Arkansas Medigap Plans, AKA Medicare Supplemental Plans, offer essential coverage to fill gaps in Medicare. These policies, provided by private insurers, help cover out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Arkansas employs the “no age rating method”, and also, there’s good news for those who missed their open enrollment period due to enrolling in Medicaid.
Arkansas Medigap Basics
If you’re new to Medigap, here are some essential facts:
- Medigap Complements Medicare: Medigap, also known as Med Supp, is designed to work alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).
- Standardized Coverage: Medigap plans in Arkansas are standardized, meaning each plan letter offers the same basic benefits, regardless of the insurance company you choose.
- Choice of Plans: Arkansas offers various Medigap plans, such as Plan A, Plan G, and Plan N, each with its own coverage options and costs.
- Enrollment Period: It’s crucial to enroll during your initial enrollment period, typically when you first become eligible for Medicare to ensure you get guaranteed issue rights.
- No Network Restrictions: With Medigap, you can see any healthcare provider in the United States that accepts Medicare. (Source)
Comparing Arkansas Medigap Plans
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 ($2,800) is also available.
Note that Plans C and F are no longer available to people who are new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. However, if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled, you may be able to buy Plan C or Plan F.
How much does a Medigap plan cost in Arkansas?
One of the most frequently asked questions we receive at Senior65.com is how much I will have to pay per month for a Medigap plan. The answer is that it depends on which policy you choose, but something particular that AR has is that it regulates prices under a special rule.
Arkansas employs the “no age rating method,” ensuring that the premium remains consistent for all policyholders, regardless of age or gender. If you’re interested in getting a Medigap plan, you can quickly get an online Medigap quote. Medigap prices are regulated so no one can offer the same plan from the same provider lower than Senior65.com.
Don’t forget about Excess Charges! While Medicare permits doctors and facilities to add up to 15% in fees, many Medigap plans, like Plan G, cover these charges for you. Dive deeper into this topic in our article “How To Avoid Medicare Excess Charges.”
When to enroll in AR MedSupp Plans
In Arkansas, as in many other states, there exists a unique Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This OEP is a limited six-month period known as the initial enrollment period.
During this OEP:
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- You retain the privilege of purchasing a Medicare supplement policy, with insurers unable to refuse coverage, regardless of your health status.
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- Insurers may inquire about your health in the application.
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- Premiums cannot be hiked due to your medical history.
It’s crucial to note that the term “Open Enrollment” isn’t an annual occurrence. It’s a one-time opportunity reserved for when you first qualify for Medicare in Arkansas. If you missed your Open Enrollment Period, don’t worry! You can still enroll in a MedSup plan, but the rules will differ slightly. Find out more about your Medigap enrollment options by following this link.
Get a Medigap Quote Enroll in Medigap
What’s new for Medicare coverage in Arkansas?
In response to the Federal Public Health Emergency, Arkansas’s Medicaid policy allowed recipients to maintain their enrollment without reevaluating their eligibility. Unfortunately, this policy inadvertently caused some eligible Medicare recipients to miss their guaranteed issue period for Medicare Supplement plans in Arkansas.
To ensure that low and moderate-income seniors in Arkansas have access to MedSup plans, the Commissioner has directed health insurers in the state to provide guaranteed issue plans to applicants who lost their open enrollment window due to Medicaid enrollment. Applicants can secure a guaranteed issue period lasting 63 days from the date of their Medicaid eligibility change. For more information, you can read the article “Arkansas New Guaranteed Issue Coverage.“
Next Steps for Arkansas Medigap
If you found this article helpful regarding Arkansas Medigap plans, think about reaching out to one of our licensed agents at Senior65.com. They are well-versed in how Medigap operates in your state, and our agents provide their services without charging a fee. No insurance provider or agent can offer you the same Medigap plan for a lower cost than we can. To obtain a quote, visit this link, or feel free to leave a comment or question in the section below.