Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in Nevada

Medicare Supplement Plans are private insurance products you can add on to your Original Medicare coverage to help pay out-of-pocket costs. These are the costs left over after Medicare covers its portion. Also known Medigap plans, anyone who qualifies for Medicare in Nevada can purchase one of these plans.

There are several types of Medigap plans in Nevada, and each has different coverage, rates and availability. Since Medigap plans are private insurance products, you might not be able to find the same plans or rates everywhere or from every insurance company. You will need to check with providers in your area to find out what specific plans are offered and how much they will cost.

T here are 10 different types of Medigap plans offered in most states, plus high-deductible versions for two of these plans. Each Medigap plan is named with a letter, like Medigap Plan A or Medigap Plan G. The federal government sets the standards for what each plan must cover, but some insurance companies may not offer every one of these plans, while others may choose to include additional coverage.

All Nevada Medigap plans will cover:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance for hospital and hospice care
• Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments
• Blood needed for medical procedures (first 3 pints in a year)

Some Nevada Medigap plans will also cover:

• Part A coinsurance for skilled nursing care facility
• Part A deductible
• Part B excess charges
• Up to 80% of foreign travel emergency healthcare

You can see exactly what’s covered in each plan by using this side-by-side comparison chart.

Each of these plans is offered in Nevada, but selection can vary from one insurance company to another and in different locations. There are also high-deductible versions of plans F and G. Plans C and F can no longer be sold to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, because of a change that prohibits plans from fully covering Part B deductibles.

The cost of a Medigap plan can vary based on the insurance company offering the plan. Some plans also base costs on your age, while others rely on market conditions.

Rates vary by plan type and insurance company, but Medigap premiums in Nevada range from about $48 to $1,240 per month for standard plans and $30 to $216 per month for high-deductible plans as of 2022. Most plans also offer full coverage of Part B copayments and coinsurance.

When you have a Medigap plan, your Original Medicare coverage is applied first before your supplement benefits begin. Many people are eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, but pay an income-based premium for Medicare Part B, plus deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans can be used to cover your share of the Part A deductible, and any copayments or coinsurance you are left with after your Medicare benefits are paid. Although you will pay a premium for your Medigap coverage, the cost of your Medigap premium for many people is often less than you would pay for out-of-pocket costs without a supplemental plan.

Some Medigap plans also give discounts for things like:

• Being a non-smoker
• Paying your premium annually instead of monthly
• Joining as a married couple

You may also consider using a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare with Medigap coverage. A GoHealth licensed insurance agent can help you find the right fit based on your budget and your healthcare needs.

If you are eligible for Original Medicare, you can purchase a Medigap plan. You could be denied based on a pre-existing health condition or pay more if you don’t sign up for a Medigap plan when you first become eligible for Medicare.

You will have the most coverage options if you buy a Medigap plan during your initial six-month open enrollment period. This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B coverage. After this period, insurance companies can deny coverage or raise rates based on your pre-existing health conditions or other factors.

If you want to add Medigap to your Original Medicare, it’s best to check the different types of plans available in your area and see what will best fit your needs and budget. You can use Medicare’s online plan finder tool to help you locate plans and providers in your zip code. Or, GoHealth’s licensed insurance agents can help you find plans in your area and compare them to see which will best fit your needs.

Medigap plans used to be allowed to include prescription drug coverage, but the rules changed in 2006. As of January 1, 2006, Medicare Supplement Plans are no longer permitted to include prescription medication benefits. If you qualified for Medigap coverage before 2006 and purchased a plan with drug coverage, you can keep it. But if you ever change or remove your plan, you won’t be able to add it back later.

The only way to get prescription drug coverage with a Medigap plan now is to purchase a Medicare Part D plan. If you do have drug coverage from a Medigap plan purchased before 2006, you cannot be enrolled in a Part D plan at the same time.

Medigap plans in Nevada can only be combined with Original Medicare. You will need to cancel your Medigap policy if you want to opt out of Original Medicare and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans combine all of the elements of Original Medicare plus additional services like drug coverage, hearing and vision coverage, and more. If you switch to Medicare Advantage and want to switch back to Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, you get a one-time, 12-month grace period where you can get your old coverage back or select a new plan.