Tag: Medigap

Why Choose a High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan?

Post author By Dan
Post date November 17, 2025

“Ask the Experts TV” asked about the Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G. Click and watch the video from the February 17 livestream interview here:

reason 1: Lower your MAXIMUM annual out-of-pocket

The annual maximum out-of-pocket is the amount you could potentially pay in medical co-pays after which your plan covers 100%.

Most Medicare Advantage plans include an annual maximum out-of-pocket amount for medical co-pays, ranging from $6,000 to $9,250. With a Medicare Supplement High Deductible plan, your maximum out-of-pocket is $2,950.

So, you would be lowering the amount you would pay before your plan covers 100% – reducing your potential exposure by thousands of dollars.

reason 2: Lower YOUR COMBINED annual premium and deductible costs

Let’s do some math:

Traditional Plan G:
$4800 annual premium (avg. $400/month) check your county
+ $283 Part B deductible
$5083

High Deductible G
$900 annual premium (avg $75/month) check your county
+$2950 maximum (Parts A and B deductible and 20% cost share)
$3850

Smart Tip: Set aside $250 saved in monthly premium payment for the $2950 to cover the Parts A and B deductible and 20% share. Depending on your medical claims you should have money left over on December 31.

NY STATE RATES

APPLICATION

IS this Like with other deductibles and I pay the first $2,950 in medical bills?

No. After you pay the Parts A and B deductibles, Medicare pays its share of claims (usually 80%) and you pay the 20%. Once your deductible and 20% share reaches $2,950, then your supplement plan pays 100% for the rest of the year. Think of it as a $2,950 cap on your out of pocket costs.

	2026
Part A deductible per period	$1,736
+ Part B deductible	$283
+ Part B co-share	20%
= Maximum Out of Pocket	$2,950

Will hospitals and doctors will accept my High Deductible plan?

Yes, if your provider participates in Original Medicare for your primary coverage, they will accept your Medigap supplemental coverage; including plans with deductibles like Plans G, N and High Deductible. This way you have access to the nationwide network of doctors and hospitals participating in Original Medicare.

How does a High Deductible compare to Medicare Advantage plan?

- - Medicare Advantage plans include a limit on out-of-pocket costs; ranging from $6,000 to $9,250 per year for in-network medical services. (Up to $13,900 for in and out of network) Compare to a Medicare Supplement High Deductible plan with the annual maximum out-of-pocket cost capped at $2,950

- - Medicare Advantage plans manage your Medicare benefits through contracts with in-network providers and hospitals. As mentioned above, any provider accepting Original Medicare for your primary coverage will accept your supplement coverage – eliminating the “is my doctor in-network with my plan” questions.
  - Most Medicare Advantage plans, including those with a low monthly premium, include Part D prescription drug coverage. With Medicare Supplement, you will need to obtain separate creditable Part D drug coverage. during an Annual Enrollment, Open Enrollment or Special Enrollment Period. VA drug benefits are considered creditable coverage.
  - Many Medicare Advantage plans include features like dental allowance, fitness membership, eyewear and hearing aid benefits not available with Original Medicare.

Download 3 separate documents↓↓↓

Globe Life application Form 1 sign page 3 (and 5 for EFT)

Globe Life application Form 2 sign page 1

Globe Life application Form 3 sign page 1

About Globe Life Insurance of NY

Our agents are authorized to represent the Globe Life Insurance Company and Humana Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plans. Please call us at (518) 346-2115 or send any agent a quick note with your questions:

Tags Albany NY, Buffalo NY, Globe Life, High Deductible, High Deductible F Plan, Humana Medicare, Medicare, Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare supplement, Medigap, MedSupp, New York, Rochester NY, Schenectady NY, Syracuse NY

Medicare Medicare A & B Medicare supplement Part C Medicare Advantage Part D Prescription Drug

About the 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment

Post author By Dan
Post date October 15, 2025
No Comments on About the 2026 Medicare Annual Enrollment

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period, from October 15^ththrough December 7^th, is when Medicare beneficiaries can enroll in or change their Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D) plan to take effect January 1.

Some Important Tips to Consider if you are now enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) Plan:

You can leave your Medicare Advantage plan and enroll in another Medicare Advantage plan offered in your county. [We offer several]
Even if you decide to stay with your current Medicare Advantage plan, make sure your doctors and preferred hospitals are still in your network, especially if your plan is a HMO.
You can leave Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare and purchase a Medicare Supplement (aka Medigap) policy. For New York State residents, acceptance is guaranteed and the continuous coverage transfer means no pre-existing condition limitations apply.

Some Important Tips to Consider if you HAVE ORIGINAL MEDICARE AND a Medicare SUPPLEMENT Plan:

The Annual Enrollment Period applies to your Part D drug plan only.
New York State residents can change their Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year and without medical underwriting. An example could be changing from one company to another or changing from one plan (Plan F, Plan G, Plan N or High Deductible) to another.
You can leave your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and join a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period. There is no underwriting to move to a Medicare Advantage plan. You will be automatically accepted as long as your permanent address is within the coverage area.
Unless your prescription drugs are covered through the Veterans Administration, most individuals with Original Medicare and a Medicare Supplement plan also add a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. We recommend updating your medication list and confirming – through your personal account at medicare.gov – which Part D drug plans will cover your prescriptions at the lowest annual out of pocket costs – that includes premium, deductible and prescription copay costs.

Our team of licensed, independent and certified agent advisors, from Long Island to the North Country, offer a no-obligation complimentary consultation to help you compare Medicare plans in your coverage area.

So, reach out to local agent by phone, an online note or book an appointment directly to his or her calendar and learn more about your Medicare plan options.

Medicare Medicare A & B

Medicare Tips: Part B

Unlike Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient care in a hospital, skilled nursing or hospice facility, Part B covers through outpatient care, services from doctors and other providers, durable medical equipment and many preventative screenings.

Individuals already receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B effective the first day of the month you turn 65.
- At age 65, individuals choosing to delay their Social Security benefit need to contact Social Security, online or your local office, to activate Parts A and B.
- Individuals receiving Social Security Disability benefits are automatically enrolled in Parts A and B after 24 months.
- At age 65, those covered through their individual or spouse’s currently employed group health plan (20 or more employees) may delay Part B WITHOUT PENALTY until they, or their spouse, are no longer employed and the employer coverage ends.
The standard Part B premium amount in 2026 is $202.90.
- If your 2024 Adjusted Gross Income was above a certain amount, you may pay more – an Income Related Monthly Adjustment.
- If your current monthly income is below a certain amount, you may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Program which will subsidize the Part B premium.
Paying the Part B premium
- If you receive Social Security benefits, your Part B premium (and the IRMAA adjustment, if applicable) will be deducted from your monthly Social Security payment.
- If you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and have deferred the Social Security benefit, Medicare sends a bill for the Part B premium and, if applicable, any IRMAA adjustment, which can be paid by check or online.

Tags Albany NY, IRMAA, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Part B, Medicare Savings Program, Medicare supplement, Medigap, New York, Special Enrollment Period

Medicare supplement

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Post author By Dan Alcorn
Post date April 29, 2020
2 Comments on What is a Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G, also called Medigap, coverage is very similar to Plan F. It offers great value for beneficiaries who are willing to pay a small annual deductible. After that, Plan G provides full coverage for all of the gaps in Medicare. It pays for your hospital deductible, copays and coinsurance. It also covers the 20% that Part B doesn’t cover.

Plan G is an increasingly popular supplement for several reasons.

First, it has great coverage. For Medicare Part A in-patient hospital stays, it covers all of your expenses. That includes the Part A hospital deductible, which is $1,556 in 2022.

Second, Plan G covers each of the gaps in Medicare except for the $233 annual Part B deductible. We can often find a supplement Plan G that saves quite a bit in annual premiums over Plan F, substantially more than the $198 annual deductible.

Compare for Yourself! New York State Department of Financial Services publishes the Medicare Supplement monthly premiums by county. Yes, it is as simple as that. I represent several of the insurance companies listed here and can assist you with the application process, please call (518) 346-2115 or book a telephone or video appointment directly to my calendar.

Attn: New York Residents. Did You Know?

Enrollment Calendar: New York State residents enrolled in Medicare can choose or change to a Medicare Supplement / Medigap Plan at any time. That’s because New York is a “guaranteed issue” state.
Health Underwriting? New York State residents enrolling in a Medicare Supplement / Medigap Plan are not subject to health underwriting.
Pre-Existing Conditions? The six month pre-existing condition claims exclusion can be eliminated for New York State residents changing to a Medigap plan from other creditable coverage.

Tags AARP, Albany, Albany NY, Buffalo NY, Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare supplement, Medigap, MedSupp, New York, Saratoga NY, Schenectady NY

Case Studies Medicare supplement

A conversation: Focus the fight against cancer instead of the HMO

Post author By Dan
Post date October 2, 2017
No Comments on A conversation: Focus the fight against cancer instead of the HMO

In this nearly 16 minute conversation Greensboro North Carolina residents, Bob and Signe Foxworth, talk about their frustration and anxiety of trying, unsuccesfully, to obtain HMO approval for Bob’s preferred out of network prostate cancer treatment. Listen as Bob and Signe explain how peace of mind came when Dan counseled them to revert to Original Medicare and enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan N.
Signe: “As I recall, it was tremendous anxiety at the time. Because not being able to get the treatment sooner rather than later could have had fatal consequences … We had more anxiety fighting the (HMO) insurance company than we did about his illness… We were kind of at our wits end.”
Bob: “I got $20,000 worth of treatment for $20 … Everything was covered.”
Signe: “In this whole thing, the most precious thing is that peace of mind knowing that you are covered. Yes, you strain a little on your monthly budget But things happen unexpectedly and you are covered. It’s really beautiful.”

For a personal consultation regarding your Medicare choices, call Dan at (518) 346-2115

Medicare A & B

Switching Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies

Post author By Dan
Post date March 28, 2017
11 Comments on Switching Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies

Reasons Why New Yorkers Switch Their Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Policies:

You’re paying for benefits you don’t need.
You need more benefits than you needed before.
Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to change your insurance company.
Your current Medigap policy has the right benefits, but you want to find a policy that’s less expensive.
NY State online tool: Simply Enter Your 5-Digit New York Zip Code to Compare MediGap Policies in Your Area

As a reminder, Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, are policies designed primarily to supplement (or fill the gap) Medicare benefits. You simply present your red, white and blue Medicare card to the provider or facility along with the Supplement / Medigap card to help with out-of-pocket costs; such as deductible and co-insurance amounts with Original Medicare Part A and Part B.

Currently, there are 10 standardized Medigap plans, each represented by a letter (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N; both Plans F and G offer a high-deductible version). These plans are available in most states. While premiums will vary from state to state the standardized benefits of each lettered plan remain the same despite the insurance company or location. For example, Plan F benefits are the same in Florida as they are in New York.

Q: Is there an Annual / Open Enrollment Period?

Most people buy their Medicare Supplement / Medigap policy during the six month period after they first enroll in Medicare. After that, in many states, Medigap insurance companies are generally allowed to use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application and how much to charge you for the Medigap policy.

Q: So How Do New York State Residents Have More Protection?

New York State laws and regulations continue this open enrollment period. A person enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B may purchase a Medigap policy at any time. Insurers may not consider an applicant’s health status, claims experience, or age. Laws in New York also prohibit insurers from basing Medigap premiums on age and charging a higher premium as they grow older. Also,

Q: But What About Pre-Existing Conditions; Are They Covered?

Medigap insurers may impose up to a six-month waiting period to be covered for any preexisting conditions a person may have. Federal law and New York State regulation define a preexisting condition as any condition for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage.
Under New York State regulation, the waiting period may be either reduced or waived entirely, depending upon whether an individual has had previous health insurance coverage. Medigap insurers are required to reduce the preexisting condition waiting period by the number of days an individual was covered under some form of “creditable” coverage so long as there were no breaks in coverage of more than 63 calendar days. Translation: If you are switching from a “creditable” plan that you have held consecutively for six months, New York regulation requires the new Medicare Supplement / Medigap plan to reduce or waive the six month pre-existing condition waiting period.