Louisiana Medigap Plans, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, enhance Original Medicare. The goal is to fill in the “gaps” in your expenses, such as deductibles and coinsurance, to protect you from runaway costs. In this article, we will cover how Medigap works, when to enroll, and how to switch plans in the future. A cool thing about Louisiana is that it has the Medigap Birthday Rule.
Louisiana Medigap Plans Basics
Understanding the basics is key to navigating the landscape of Med Supp Plans in Louisiana. To be eligible for a MedSup policy, individuals must already have both Medicare Parts A and B in place.
Medigap policies come in ten standardized plans labeled from “A” to “N.” While the benefits remain consistent across different insurance providers, premiums can vary. You should compare these plans to ensure they meet your individual healthcare needs.
Remember, Medigap plans do not offer coverage for prescription drugs at the pharmacy. For this, a separate Medicare Prescription Drug Plan is required.
Side-by-side Louisiana Medigap Plans comparison chart
Plans available for those Medicare-eligible after January 1, 2020:
| Benefits | A | B | D | G** | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A Deductible ($1,632) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% | |
| Part B Deductible ($240) | ||||||||
| Medicare Part A Hospital Coinsurance and 365 additional hospital days | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Medicare Part B Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| First 3 Pints of Blood for a Transfusion | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Medicare Part A Hospice Coinsurance or Copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% | ||
| Medicare Part B Excess Charges | 100% | |||||||
| Foreign Emergency Healthcare | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||
| Max Out-of-Pocket | $7,060 | $3,530 |
**Medigap Plan G High Deductible is $2,800.
If you were Part B eligible before January 1, 2020, you may be able to enroll in a plan that covers your Part B deductible.
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LA Medigap Plans: When To Enroll
Enrolling in a Medigap plan during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period is advisable if possible. This period begins when an individual turns 65 or older and has Medicare Part B coverage. This six-month window offers guaranteed issue rights, which means insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge you more based on your health. It presents a golden opportunity to select a MedSup plan at the best price that provides financial protection from runaway medical costs.
Senior65.com can help you compare costs and apply so you do not miss your limited enrollment period.
Switching Medicare Insurance: Louisiana Medigap Birthday Rule
In Louisiana, the birthday rule allows policyholders to make changes to their Medicare Supplement plan each year, regardless of their health condition, provided they switch coverage at the right time. This window spans 30 days before or up to 63 days after a policyholder’s birthday. To learn more, read our article: “Louisiana Medigap Birthday Rule.”
If you don’t live in Louisiana and you’re trying to learn more about the Medigap Birthday Rule, click this link and check out our state-by-state guide.
Medigap Under 65
For Medicare beneficiaries under 65 due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), there exists a six-month open enrollment period, irrespective of their health status. These individuals are entitled to another six-month open enrollment period upon reaching the age of 65.
If someone has enrolled in a Medicare supplement policy due to disability and later gains coverage under an employer or union-based group health plan, the benefits and premiums under their Medicare supplement policy can be suspended upon request. If they lose the employer or union-based group health plan later on, the suspended Medicare supplement policy can be reinstituted within 90 days of losing the employer-based coverage. (Source)
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Louisiana Household Discounts for Medigap
In Louisiana, some insurance companies provide premium discounts when two policies are issued to two individuals residing in the same house. Known as the Louisiana Medigap Household Discount, these discounts can range from 5% to 12% or even more for each member of the household. Learn more in our article “Medigap Household Discounts.”
A good alternative is the Roommate Discount, which has just a few simple requirements. Learn all about it in our article, “What is the Medigap Roommate Discount and How Can You Qualify?“.
LA Most Popular Plan
While Plan F has traditionally held the top spot in popularity, Plan G has emerged as the top plan for new enrollment since 2020 (Soure AHIP). Learn more about Plan G Medigap coverage in Louisiana. Readers can easily get an instant quote for Plan G here.
Louisiana Medicare Excess Charges
Have you ever gotten a medical bill and wondered why it was higher than you expected? Well, doctors can actually charge you more than Medicare says they should. This is called a Part B excess charge, and it can add up. But there’s a way to protect yourself. Medigap Plan G covers 100% of these extra charges, so you don’t have to worry about paying more than you should. Want to know more about how it works? Check out our article, “How to Avoid Medicare Excess Charges.”
Next Steps Louisianians
For those left with lingering questions or ready to take the plunge into enrolling in a Louisiana Medigap plan, call Senior65.com at 800-930-7956. We never charge a fee and noone can sell you the same Medigap policy for less than we can. We hope to be a seamless resource for navigating the complexities of Medigap plans in Louisiana.