2017 Medicare Supplement Rates — A Look Ahead

 California Medicare Supplement Rates, Medigap by County Information, Medigap Plan Choice Comparison  Comments Off on 2017 Medicare Supplement Rates — A Look Ahead
Jul 212016
 

Seniors are patiently waiting for CMS to release the pricing for Medicare Supplements for 2017.  We will provide updated pricing as soon as it comes available.  It is likely that prices will increase this year.  Many seniors may find the plan cost offerings to have jumped in price more than would be preferred, but utilizing this year’s pricing will provide insight into pricing and allow for some level of budgeting. Their is not an exact date that rates are published, but they are released in the fall each year. It is important to watch for the rates so that you have time to decide what will work best for you.

2016 California Medicare Supplemental (Medigap) Rates Los Angeles County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from State Farm Insurance Company from $1756.00. Second best is USAA Life. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $4468 from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. This is a huge difference for the same plan!

Their are many other companies that offer Medigap or Medicare Supplemental plans in Los Angeles County. This includes Aetna Life, Blue Cross, Gerber, and Humana.

 

Orange County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from USAA Life Insurance Company from $1846.00. Second best is Stonebridge Life Insurance Company. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $4459 from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. This is a considerable difference in cost.

Ventura County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from State Farm Insurance Company from $1706.00. Second best is Globe Life Insurance Company at $1846. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $4466 through Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. This is another significant difference.

San Bernardino County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from California Physicians Service from $1200.00. Second best is Colonial Penn Insurance Company at $1216. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $2089 through Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company. This is another significant difference.

Riverside County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from State Farm Mutual from $938.00. Second best is Stonebridge Life Insurance Company at $1133. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $2327 through Physician’s Mutual Insurance Company. This is a $1,389 difference from highest to lowest.

San Diego County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from Blue Cross of California from $1431.00. Second best is Loyal American Life Insurance Company at $1445. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $2387 through Physician’s Mutual Insurance Company. The difference between the highest and lowest is not as great as in some counties. 

Imperial County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from Health Life Insurance Company from $1080.00. Second best is State Farm Mutual Insurance Company. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $2006 through Physician’s Mutual Insurance Company. This is a $926 difference from highest to lowest.

Inyo County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from State Farm Insurance Company from $901. Second best is Stone Bridge Insurance Company at $956. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $2006 through Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. This is over a $1,000 difference from least expensive to most expensive.

Santa Barbara County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from Colonial Penn Insurance Company from $1106.00. Second best is California Physicians Service at $1128. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $1877 through Thrivent Financial Company. This is another significant difference.

Tulare County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from Health Net Life Insurance Company from $1080.00. Second best is United American Insurance Company at $1130. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $1765 through Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. This is a $685 Difference. Not as high as some counties, but still a significant difference.

Kings County

  • Male or Female age 65 (smoker OR non-smoker) — Best Price Medigap Plan A offering is from State Farm Insurance Company from $901.00. Second best is Globe Life Insurance Company at $902. This compares with the highest cost plan offered from $1794 through Sterling Life Insurance Company. This is an $893 difference.

When searching for plan rates, it’s important for seniors to note the potential for wide variability in plans. Factors such as age, sex, smoker and zip code can influence rates. Because of the types of plans offered, seniors should note first what type of plan they wish to seek out (designated by the letter type found at Medicare.gov or at our article here).  After choosing the medicare supplement plan that is most desirable, seniors can compare the same plans across the full breadth of insurance companies in their county in California.  Plans with a designated letter will share the same attributes regardless of the insurance company that offers them!  Therefore, price should be the main characteristic that shoppers should use to decide on a plan. Other factors, h0wever, such as reputation of the insurance company and plan network may be an additional consideration for seniors to consider when comparing medicare plans.