Best Medicare Supplement Insurance
Shop & Compare Medicare Plans
Shop and compare 2023 Medicare Supplement Plans in Virginia with your local Richmond insurance broker Steven Hughes. You can Get a Live online Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance quote or simply call me (Steven Hughes). to compare up to 25 Medicare Supplement insurance policies in Virginia. As your local licensed Medicare broker, I can help you find a plan that fits your needs. For a live online quote just click on the link below and enter your age, gender, and zip code to find the best rate and policy to meet your needs.
Get A Live Medicare Supplement Quote
Steven Hughes Is Rated as One of the Best Medicare Insurance Brokers in Richmond, Virginia
I’ve have been rated as one of the Best Medicare Insurance Agents in Richmond, Virginia for 2022 and 2023 by Expertise.com. Expertise.com goal is to connect people with the best local experts. They scored Richmond Health Insurance Agencies on more than 25 variables across five categories and analyzed the results to recommend a hand-picked list of the best. They reviewed 3,803 insurance agents in Richmond, and I was selected as one of the best Medicare insurance brokers in Richmond, Virginia 2 years in a row. Please contact me to schedule a private phone and allow me a chance to show you why I’ve received this rating.
Hampton Roads, Virginia Medicare Insurance Broker
SMH Insurance Agency, Inc. is recommended as a Trustworthy Medicare Insurance broker in Hampton Roads by Seasons. Seasons is a trusted guide for Seniors that connects them to the resources they need.
Why Choose a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan in Virginia?
When it comes to your health, a Medicare Supplement plan gives you the freedom to choose your own doctors. There are no networks, no preauthorization required for any medical procedures, and you’re never required to get a referral to see a specialist. Plus, when you’re traveling, the coverage goes with you anywhere in the U.S. You will be able to make your own healthcare decision instead of the insurance company making them for you. That freedom could mean everything when it comes to accessing a needed medical treatment or a specialist. Once you have enrolled in a Medicare Supplement Plan, it cannot be canceled because of your age, your health, or the number of claims you make. Of course, you may cancel your Medicare Supplement Plan at any time you wish.
What Is a Medigap Plan and How Do They Work?
A Medigap plan is the same thing as a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Medigap plans cover some or all costs left over from Original Medicare Part A & Part B. A Medigap plan can help cover copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. Plans are offered by private insurance companies, for example, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield. They must be clearly identified as “Medicare Supplement Insurance.’ There are 10 Medigap plan types. Each plan type is named by a letter. Plans A and B provide the least coverage. Plans C, F and G are the most compressive and may help cover Part B deductibles or excess charges. *Although Plans C and F are only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before 01/01/2020. The remaining plans available fall somewhere in the middle. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S.
What Else Should You Know About Medigap Plans?
Before you can enroll in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan in Virginia, you must have Medicare Parts A and B. You will pay private insurance, for example, Aetna, a monthly premium for your Medicare Supplement policy. A Medigap policy only covers one person. The premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan G, for example, can vary from company to company, so it’s important to shop and compare plans to find your best rate.
Best Time To Buy Your Medigap Policy
The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your open enrollment period. This is a 6-month that begins the first month you have enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you don’t enroll during this period, you may not be able to buy a Medigap plan because you would have to qualify by answering medical questions. If you buy a Medigap after your initial enrollment period, it may cost more.
Can You Change Your Current Medicare Supplement Plan?
Yes, you can change your Current Medicare Supplement Plan in Virginia at any time, although there are no guarantees that your application will be accepted. First, we can review your current Medigap plan to see if it’s possible to improve your current coverage or lower your premium. I’m just a phone call away so don’t wait any longer call me today to see if we can lower your premium or improve your benefits.
Making an Educated Medicare Insurance Buying Decision
We can review company ratings, so you can make an informed buying decision.
Company Customer Satisfaction Ratings: Based on publicly available consumer complaint data and proprietary survey data conducted by FreeMedicareReport.com. Fewer complaints and higher survey ratings result in a higher ranking.
Market Experience: Based on number of years of experience and market share percentage for each company (number of policyholders and total premiums). More years of experience and higher market share percentages result in a higher ranking.
Premium Increases: We can the premium increase history for each company. This information can help you make an informed buying decision.
Understanding 2023 Original Medicare Part A and Part B Costs and Benefits at a Glance
Part A Premium: Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A (sometimes called “premium-free Part A”). If you don’t qualify for premium-free Part A: You might be able to buy it. You’ll pay either $278 or $506 each month for Part A, depending on how long you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes.
Part A (Hospital Insurance) Costs: What You Pay in 2023
Part A Deductible:
$1,600 for each inpatient hospital. There’s no limit to the number of benefit periods you can have in a year. This means you may pay the deductible more than once in a year.
Inpatient Stay
Days 1-60: $0 after you pay your Part A deductible.
Days 61-90: $400 co-payment each day.
Days 91-150: $800 co-payment each day while using your 60 lifetime reserve days
After day 150: You pay all costs.
Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs
Skilled Nursing Facility Stay
Days 1-20: $0 co-payment.
Days 21-100: $200 co-payment each day.
Days 101 and beyond: You pay all costs.
Home Health Care
$0 for covered home health care services.
20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment).
Hospice Care
$0 for covered hospice care services.
You may also pay: A co-payment of up to $5 for each prescription drug and other similar products for pain relief and symptom control while you’re at home.
5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.
Part B Premium: The standard Part B premium amount is $164.90 (or higher depending on your income). Part B has a $226 deductible and then coinsurance. After your deductible is met, you typically pay 20% of the Medicare-Approved Amount for most doctor services (including most doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient), outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment (dme).
Part B (Medical Insurance) Costs: What You Pay in 2023
Premium
$164.90 each month (or higher depending on your income). The amount can change each year. You’ll pay the premium each month, even if you don’t get any Part B-covered services.
Who Pays a Higher Part B Premium Because of Income?
You might pay a monthly penalty if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible for Medicare (usually when you turn 65). You’ll pay the penalty for as long as you have Part B. The penalty goes up the longer you wait to sign up. Find out how the Part B penalty works and how to avoid it.
Deductible
$226 before Original Medicare starts to pay. You pay this deductible once each year.
General Costs for Services (Coinsurance)
Usually 20% of the cost for each Medicare-covered service or item after you’ve paid your deductible (and as long as your doctor or health care provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment – called “accepting assignment”). Find out how assignment affects what you pay.
Clinical laboratory services
$0 for covered clinical laboratory services.
Home Health Care
$0 for covered home health care services. 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for durable medical equipment (like wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, and other equipment).
Inpatient Hospital Care
20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services while you’re a hospital inpatient.
Outpatient mental health care
$0 for your yearly depression screening.
20% of the Medicare-approved amount for visits to your doctor or other health care provider to diagnose or treat your condition. If you get your services in a hospital outpatient clinic or hospital outpatient department, you may have to pay an additional amount to the hospital.
Partial hospitalization mental health care
After you meet the Part B deductible: 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for each service you get from a doctor or certain other qualified mental health professional Coinsurance for each day of partial hospitalization services you get in a hospital outpatient setting or community mental health center.
Outpatient Hospital Care
Usually, 20% of the Medicare-approved amount is for doctors and other health care providers’ services. You’ll also pay a co-payment to the hospital for each service you get in a hospital outpatient setting (except for certain preventive services). In most cases, your co-payment won’t be more than the Part A hospital stay deductible amount. This additional hospital co-payment means you may pay more for an outpatient service you get in a hospital than you’d pay if you got the same service in a doctor’s office.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) Plan F
With Medicare Supplement Plan F, you can get the most complete coverage available in Virginia. Because the plan covers costs in excess of Medicare-approved amounts, you may have no out-of-pocket costs for Part A and Part B with this policy. **This plan isn’t available if you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and to some people under age 65.
Medicare Supplement Plan F Covers:
Basic Medicare benefits including
In addition to the basic benefits, Plan F also provides coverage for:
Medicare Part B deductible for medical and hospital outpatient expenses
Medicare Part B excess charges (this is the difference between what a doctor or provider charges and the amount Medicare will pay up to Medicare’s limiting amount)
Travel-abroad medical emergency help
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan F
According to a 2014 report by American Health Insurance Professionals, about 56% of all Medigap policies in force were a Medicare Supplement Plan F policy. Medicare Supplement Plan F isn’t available if you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, and to some people under age 65. Contact me to learn more about who can buy this plan.
Never Pay a Doctor Copay:
The reason why Medicare Plan F is so popular is that it will pay for all of the gaps in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, including both your hospital and outpatient deductibles. Plan F even pays the 20% that Part B does not cover. This means you pay zero out-of-pocket at your doctor’s office and hospital stays. It’s easy to see why a lot of people think Plan F is the best.
*Plan F also has a high-deductible option. If you choose the high-deductible option on Medicare Supplement Plan F, you have to pay a deductible of $2,240 for 2018 before the plan pays anything. This amount can go up each year. High-deductible policies have lower premiums, but if you become sick, you’ll have higher out-of-pocket costs. Depending on where you live, you may be eligible for Medicare Select Plan F.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance Plan G
If you turned age 65 after 01/01/2020 Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive policy you could enroll in. Plan G is the policy that my clients most often purchase.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Details
Hospital (Part A) Deductible: You Pay $0
Medical (Part B) Deductible: You Pay $226
Part B Copays/Coinsurance: You Pay $0 Generally your cost for approved Part B services
Footnote * Doesn’t include the standard Part B premium for $164.90 each month. *
Covered Services
What you will pay for Part A services
Hospital stays
Lifetime reserve days
Skilled nursing facility (for Medicare-covered stays)
Blood (during a hospital stay)
Hospice care $0
What you will pay for Part A and B services
Home health care (for Medicare-approved services) $0
Durable medical equipment (covered by Medicare) First: $226 (Part B deductible) Then: $0
What you will pay for Part B services
Covered Part B services
Preventive services: $0 Generally for most preventive services Medicare covers
Part B excess charges: $0
Blood (outside a hospital stay)
Tests for diagnostic services: $0
Footnote: Note: Although the Part B deductible of $226 appears more than once, you only pay it one time each year.
Extra benefits – not covered by Medicare
Foreign travel emergency
Footnote: Policies may include additional benefits not listed here. Contact me to find out what additional benefits each company may offer if any.
Supplement Insurance (Medigap) Plan N Details
General Costs
What You Will Pay
Hospital (Part A) deductible $0
Medical (Part B) deductible $226 Part B copays/coinsurance $0 Generally your cost for approved Part B services with some $20 and $50 copays
Footnote * Doesn’t include the standard Part B premium for $170.10 each month. *
Covered Services
What you will pay for Part A services
Hospital stays
Skilled nursing facility (for Medicare-covered stays)
Blood (during a hospital stay)
Hospice care $0
What you will pay for Part A & B services
Home health care (for Medicare-approved services)$0Durable medical equipment (covered by Medicare)
What you will pay for Part B services
Covered Part B services
Preventive services$0 Generally for most preventive services Medicare coversPart B excess chargesAll costsBlood (outside a hospital stay)
After 3 pints: $226 (Part B deductible), then $0
Tests for diagnostic services$0Footnote
Note: Although the Part B deductible of $226 appears more than once, you only pay it one time each year.
Extra benefits – not covered by Medicare
Foreign travel emergency
Footnote: Policies may include additional benefits not listed here. Contact me to find out more.