How to compare Medicare Supplement Plan G across carriers.
Because Plan G’s benefits are federally standardized, comparing Plan G across carriers comes down to a small number of factors that don’t appear on the benefits list.
What’s identical across every Plan G
Per federal law, every Plan G sold in your state covers exactly the same set of services in exactly the same way. Coverage cannot vary by carrier within the same state.
What varies between carriers
- Monthly premium. This is where carriers differentiate. Premiums for the same Plan G can vary by 30% or more between carriers in the same zip code.
- Rating method. Carriers use one of three approaches: community-rated (premium doesn’t change with age), issue-age (locked at enrollment age), or attained-age (rises with your age). Long-term cost can differ significantly.
- Annual rate increases. Some carriers historically raise rates more aggressively than others.
- Discounts. Household discounts, electronic payment discounts, and similar reductions vary.
- Underwriting outside open enrollment. Outside guaranteed-issue periods, carriers underwrite based on health, and acceptance criteria vary.
- Claim handling and customer service. Subjective but real.
How to think about premium differences
A lower-premium Plan G covers exactly the same services as a higher-premium Plan G. Choosing the lowest-premium financially-stable carrier is generally the rational choice — assuming the carrier is established and has stable rate history.
How a licensed agent helps
A licensed El-Mag agent compares Plan G premiums across the supplement carriers we represent and identifies the lowest-premium option that meets your situation. Our Medigap carrier roster includes:
AARP/UnitedHealthcare · Mutual of Omaha · Cigna · Aetna · Humana · Aflac · Physicians Mutual · United American/Globe Life · Banker's Fidelity (BFAC & BFIC) · WPS.
Carrier availability varies by state.
Compare Plan G premiums.