How Insurance Companies Set Prices For Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare supplement insurance or Medigap is a health insurance plan that is sold by private insurance companies to fill in the gaps of original Medicare. It is meant to supplement or cover costs for hospital and doctor services that original Medicare does not cover. There are currently 10 different policies that health insurance carriers can offer.

Medigap plans are standardized; however, premiums vary by company, notes Alan Weinstock, an insurance broker at MedicareSupplementPlans.com. Each company has their own way of determining prices.

Three Common Ways that Insurance Companies Set Medigap Premiums

The cost for Medicare supplement insurance might be based on a number of criteria. Some companies base their rates on age or marital status, others might charge extra for smokers. And most companies increase their premiums each year. When you are considering additional Medicare supplement insurance to your original Medicare plan, you should be aware of how insurance companies can set prices.

First, there is the attained-age rating. For Californians, this is the most common way that policies are priced. What it means is that as you increase in age, the premium increases in cost. The reason behind this is that generally as people age they require more health care. There are two ways that health insurance companies increase their premiums: annually or every four years.

Next, there is the issue-age rating. Premiums for this type of health insurance policy are based on your age when you originally purchase it. Issue age-rate policies dont increase as you age; however, the premiums can increase for other reasons, such as inflation or rising health care costs.

Finally, there are the no-age rated or community-rated policies. These types of policies are rare in California. Community-rate policies charge the same premiums to all members regardless of age. While younger members may wind up paying more than they would for other policies, older members often pay less.

Considering the Best Medigap Policy for You

Regardless of what Medicare supplement insurance you choose, inflation and rising health costs will likely be a determining factor in annual increases. So keep in mind premiums which are based on both age and increased medical costs will likely increase faster and at a steeper rate than other types of premiums.

And before you select a Medigap policy make sure to compare types of coverage along with rates that are offered by different companies. Seniors can find the plan that is right for them by visiting MedicareSupplementPlans.com to compare rates, plans and benefits from several prominent insurance companies all at one convenient location. Just ask Barbara Rogoff of Los Angeles, California.

The policy you originally recommended to me was exactly as you stated, and has proved to be perfect for my medical needs. Barbara is just one of the many satisfied Medicare beneficiaries who have worked with MedicareSupplementPlans.com to find the exact Medigap insurance plan that is right for them.