Medicare Plans in West Virginia in 2022
Medicare is a federal health insurance program that pays for some of your healthcare costs once you turn 65. Believe it or not, where you live has a significant impact on what types of Medicare coverage you have access to.
Being aware of your state-specific Medicare rights can help you to find the best plan options possible. That’s why it’s so important to have a good understanding of the nuances of Medicare in your state. Read on to learn more about your Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and Part D options in West Virginia.
How To Apply for Medicare in West Virginia
If you are a West Virginia resident who is only interested in enrolling in Original Medicare, you can do so through your local Social Security office. You can sign up in-person, online, or over the phone as early as three months before your 65th birthday.
However, if you are new to Medicare and want to explore your Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Part D drug coverage options, we recommend you speak with a licensed insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out to a team member here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in West Virginia
Which Medigap plans are available to you in West Virginia will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 91,308 West Virginia residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in 2019. This figure represented a little over a fifth (20.9%) of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year.
As of 2019, the most popular Medigap plan in West Virginia was Plan F, with about 53% of Medigap enrollees in the state choosing this policy. The plan offers some of the most comprehensive coverage around.
However, beneficiaries who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 will no longer be allowed to enroll in Plan F. Plans G and N are good alternatives.
Medigap Enrollment in West Virginia
The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is usually during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
This occurs when you first become eligible for Medicare and enroll in Medicare Part B, and it lasts for 6 months. During this time, you can enroll in any Medigap plan offered in your area regardless of your health history.
Unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right, you may have to undergo medical underwriting if you want to sign up for a Medigap plan after your OEP finalizes. In this case, insurance companies reserve the right to deny you coverage and/or charge you higher rates.
Some examples of guaranteed issue rights in West Virginia include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area, a change in retiree benefits, and losing your employer coverage.
Beneficiaries under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability are not granted any special Medigap protections in West Virginia. They can try to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance during their 6 month Medigap OEP, but insurance companies are not required to provide them coverage.
According to the Medicare Medigap plan finder tool, there were three Medigap insurance companies in West Virginia that sold Medicare Supplement Insurance to beneficiaries under the age of 65 in 2021. However, it is common for these individuals to face significantly higher premiums should they choose to enroll in a Medigap plan.
People who enroll in Medicare before they turn 65 will have another OEP during the six months following their 65th birthday. When this happens, they are allowed to sign up for any Medigap plan offered in their area without having to undergo medical underwriting.
Medigap Premiums in West Virginia
Medigap premiums in West Virginia can be influenced by a number of factors. Which plan you choose, when you enroll, and the company you enroll with can all impact how much you pay for your Medicare Supplement Insurance monthly premium.
The vast majority of West Virginia Medigap insurance companies use an attained-age rating system when it comes to determining monthly premiums. This means that your monthly premium will likely increase as you get older, which is important to consider when choosing a Medigap plan.
Some companies may choose to offer issue-age rated plans. In this case, premiums are determined by the age you were when you enrolled in the policy.
Finally, one West Virginia Medigap insurance company offers plans with community-rated premiums. When it comes to these plans, premiums are typically the same for everyone in your area.
Though Medigap plans’ benefits are federally standardized, companies can decide how they want to set premium rates. For that reason, we always recommend consulting with a knowledgeable insurance agent before deciding on a Medicare Supplement to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in West Virginia
Another coverage option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as Medicare Part C, these plans provide the coverage that you get under Original Medicare on top of additional benefits, which can include drug coverage, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
37.8% of West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. There are 46 Medicare Advantage plans available in West Virginia, and 100% of Medicare beneficiaries in the state have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022.
However, your West Virginia Medicare Advantage options depend on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies from county to county. For example, Medicare enrollees who live in Cabell County can choose between 34 plans in 2022, while residents of smaller counties have fewer options (there are only 25 plans offered in Preston and Raleigh).
When it comes to monthly premiums, what you pay for your Medicare Advantage plan depends on where you live, the plan that you choose, and more. In 2022, the average Part C monthly premium for West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries is $25.53. Plus, all West Virginia Medicare enrollees have access to at least one plan with a $0 monthly premium.
Deciding which is the right Medicare Advantage plan for you is best done with the help of an experienced insurance agent. Here at Medicare Plans Direct we help you make the best Medicare choices possible at no extra cost to you. Reach out today to receive free Medicare advice.
Medicare Part D in West Virginia
Another thing for West Virginia Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage options. In 2022, there are 25 stand-alone Medicare drug plans available to West Virginia Medicare enrollees.
How much you will have to pay for your Part D premium depends on where you live and which insurance company you purchase your plan through. In 2022, the average Part D premium in West Virginia is $52.86.
You can also find drug plans with $0 deductibles, though insurance companies usually charge higher monthly premiums for these plans. In 2022, there are five plans with no deductible available to West Virginia residents, and the lowest-cost stand-alone drug plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $69.00
It is typically a good idea to enroll in prescription drug coverage when you are first eligible if you foresee it being necessary in the future. If you don’t sign up for Medicare Part D when you first qualify and don’t have some other form of creditable drug coverage, you could face late enrollment penalty fees down the line.
Some Medicare Advantage plans include coverage for your prescription drugs, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap policy, you will need a stand-alone prescription drug plan to cover the costs of your medications.
As you can see, it is important to make well-informed decisions when choosing your Medicare coverage. Here at Medicare Plans Direct, we help seniors navigate their Medicare enrollment journeys. Reach out today for a free consultation with a licensed insurance agent.
