Best Medicare Supplement Plans for a Healthy Person
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August 23, 2024
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Although Medigap plans are federally regulated and offer the same benefits (for example, a Plan A from Humana will offer the same coverage as Plan A from Aetna), premiums for Medigap policies vary widely, costing anywhere from $51 to $650 per month. Because of this, a relatively healthy person might consider avoiding this additional coverage altogether.
However, it’s important to remember that Medicare doesn’t cover anything. Copayments, deductibles, and coinsurance can quickly add up, making it essential for a person—even someone in good health—to consider a Medigap policy in the event of an emergency.
Here are your best options.
The Best Medicare Supplement Plans for a Healthy Person
- Humana : Best Overall Plans
- Aetna : Affordable Premiums
- Cigna : Widest Network Coverage
- Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans : Best Customer Service
- AARP Medicare : Best Senior Expertise
- Anthem : Best App
Why Should a Healthy Person Consider Medigap?
Even healthy individuals have good reason to consider Medigap, especially since everyone's health eventually begins to decline with age.
- No networks: With no networks, healthy Medigap subscribers can visit any U.S. doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, which is ideal for healthy individuals who spend much of the year visiting family or traveling to other destinations.
- International travel: Retirement is an ideal time for exploring the globe, especially for those who are healthy. Neither Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage cover your medical needs while you are abroad, and, unfortunately, travel-associated illness or injury is not uncommon in older adults. Certain Medigap plans cover these expenses for up to $50,000 after a deductible of $250.
- Renewable for life: Assuming you pay your premiums on time and do not misrepresent yourself, your Medigap policy cannot be canceled for any reason, unlike Medicare Advantage.
- Preventative care: Preventative care can help us remain in good health longer and is extremely valuable, especially for healthy people with a family history of certain hereditary diseases. For example, if you do the genetic testing and find out you have one of the breast cancer genes, you may choose to get a double mastectomy as a precaution. Medicare will only cover 80 percent of the costs. This surgery plus reconstruction can cost upwards of $50,000 in some locations. Without Medigap, you would be responsible for $10,000 of out-of-pocket costs. If you have a Medigap policy, it will cover most of what you owe.
- Preparing for the future: Even those of us in the best of health are not immune to age. Our chances of facing medical problems continue to increase as we get older, and often, diseases such as cancer or dementia can afflict even people with the cleanest medical records. Purchasing Medigap early on helps limit the expenses you and your loved ones must take on should your health begin to decline.
FYI: If you want to learn about the best Medigap Plans overall, then check out my rundown of this year’s best Medicare supplemental insurance.
The Best Medicare Supplement Plans for a Healthy Person
1. Humana - Best Overall Plans
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans offered
- 24/7 customer service
- Vision and dental add-ons available
- High-deductible plan options
Overview
Humana offers Medigap policies in 49 states (all but Virginia), and they offer some of the best benefits that go beyond that of their Medigap policies. In particular, we appreciate their discounts on hearing and vision services, as well as their 24/7 nurse hotline available to policyholders.
Humana also offers dental and vision policies that can be added to your Medigap policy at discounted rates.
To learn more about this provider, be sure to check out our full rundown of Humana Medigap plans.
Humana Medigap Quotes*
| Humana Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan F – High Deductible | $63.88 |
| Plan G – High Deductible | $62.31 |
| Plan G | $252.31 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old nonsmoking woman from Nevada
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
2. Aetna - Affordable Premiums
What We Like Most:
- Five plans to choose from
- Additional benefits for plan members
- No network restrictions
- Keep your coverage even if you move
Overview
Aetna, which recently became a subsidiary of CVS Health, is an insurance legend with more than a century of experience providing coverage for U.S. residents. Today, Aetna boasts a network of 1.2 million health professionals and serves over 22.1 million medical members. The company’s supplemental Medicare policies are available in most of the country. Aetna also offers stand-alone dental and prescription policies that Medigap subscribers can add to their plans.
To receive a personalized quote for Aetna’s Medigap insurance, you can either call their customer service line or use the quote-finding tool on their website.
Aetna Medigap Quotes*
| Aetna Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan F – High Deductible | $77 |
| Plan G – High Deductible | $48 |
| Plan G | $124 |
| Plan N | $97 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old nonsmoking woman from Texas
Pros
- Fewer age-related rate increases
- Guaranteed renewable policies
- No network restrictions
- High-deductible options
Cons
- No credit card payments
- Not available in all states
3. Cigna - Widest Network Coverage
What We Like Most:
- Large range of plans
- Coverage for people with preexisting conditions
- Foreign travel emergency coverage available
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance available
Overview
Less than 20 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Philadelphia-based Cigna was established as the Insurance Company of North America. To this day, it remains the United States’ oldest stockholder-owned insurer. Cigna’s Medigap plans are available in 48 states, and the company provides three of the plans we selected as best for healthy individuals.
Plans G and N cover emergency medical expenses endured during international travel and ensure your out-of-pocket costs beyond your Part B premium do not include any surprises. Part F-High Deductible is a low premium option for those willing to spend about $2,000 before coverage starts. Cigna is well known for its 24/7 Health Information Line and its focus on holistic health.
In a matter of minutes, you can obtain a sample quote from Cigna through either their website or customer service hotline.
Cigna Medigap Quotes*
| Cigna Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan F – High Deductible* | $40 |
| Plan G | $148 |
| Plan N | $109 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old nonsmoking woman from Texas
Pros
- Health-tracking mobile app
- 12-month price-lock guarantee
- Household discounts on policies
- Discounts on fitness memberships and products
Cons
- Premiums often increase with age
4. Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans - Best Customer Service
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans
- 12% spouse discount
- Prescription-drug and dental options
- No network restrictions
Overview
Since its start in 1909, Mutual of Omaha has been a mutual company owned by and accountable only to its policyholders. As such, Mutual of Omaha customers can be extra confident the company has their well-being in mind. Currently, Mutual of Omaha provides insurance and financial products for personal and business purposes nationwide, including Medigap. Mutual of Omaha offers three of the four policies we identified as great picks for healthy individuals: Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F- High Deductible.
For a personalized Medigap quote from Mutual of Omaha, you can either visit their website or contact them via telephone.
Mutual of Omaha Medigap Quotes*
| Mutual of Omaha Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan G – High Deductible | $41 |
| Plan G | $116 |
| Plan N | $91 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old nonsmoking woman from Texas
FYI: In 47 states, people who purchase a Medigap policy after their first six months of eligibility or switch from a Medicare Advantage plan may experience higher premiums, as it’s likely their provider will require information such as age, family history, and preexisting conditions.
Pros
- Policyholders share in company profits
- Online and telephone support
- Up to 12 percent spouse discounts
- Renewable for life
Cons
- Higher premiums
5. AARP Medicare - Best Senior Expertise
What We Like Most:
- Household and electronic payment discounts
- Plans A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N offered
- Helpful online resources
Overview
Senior advocacy organization AARP has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to form the most popular Medicare supplement provider in America, with over 4 million insured individuals across all 50 states. AARP offers all major Medigap plan options. Among the Medigap plans we identified as best for healthy people, AARP provides Plan F-High Deductible, Plan G, and Plan N.
AARP’s plans also include a few extra incentives for healthy individuals, including free fitness and health memberships, discounts from both AARP and UnitedHealthcare, and round-the-clock access to health experts, healthy recipes, and more. Furthermore, healthy 65-year-old individuals or older can see discounts as high as 39 percent.
To get a personalized quote for AARP Medigap, visit the company’s website and fill out your basic info or call UnitedHealthcare.
AARP Medigap Quotes*
| AARP Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan | $40 |
| Plan G | $128 |
| Plan N | $109 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old woman from Texas
Pros
- SilverSneakers fitness app and program
- 24/7 registered nurse line
- Significant dental, vision, and hearing discounts
- Wide range of coverage
Cons
- AARP membership required
6. Anthem - Best App
What We Like Most:
- Extensive provider network
- Affordable monthly premiums
- Bundling options with health and dental
- Large selection of plans
Overview
Anthem, a Blue Cross Blue Shield Association member, has been a symbol of expertise in the insurance industry for over 75 years and maintains its headquarters in Indiana. Today, Anthem Medigap is available in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Anthem offers two of the plans we designated as best for healthy people: Plan G and Plan N. It does not offer high-deductible choices. Anthem provides enrollment discounts for both spouses or domestic partners as well as a free SilverSneakers program membership. Anthem’s Extras Packages allow you to sign up for stand-alone Anthem vision and/or dental insurance at the same time you select your Medigap plan. You can also add Part D for prescription assistance. Many Anthem Extras packages give you access to both Aetna Member and Travel Assistance programs which help you maintain your health at home as well as on your adventures abroad.
Anthem Medigap Quotes*
| Anthem Medigap Policy | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan G | $151 |
| Plan N | $134 |
*Quote for a 70-year-old woman from Colorado
Certain Anthem payment options allow you to save even more. For example, you can save $2 per month using an automatic bank draft to pay your bill or $48 annually should you prefer to pay in one lump sum.
Pros
- Prescription, vision, and dental add-ons
- Travel assistance for health care abroad
- Simple app for policy management
- Discounts for quarterly or annual billing
Cons
- Available in only 15 states
Which Medigap Plans are Best for Healthy People?
Healthy individuals will likely find Medigap Plan G, Plan G-High Deductible, or Plan N most cost-effective, depending on how often you may expect a need for medical care and your level of risk averseness. If you became eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020, then you’d also be eligible for Plan F-High Deductible, which covers Part B coinsurance and copays entirely––another plan of interest for healthy people.
All of these Medigap plans include coverage for emergency medical expenses during international travel. This is in addition to 100 percent coverage for your Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, 365 days of skilled nursing, and Part A coinsurance — all for lower-than-average premiums. Plan G covers Part B copays and coinsurance but costs slightly more than Plan N each month, which limits your Part B costs to a $20 copay for some office visits and up to $50 copay for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.
How We Chose the Best Medigap Policies for Healthy People
Since the government regulates Medicare supplemental insurance, the actual coverage of each specified plan will be the same across different insurers. With that said, there were some qualities we looked for when making our choices for which insurers offered the best Medigap plans for healthy individuals.
- Transparent pricing: We looked for companies that were clear about their costs and didn’t hide lots of extra charges in the fine print. We also made sure to select insurers that didn’t employ dramatic rate increases or other less ethical financial practices.
- Simple purchasing: We only selected insurance companies with easy-to-navigate websites and mobile applications. In addition, we preferred companies that made benefits simple for older adults to read and understand.
- Extra benefits: Our team specifically chose insurers that offered additional health and fitness benefits, discounts on or add-on policies for hearing, vision, and dental, and other unique perks, such as travel assistance.