Recently Scripps notified roughly 32,000 Medicare-eligible patients that starting Jan. 1, 2024, its coastal and clinic medical groups would no longer accept Medicare Advantage plans. This has led many clients to contact Senior65.com asking if Scripps would accept Medicare Supplement (AKA Medigap) insurance. The short answer is “Yes, Scripps accepts Medigap.” According to the Scripps website, they accept Medigap but not Medicare Advantage at this time. (See how much Medigap cost here)

What is Medigap? And why does Scripps Accept it?

Here is a good overview of Medigap that everyone should read. Medigap is the nickname for Medicare Supplemental insurance plans. Medigap works in tandem with Medicare Part A and B and can pay some or all of the doctor and hospital fees not covered by Medicare. Medigap tends to be more expensive than Medicare Advantage and doesn’t offer prescription drug coverage.

Medigap plans are accepted at hospitals and facilities nationwide where Medicare is accepted. If a doctor accepts Medicare, they must accept a Medigap plan. Therefore, anyone who enrolls in a Medigap plan has access to the largest medical network in the United States, including Scripps! Additionally, those enrolled in Medigap plans pay significantly less for out-of-pocket costs than those on Medicare Advantage plans.

Scripps accepts Medigap plans because nearly all doctors in America accept Medicare and if you accept Medicare you must accept Medigap (it’s the law). In fact, less than 2 percent of non-pediatric doctors nationwide have opted out of Medicare (source). Scripps hasn’t opted out of Medicare so they must accept Medigap insurance.

Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap

Is There a Special Scripps Medigap?

No. There is not a Scripps Medigap plan, any standard Medigap plan that you enroll in, allows you to go to Scripps. It doesn’t matter which insurance provider is offering the Medigap plan, as they all access the same Medicare network. So to recap, any standard* Medigap plan you select will work at Scripps.

*Technically there is a non-standard Medigap called “Medigap Select” that has a smaller network of doctors that might not include Scripps but very few companies offer this unpopular option.

Can Anyone Sign up for Medigap at any Time?

No. Medigap has an initial enrollment a 6-month window after you sign up for Medicare Part B where everyone is approved. If you have missed your initial enrollment, you may be subject to medical underwriting before being approved. When you apply, you may be asked about 20 questions about your health. Insurance providers can use this to determine who is approved or not.

Current Scripps patients with pre-existing conditions could be charged more or declined from Medigap if they apply outside their initial enrollment. Fortunately, Blue Shield of California has a special Medigap promotion that allows for switching regardless of your health history. As long as you are not a current Blue Shield member, you will be approved for Medigap Plan G Extra regardless of your health condition during this “Underwriting Holiday.” Plan G Extra includes vision, hearing, gym, and $400 of over-the-counter benefits as part of the Medigap G Extra plan.

Doesn’t Medigap have Open Enrollment Every Oct-Dec?

No, Medigap doesn’t have an annual enrollment or plan switching window like Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D drugs. So to get on Medigap, you have to either apply online or over the phone at 800-930-7956 and answer health questions or use the Blue Shield Medigap Underwriting Holiday promotion which asks no health questions.

I have Medicare Advantage and Want to Switch to Medigap to Keep Scripps. What should I do?

If you currently use Scripps and are confused about the next steps, just call us at 800-930-7956 and we will walk you through your Medigap enrollment options. There is no obligations or fee to work with Senior65.com. You can also follow the steps below:

If you do not have serious pre-existing conditions and want to switch to Medigap:

  1. Get an instant Medigap quote and then apply for a Medigap (call us if you need help selecting a plan).
  2. Research Part D drug plans but wait until you are approved on Medigap before enrolling.
  3. Apply for a stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan. This will disenroll you in Medicare Advantage and must be completed by Dec 7th.
  4. Your New Medigap and Part D drug plan will both start on January 1st, 2024
  5. Let your Scripps doctors and facilities know you have Medigap on your next visit in the new year!

If you do have pre-existing conditions and want to switch to Medigap

  1. Read about the Blue Shield Underwriting Holiday
  2. See how much Blue Shield Plan G Extra costs
  3. Apply online for Blue Shield or just call 800-930-7956 to apply over the phone.
  4. Apply for a stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan. This will disenroll you in Medicare Advantage and must be completed by Dec 7th.
  5. Your New Blue Shield G Extra Medigap and Part D drug plan will both start on January 1st, 2024
  6. Let your Scripps doctors and facilities know you have Medigap on your next visit in the new year!

Please Note: This article is for reference purposes only and Scripps insurance policies are subject to change. Visit the Scripps website to learn more about which San Diego health insurance plans are currently accepted at Scripps.