Best Medicare Supplement Plans for Diabetes
According to the CDC, 34.2 million Americans have diabetes, and unfortunately, the cost of the illness is high. Medical expenditures for people with diabetes are upwards of $9,600 per year. The same study concluded that people with diabetes have medical costs 2.3 times higher than those who don’t. Diabetes can cause blood circulation problems over time that elevate risk levels for cardiovascular issues, strokes, and other diseases.
Good health care can help those with diabetes manage the disease and prevent complications. Medicare Parts A, B, and D cover basic treatment such as anti-diabetic drugs; however, because diabetes is such a complex disease, the plans may not cover everything. Fortunately, supplemental medicare, or Medigap, plans can help fill in the gaps.
Best Medigap Plans: If you’re interested in a broader view of Medigap, take a look at my list of this year’s best Medicare supplemental insurance providers.
Best Medicare Supplement Plans for Diabetes 2024
- Humana : Best Overall Plans
- UnitedHealthcare : Trusted by Doctors
- Aetna : Best Diabetes-Specific Care
- Anthem : Best App
- Cigna : Widest Range of Coverage
- Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans : Best Customer Service
The Best Medicare Supplement Plans for Diabetes
Humana - Best Overall Plans
844-382-7911
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans offered
- 24/7 customer service
- Vision and dental add-ons available
- High-deductible plan options
Offering Medigap plans in 49 states, as well as D.C. and Puerto Rico, Humana boasts one of the largest coverage ranges of any provider. No matter which Medigap plan you choose, you can expect stellar customer service, as well as some extra benefits that go beyond the coverage of your policy.
Every Humana Medigap policy comes with discounts on prescription medications, hearing health, vision health, and fitness club memberships. Humana also provides policyholders with a 24-hour nurse hotline, wherein a registered nurse can answer healthcare queries.
In terms of cost, Humana tends to be slightly pricier than some of the other providers on this list. A 70-year-old nonsmoking woman in Arizona could expect to pay about $165 in monthly premiums for Plan C and $174 per month for Plan F.
To learn more about this provider, read our full rundown of Humana Medicare Supplement plans.
Pros
- Quick quoting process
- 24/7 nurse hotline
- Easy-to-navigate website
- Plentiful Medicare information and resources
- Vision and dental options
Cons
- Above average premiums
UnitedHealthcare - Trusted by Doctors
(855) 908-2871
What We Like Most:
- Numerous in-network providers
- All ages accepted
- Cheap copays for routine care
- Simple plan options
UnitedHealthcare is the largest health-care provider in the country, with more than 50 years of experience. They have a large network and offer transparent pricing and solid Medigap plans. Adults may sign up for UnitedHealthcare if they are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. Pricing and plans will vary depending on where you live. Luckily, it’s easy to find a quote and apply for a plan online by entering your zip code, date of birth, and other information.
A 70-year-old nonsmoking woman would pay $155.52 for Plan C Medigap insurance in Phoenix, Arizona. For this same woman, a Medigap Plan F would cost $169.17 per month.
Pros
- Transparent online pricing
- Specialized diabetes management program
- Nationwide coverage
- Cover all or most of Part B coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles
Cons
- Can be difficult to switch plans
Aetna - Best Diabetes-Specific Care
(855) 908-2871
What We Like Most:
- Five plans to choose from
- Additional benefits for plan members
- No network restrictions
- Keep your coverage even if you move
Aetna is one of the oldest and most reputable insurance companies in the country, and they provide a comprehensive range of Medigap plans. One thing I really like about Aetna is there are no network restrictions, so you can see any doctor you’d like. Additionally, coverage stays the same if you end up moving.
What’s more, with Aetna’s Diabetes Management Plus, policyholders can receive test strips delivered right to their homes. Additionally, users can track their glucometer readings directly from their proprietary smartphone app.
Depending on where you live, you can see quotes on their website. A 70-year-old nonsmoking woman in Phoenix would pay $151.36 for Plan F coverage, while a Plan C would cost $139.10. However, online pricing with Aetna is not available for every state, so you might want to call to get a quote as well.
Pros
- No network restrictions
- Coverage stays the same if you move
- Diabetes-specific app
- Personalized diabetes monitoring and lifestyle coaching
Cons
- Low customer service ratings
- No nationwide coverage
Anthem - Best App
855-635-3873
What We Like Most:
- Extensive provider network
- Affordable monthly premiums
- Bundling options with health and dental
- Large selection of plans
Anthem is a part of Blue Cross Blue Shield. One thing I love about Anthem is that some of their plans offer vision and dental, so it covers more gaps than just Medicare. They also have wellness-specific benefits like discounts on gym memberships. Unfortunately, Anthem is only available in certain states, and their range of plans is somewhat limited when compared to the other providers on this list.
Where Anthem really shines is with their smartphone app. Using this program, you can easily keep track of your policy, view your benefits, and manage your coverage overall. I was particularly impressed by the ease with which I was able to file claims right from my smartphone.
With Anthem, the average cost for a 70-year-old woman in Nevada for Plan F is $290.68 per month.
Pros
- Advanced health-care app
- Bundled insurance savings
- Fitness programs
- Household discounts
Cons
- Coverage in only 14 states
- High premiums
Cigna - Widest Range of Coverage
866-932-5678
What We Like Most:
- Large range of plans
- Coverage for people with preexisting conditions
- Foreign travel emergency coverage available
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance available
Cigna started in the 1970s and now serves over 30 countries around the world. They offer a higher deductible plan for those looking for lower premiums, and they offer discounts if customers sign up online or if more than one person in a household enrolls in a plan. Cigna also offers diabetes-specific plans to save on diabetes supplies, equipment, and doctors’ appointments.
Additionally, while they’re technically not part of Cigna’s Medigap coverage, Cigna also offers Diabetes Care Plans,which is an innovative way to help people with diabetes stay on track of their health. These plans come with $0 in out-of-pocket costs for supplies like insulin pumps, blood glucose monitors, and infusion devices.
To find a Medigap plan from Cigna, you’ll want to start by looking at their website. Here, you’ll be able to view their range of plans and even obtain a free quote.
A 66-year-old woman in Texas would pay $150 per month for Medigap Plan F.
Pros
- Wide range of discounts available
- Premiums won’t rise
- Insurance renewable for life
- Diabetes-specific programs
Cons
- Relatively few plans to choose from
Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans - Best Customer Service
(855) 908-2871
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans
- 12% spouse discount
- Prescription-drug and dental options
- No network restrictions
Mutual of Omaha has been in business for over 100 years. You can choose any doctor or hospital you would like, and if you’re a globetrotter, your coverage follows you around the world. Mutual of Omaha also pays 98 percent of Medicare claims within 12 hours.
Since they’ve been offering Medicare supplemental insurance for over 50 years, this experience shows in their customer service. Give them a call to obtain a free quote on a Medigap policy, and you’ll see how polite and knowledgeable their staff is.
A 70-year-old woman in Arizona would pay $147 per month for Plan F coverage.
Pros
- No network restrictions
- Travel coverage available
- Straightforward pricing
- Low premiums
Cons
- Only five plans offered
How Medicare Covers Diabetes Treatments
People with diabetes will need anti-diabetic drugs to manage blood sugar and equipment to monitor their blood sugar. Adults will also need to see the doctor regularly to manage their condition and may need extra treatment if they have diabetic peripheral neuropathy in their feet.
Medicare Part B and D cover blood glucose testing, medical and educational services, and diabetes medication. Often, the patient covers a 20 percent coinsurance for doctor’s visits or medication. Copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles for treatment can mount up. Additionally, Medicare Part B does not cover insulin and the supplies necessary to administer it (unless used with an insulin pump). Medicare Part B covers up to a certain amount of insulin test strips and lancets every few months. It also covers some preventative care like screenings for heart disease, glaucoma tests, and nutritional counseling.
These gap plans are especially beneficial, as people with diabetes pay 30 percent higher out-of-pocket costs for care and between 64 and 83 percent for prescriptions. By purchasing medicare supplemental insurance, you’ll have greater peace of mind when it comes to managing your out-of-pocket expenses.
Did You Know:Medicare covers Ozempic for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes under most Medicare Part D plans.
Which Medigap Plans Are Ideal for Diabetes?
Medicare Part B covers most diabetes medication and treatment, so if you're looking for supplemental insurance, you should choose a plan that covers the deductible, coinsurance, and copayment for Part B plans. For that reason, we recommend Medigap Plans C and F for diabetes coverage for anybody under the age of 65.
Pro Tip: Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Massachusetts have different Medigap plans than the rest of the country, so be sure to contact a provider directly if you live in one of these states.
For example, a client of mine had $2,000 per month in diabetes costs. Medicare covered $1,600, leaving $400 per month for him to pay. He ended up finding a Medigap plan that covered the balance, so he had no out-of-pocket costs for medication or visits.
How We Chose the Best Medigap for Diabetes
Since Medigap plans are federally regulated, a Plan C from one company will offer the same coverage as that of another company. With this in mind, we looked for the following when it came to choosing the best Medigap policies for diabetes:
- Affordable premiums: Those with diabetes already have their hands full when it comes to paying for health care. Because of this, we looked for providers that offered affordable monthly premiums, lessening your load.
- Diabetes-specific benefits: While the actual coverage of Medigap policies will be the same across providers, some insurers offer additional health and membership benefits that are particularly useful to those with diabetes.
- Simple management: Anyone who has ever navigated the world of U.S. health care knows how complicated it can be. Because of this, we looked for providers that simplified the process of obtaining and managing coverage. All of the providers on this list offered stellar customer service, demystifying what could otherwise be a difficult circumstance.