How to Find the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
In Arizona, you can choose from 10 Medicare Supplement plans, named by letters A through N. Plan G and Plan N are the most popular plans because they provide great coverage at a good value. Roughly 185,000 Arizonans are enrolled in one of the 10 Supplemental plans, making Medigap plans the primary source of supplemental coverage for Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona.
To find the best Medicare Supplement plan for you, you’ll need to consider various factors such as your lifestyle needs, health status, and finances. In this post, we’ll walk through the different plan types and how to choose the best plan for you.
Key takeaways:
In Arizona, there are 10 types of Medigap plans, labeled by the letters A-N. Plans F and G also have a high-deductible option.
Over 185,000 Arizonans are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan. Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N are Arizona's most popular plan types.
Every Medigap plan of the same type (for example, every Plan G) offers the same coverage, but your monthly premium varies based on personal factors, pricing structures, and insurance carriers.
Take a look at our Arizona Medicare Guide for information on how to enroll, compare coverage options, and save money on insurance plans.
What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
Original Medicare provides essential health coverage for many seniors but doesn't cover all healthcare expenses. That's where Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, plans can help. These plans help supplement—or fill the gaps—left by Original Medicare. Part A and Part B cover about 80% of the cost of services, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%. A Medigap plan helps cover these out-of-pocket costs, which can relieve you of financial burden in many situations.
The 10 Types of Medicare Supplement plans
Arizona and 46 other states offer the same 10 Medicare Supplement plans. Plans of the same type will have the same coverage, but the cost of each plan varies based on personal factors and pricing structures. For example, all Medigap Plan G policies are identical in coverage, but monthly premiums vary.
Take a look at our Medigap comparison chart to help you understand the differences between each plan.
*Note that Plans F and C are unavailable for Medicare beneficiaries who turn 65 after January 1, 2020.
The best Medicare Supplement plans in Arizona
Generally, Plan G and Plan N are considered the “best” plans because they provide the most comprehensive coverage at a reasonable price. If you enroll in Plan G, you won’t pay for Medicare-covered services once you’ve met your annual Part B deductible. Plan N provides similar coverage, except it doesn’t cover Part B excess charges.
While these two plans are popular, the best Medigap plan for you depends on your unique needs. Before you enroll in a plan, you should consider your medical needs, budget, lifestyle changes, and recurring health expenses. We recommend chatting with a licensed Medicare Advisor to compare plans so you can enroll in the one that works best for you.
How much do Medicare Supplement plans cost in Arizona?
For all 2024 Arizona Medigap plans, premiums range from $40 a month for a high-deductible Plan G to $560 for the highest-cost Plan D. You can use Medicare’s plan comparison tool or contact us at 855-900-2427 to get more information about Supplement plans in Arizona.
Finding the plan with the most comprehensive benefits at an affordable monthly premium depends on your unique situation. Some factors that may have an impact on how much you pay for your Supplement plan include:
Age
Gender
Location
Tobacco use
Living with someone who is also on Medicare (some plans offer household discounts)
Which insurance carrier’s policy you choose
When you enroll
Your policy’s pricing structure
Medigap plan pricing structures
Each insurance provider sets the price for its Medigap policies. Each Medigap plan can be priced (or rated) in three ways: community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated.
With a community-rated plan, everyone pays the same monthly premium, regardless of age. Your premium also stays the same as you age.
With an issue-age-rated plan, your premium is based on your age when your Medigap plan was issued. This plan type may have an initial premium that is higher than average, but it will not increase as you age.
With an attained-age-rated plan, your premium is based on your current age. For younger buyers, the premiums for attained-age plans might be the least expensive initially, but they increase as you age.
Community-rated plans tend to be the most cost-effective plans, but they aren’t available in every location or in every state. Make sure you check what’s available to you when shopping for Medigap plans. While policy premiums may or may not change over time as you age, all policies may increase premiums due to economic factors like inflation.
Enrolling in the best Medicare Supplement plan for you in AZ
The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six-month window that starts after your Medicare Part B coverage begins. During Medigap Open Enrollment, insurance companies can’t ask you about your health history, charge you more based on age, or deny your application.
Finding your best Supplement plan in Arizona can feel overwhelming. Between comparing the different types of Medigap plans and their different pricing structures, you may have questions about the right plan choice for you. We recommend working with a licensed Chapter Medicare Advisor who can help you choose the right coverage. Our advice is always free and requires no obligation. Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or schedule a chat to get started. Our Arizona Medicare Advisors are here to help you find the best Medigap plan for you.