How to Find the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia
Original Medicare has numerous advantages, including essential health coverage and access to over 90% of healthcare providers. However, Original Medicare doesn’t pay all healthcare expenses. That’s why many beneficiaries choose to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap). These plans help cover the costs left by Original Medicare.
In West Virginia, there are ten Medigap plans to choose from (named with the letters A through N). 38 insurers that offer these Medigap policies. West Virginia has one of the country’s largest populations of people 65 and older, and 30% of them rely on Medigap to reduce their out-of-pocket medical costs.
Key takeaways:
Seniors in West Virginia can enroll in one of ten different Medicare Supplement plans.
Plan G is a popular Medigap plan because it provides the most coverage compared to other plans.
Medigap plans are standardized, so your monthly premium is the only difference between plans of the same type.
Your premium is determined by which plan you choose, personal factors, and your plan’s pricing structure.
Take a look at our West Virginia Medicare Guide for information on how to enroll, compare coverage options, and save money on insurance plans.
What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
While Original Medicare pays for the majority of healthcare costs, you're responsible for 20% of costs—this is your coinsurance. Because Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limit, you could be responsible for a lot of money. That’s why many people choose to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan. Unlike Medicare Advantage, which is a bundled alternative to Original Medicare, Medicare Supplement plans stack on top of your Original Medicare coverage to help control your healthcare costs.
Medigap is federally regulated so plan types and benefits are the same in most states.
The 10 Types of Medicare Supplement plans
West Virginia residents can enroll in one of ten Medicare Supplement plans. Each plan provides different levels of coverage, and the best plan for you depends on your needs.
Take a look at our Medigap comparison chart, which outlines the differences between each plan.
No matter which carrier you choose to enroll with, each plan of the same type will provide identical benefits. For example, there are 46 Plan G policies offered in West Virginia and they all provide the same coverage.
*Note that Plans F and C are unavailable for Medicare beneficiaries who turn 65 after January 1, 2020.
The best Medicare Supplement plans in West Virginia
The most popular Medigap plan in West Virginia is Plan G. Plan G covers coinsurance, copays, and Part B excess charges. This makes Plan G the highest coverage plan for new Medicare beneficiaries.
While many states guarantee access to at least one Medigap plan for people who are under 65 and eligible for Medicare, West Virginia does not.
Plan G is popular in general, but there are other Medigap plans that might be better fit for you. The right plan for you depends on your health and financial situation. A licensed Medicare Advisor can help you navigate the complexities of Medigap and find what you’re looking for in your health coverage.
How much do Medicare Supplement plans cost in West Virginia?
Since plans of the same type provide identical coverage, you might be wondering how to choose the best individual insurance policy. One of the most important factors to consider is the price of the policy.
Your monthly Medigap premium depends on which plan you choose, the policy pricing structure, and factors specific to you. You won’t necessarily pay the same premium as your neighbor, even if you’re enrolled in the same plan.
As of 2024, the average cost of Medicare Supplement premiums in West Virginia ranges from $73-$150 a month. Input your information into Medicare’s plan finder tool to see what your costs could be.
These are personal factors that might affect your premium:
Age
Gender
Location
Tobacco use
Whether you’re living with someone who is also on Medicare
When you enroll
Your age might play an even bigger role in your monthly premium depending on your plan’s pricing structure.
Medigap plan pricing structures
There are three pricing (or rating) structures insurers use to determine how your policy premium can change over time. Your plan can be community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated.
With a community-rated plan, everyone pays the same premium regardless of age. Your monthly premium will also not increase as you get older. Issue-age-rated plans base your premium on the age you were when your policy was issued. Your monthly premium will also not increase as you get older. Your monthly premium will increase as you get older if you have an attained-age-rated plan, because your current age determines your monthly premium.
When shopping for plans, keep in mind that 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 West Virginia
Like most states, West Virginia gives residents a six-month guaranteed-issue period for Medigap, which begins when your Medicare Part B goes into effect. This is also referred to as your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan because insurance companies can’t ask you about your health history, charge you more based on age, or deny your application. Outside of this period, you may be required to go through medical underwriting. Insurance carriers could deny your application based on your answers to underwriting questions.
Choosing the right Medicare coverage can be overwhelming. Simplify your Medicare journey by working with a licensed Chapter Medicare Advisor who can help you choose the right plan. Our advice is always free and requires no obligation. Give us a call at 855-900-2427 or schedule a chat to get started.