Nevada Medicare Supplemental Insurance Overview

Medicare supplemental insurance, also called 'Medigap', is sold through private health insurance companies in Nevada. Medigap policies are available to seniors (those aged 65 or better), certain people under age 65 who have disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease.

Medigap policies are designed to fill in for Medicare's coverage 'gaps'. While Medicare covers many health care services and expenses, there are many services it does not pay for. Supplemental health insurance helps make health care more affordable for Medicare members in Nevada and throughout the U.S.

There are twelve Medigap policies available to consumers in the U.S., and insurance companies in Nevada are permitted to offer all twelve of them to consumers. However, most insurance companies offer only a few select policies, so it's important to shop around and find the company that offers the best Medigap plan for your needs.

Medicare supplemental insurance policies are referred to by letters A-L. There are ten standard Medigap plans, plus two high-deductible options, which have been available in Nevada since 1999 (Plans F and J). All plans contain at least the benefits offered in Plan A, which offers the most basic benefits; all plans besides Plan A also contain one or more additional benefits. Monthly premiums are partially set according to the amount and type of benefits offered in a plan. Other factors that may affect plan pricing include your age, your tobacco use, and your current condition of health.

Medicare SELECT plans are an alternative to traditional Medigap plans for Nevada seniors. While Medigap policies cover the costs for health services from any licensed health care provider you choose, Medicare SELECT members must choose a health care providers from a pre-determined provider network. Consequently, the monthly premiums are lower for Medicare SELECT policies.

The insurance companies offering Medigap policies for seniors in Nevada were recently surveyed by the Department of Business and Industry, Division of Insurance. The Department collected and compiled premium information for Medicare supplemental insurance policies in Nevada. If you'd like to compare premiums between companies, you can find the results at the website for the Nevada Department of Insurance: http://www.doi.state.nv.us