Maine Medicare Supplemental Insurance Overview

Seniors residents in Maine benefits from a wide variety of Medicare supplemental plans (also called Medigap plans). There are eleven Medigap plans on offer in Maine, including ten standard plans and one high-deductible plan. Since 1992, Medigap plans in Maine have been standardized, meaning that policies must offer the same insurance benefits regardless of which company you purchase one through.

While Medicare supplemental insurance in Maine is regulated on the federal and state levels, policies are sold through individual insurance companies. Companies can offer up to all of the eleven available Medigap policies, or they can offer as few as one. Most companies offer just a handful of policies, and any company selling Medicare supplemental insurance in Maine must at least offer Medigap Plan A, which consists of the most basic insurance benefits.

Because insurance plans are sold through private companies, individual insurers have the liberty to set their own monthly premiums. More often than not, the main difference between two well-established insurance companies is simply their prices. It's important to shop around for an insurer that offers good customer service, a Medigap policy that best suits the needs of you and your spouse, and a premium that works for your budget.

The Medigap policies available to senior residents in Maine are: Plans A, B, C, D, E, F, G, J, K, L, and high-deductible Plan F. All policies after Plan A consist of at least the benefits of Plan A, plus one or more additional benefits. High-deductible Plan F consists of the same benefits as regular Plan F, but offers a significantly lower monthly premium in exchange for a higher out-of-pocket annual deductible ($1900 in 2008).

Prescription drugs are not covered through Medicare supplemental insurance. As of January 1, 2006, Medigap plans with prescription drug coverage ceased being sold in Maine, and seniors residents must now collect their prescription drug benefits through Medicare Part D. If you have a Medigap Plan I, H, or J (or coverage purchased before 1992), and you enroll in Medicare Part D, you should contact your insurer to remove the prescription drug benefits and have your premium adjusted.