Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky

Once you’ve enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, you’re eligible to apply for Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky. These plans will pick up your out-of-pocket expenses after Original Medicare is billed, so you will keep your original plan even after securing a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky. Since your Medicare Supplement insurance is designed to cover the gaps left with Parts A and B, it’s often referred to as a Medigap plan.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky: Enrollment Statistics

• The five largest counties in Kentucky include Jefferson County, Fayette County, Kenton County, Boone County and Hardin County.
• In 2015, there were close to 900,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Kentucky.
• Approximately 200,000 Kentucky residents were enrolled in Medicare Supplement plans. This translates to just over 30 percent of residents enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
• In 2017, approximately 25 percent of the state’s Medicare beneficiaries were also enrolled in Medicaid. Those enrolled in both Medicaid and Medicare accounted for just over 30 percent of Kentucky’s Medicaid spending.

How Are Rates Calculated for Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky?

Insurance companies offering Medicare Supplement plans in Kentucky have three options when generating rates for Medigap enrollees:

• Community
  

  All subscribers to a particular plan receive the same rate regardless of age. Some insurance companies will offer discounts for those enrolling within a few years of their 65th birthday.

• Issue-Age
  

  Your premium is based on your age at the time of enrollment. Your rates will not increase over time due to your age, but there are many other reasons that you are likely to experience premium increases over time.

• Attained-Age
  

  Premiums are always based on your current age, and you can expect rate increases over time.

In addition to your age, your premium quotes are based on your zip code or county, your use of tobacco products and your gender.

Available Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky

There are 10 Medicare Supplement plans standardized by the federal government. When you compare quotes from different insurance companies, you will see that most companies won’t offer all of those plans to Kentucky beneficiaries.

Each insurance company is given the freedom to choose which Medicare Supplement plans they want to offer in different states, but there are a couple rules that they must follow:

• All insurance carriers offering Medicare Supplement policies in Kentucky must include Plan A.
• Insurance companies offering Medigap policies other than Plan A are required to include Plan C and/or Plan F.

How Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover Drugs?

Regardless of which Medicare Supplement plan you select, it will not include a Medicare prescription drug plan.

Once you enroll in Original Medicare, you will have the option of enrolling in Medicare Part D.  You will pay two separate premiums for a Medigap plan and Part D.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky: When Can I Enroll?

As a Medicare beneficiary, you have three options for enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky:

• Initial Enrollment Period

  This is a six-month period that starts the first day of the month in which you turn 65 years old. This is the best time to enroll because all insurance companies are required to accept your application for any Medigap plan, and they cannot cancel your policy in the future unless you fail to make your payments.

 

• Special Enrollment Periods

  If you don’t enroll during your initial Medigap open enrollment period, you may qualify for a special enrollment period guarantees your acceptance.

 

• Anytime Enrollment
  

  You have the freedom to apply for a Medicare Supplement plan in Kentucky at any time, but you will have to go through the underwriting process and answer questions about your medical history if your application is outside of a guaranteed enrollment period. You’re likely to pay a higher rate outside of those guaranteed periods, and the insurance company can deny you coverage.

Notice that all of these options assume that you have already enrolled in Original Medicare. If you qualify for Medicare due to disability and are under the age of 65, you don’t receive the guaranteed acceptance for a Medigap plan until you turn 65. This doesn’t mean that you can’t apply for a plan to see what rates you’re offered.

Can I Use My Kentucky Medicare Supplement Plan In Other States?

You aren’t limited to doctors operating in Kentucky. One of the benefits of selecting a Medigap plan is the lack of networks restricting your options for medical care. You have the freedom to make an appointment with any medical professional accepting Original Medicare for payment. You do not need a referral for your Medigap plan to cover your Original Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance expenses.

If you move to a new zip code or county, you may notice a change in your Medigap premium. This won’t impact your ability to see any doctor accepting Medicare.

Kentucky Medicare Resources:

• Kentucky Health Insurance Assistance Program – From selecting the best Medicare Supplement plan for nursing and hospice care coverage to finding discount programs for prescription medication, this program offers free counseling and guidance for seniors in Kentucky.
• Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Costs – Use this link to see if you qualify for the Extra Help program and to apply online.