quote form or at 877.506.3378.
