by Steve Donohue NH Medigap Agent

Here in NH for the past the past decade the NH Medicare Supplement (or Medigap) Plan F has been the go-to plan for seniors looking for deluxe Medicare insurance coverage.

However starting in 2018 we have seen a shift here at our agency, with the NH Medicare Supplement Plan G emerging as a great value for NH Seniors for the following 7 reasons:

1. Medicare Supplement Plans allow you to use ANY doctor who accepts Medicare. This means that you have broad access to care locally- AND- throughout the US (...think snowbirds!)
2. Medigap Plan G is SIMILAR to the Plan F- I like to say that the Supplement Plan G is Plan F's nice looking younger sister. The Plan G covers hospital, nursing home, and MANY things the SAME EXACT WAY that the Plan F does. What is the difference..? The Plan G does NOT cover the Part B deductible of $198.
3. Plan G Supplement offers SIGNIFICANT Monthly Premium Savings- Today in NH the Plan G Supplement has premiums that are SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER than the Plan F. In 2020 Anthem's Blue Cross Blue Shield of NH Plan F for a Male Age 65 is  $212.21 a month and the NH Plan G Medigap with Anthem is only $155.48- that's a savings of $56.73/month or  $680.76 annually. So with MOST NH Medicare insurers the savings far exceeds the added expense of the $198 Part B Deductible.
4. Plan G Still Covers Excess Charges- Like the Plan F the Plan G DOES COVER EXCESS CHARGES! Now excess charges are not frequent- and also often not significant but conservative shoppers enjoy that extra protection.
5.  Plan F has LIMITED ENROLLMENT in 2020 - After 1/1/2020 the Plan F will no longer be offered to new enrollees (see article). People who ALREADY HAVE PLAN F can keep it  after 2020. Also people who were eligible for Medicare prior to 12/31/2019 may apply Plan F.  What historically happens when a plan is no longer offered, or has limited enrollment the cost for that plan tends to increase. (The Medicare Supplement Plan J is an excellent example of this.) So if Plan G is going to be available in the future it is likely that the rates may be more stable. 
6. Set it and Forget It- As a NH Medicare insurance agent who has  specialized in Medicare plans for over a decade I see seniors that are now in their 70's that still have the same Medicare Supplement plan they bought years ago. So for seniors looking for a long term solution- or plan that will fit for years to come- the Plan G supplement is an excellent idea. 
7. Foreign Travel Benefit- When you buy the Plan G NH supplement you receive up to $50,000 in foreign travel benefits.

If you would like to learn more about the different NH Medicare Supplemental Plans that are available please give us a call at 603-882-2909.

See NH Medicare Supplement Plan G  additional information & resources:
NH Medigap Plan G 2020 Benefit Summary
NH Plan G - who has the best Rates for 2020? 
NH Medicare Supplement Quote
NH Medicare Blog 

Atlantic Insurance in Nashua helps seniors with ALL their insurance needs including special programs for home, car, umbrella, life insurance and of course Medicare Insurance plans.

by Stephen Donohue NH Medicare Supplemental Plan Agent           GET NH MEDIGAP QUOTE NOW

In New Hampshire, there are about 20 different insurers to choose from for Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plans. So, how do you make a choice? Here is our in depth review of 5 different insurers that offer Plans to Medicare Supplement shoppers in NH. Our review of these 5 POPULAR NH Medicare Supplement insurers will include what Plans they offer, Monthly Premiums, Financial Strength, Added Benefits and Discounts offered.

As you might know, Medicare Supplement Plans are STANDARDIZED PLAN DESIGNS, this means that the Plan G has the same coverage regardless of which insurer you buy it from. (To see the standard NH Plan G  Medicare Supplement benefit summary CLICK HERE).

With that said, not all NH Medicare SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE Companies are the same. Costs vary WILDLY from one insurer to another. Some NH Medicare insurers offer lower rates for women, and some offer significant discounts if a SPOUSE or HOUSEHOLD Member also enrolls.  Below, please find our 2020 REVIEW of (5) NH Medigap  Insurers.

 
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of NH Medicare Supplement Plans  
Anthem is the largest health insurance company in NH, and has been an insurer here in NH for over 90 years. Anthem offers health insurance for individuals, small and large employer groups, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Plans.Today,

Anthem is also the largest writer of Medicare Supplement plans in NH - with over 30% of the NH Senior Supplement Market (see article here) and for good reason- Anthem offers great rates, a variety of payment options, excellent  claims payment and a high level of customer service.            

One unique Anthem statistic as of March 2020 Anthem covers 914,000 for Medicare Supplement plans nationally, 

Anthem NH Supplement Plans offered?  In NH Anthem offers Medigap Plans A  F  G and N  

Financial Strength:  AM Best Rating A (Excellent)   S&P Rating A+

Years in NH Medicare Market: 54                                               GET NH ANTHEM MEDIGAP QUOTE NOW

2020 Anthem NH Medigap Rates for  Plan G  Age 65 Female:  $141.36 month
2020 Anthem NH Medigap Rates for  Plan G  Age 65 Male:     $155.48 month 
(Rates include $2 EFT Discount)

One of Anthem's nice added benefits to their NH Medicare Supplement plan is the SILVER SNEAKERS PROGRAM (see video here) Silver Sneakers is a health & fitness plan with access to 17,000 fitness facilities throughout the US.

Anthem offers several payment methods including OLDE fashioned monthly paper bill that many seniors prefer.

DISCOUNTS:
There is a 5% household discount for their Anthem NH Medigap Plans- meaning your costs are lower if you live with someone else who is enrolled on a NH Anthem Medicare Supplement plan.
a $2 EFT/ACH Monthly Discount
and an annual $48 Pay in Full discount.                                            GET NH AETNA MEDIGAP QUOTE NOW       

​(For more info about how to apply for Anthem  Blue Cross NH Medicare insurance plans please call Steve Donohue at 603-882-2909)

Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare  NH Medicare Supplement Review 
In NH , Harvard sells supplement plans under the name HPHC Insurance company. Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare of New England is a regional insurer offering health insurance in NH, MA, ME, and CT. Like Anthem, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare offers health plans to every person in NH. Harvard offers health insurance for individuals, small and large employer groups, Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage Plans. Harvard has over 35 years experience in offering plans to Medicare beneficiaries.

Harvard Pilgrim NH Supplement Plans offered?  In NH Harvard offers Medigap Plans A  F  G M and N  

Financial Strength: AM Best Rating Not Available             S&P  Rating Not Available

Years in NH Medicare Market: 40                                        GET NH Harvard Pilgrim  MEDIGAP QUOTE NOW

2020 Harvard Pilgrim NH Medigap Rates for  Plan G  Age 65 : $147 month  (same rate for MALE OR FEMALE)

Discounts
Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare offers a variety of DISCOUNTS including 35% off eyeglasses as well as a FITNESS CLUB REIMBURSEMENT

​(For more info about how to apply for Harvard Pilgrim NH Medicare plans please call Steve Donohue at 603-882-2909)

 NH CIGNA Medicare Supplement Review
CIGNA offers health insurance plans throughout the US. CIGNA  sells NH Medicare Supplement plans under the name Loyal American Life Insurance Company.

CIGNA  NH Supplement Plans offered?  In NH CIGNA offers Medigap Plans A,  G and N  (F also for people who still qualify)
​​
2020 CIGNA NH Medigap Rates for  Plan G  Age 65 FEMALE : $166.78 month 
2020 CIGNA NH Medigap Rates for  Plan G  Age 65 MALE : $185.13 month 

​Financial Strength: AM Best Rating A (Excellent)     S&P Rating: n/a
​
Years in NH Medicare Market: 7                                  GET NH  CIGNA MEDIGAP QUOTE NOW
DISCOUNTS: 
CIGNA offers up to a 7% household discount.
CIGNA's Healthy Rewards, for real savings on vitamins, vision and hearing care, health clubs, alternative medicine, weight management and more.

NEWS: Cigna has recently had a rate reduction here in NH for supplement plans.

If you want more information please contact Steve Donohue at Atlantic Insurance 603-882-2909.