Medicare Plans in Connecticut in 2022
Where you live has a significant impact on what Medicare plans you have available to you. Your state of residence can even influence when you are able to enroll in Medicare plans, as is the case for people living in Connecticut.
In fact, Connecticut offers some unique Medigap enrollment rules which favor beneficiaries. Being aware of your state-specific Medicare rights can help you to take advantage of the best plan options available.
That’s why it’s so important to have a good understanding of the nuances of Medicare in your state. Below we’ll be explaining your options for Medigap insurance, Part D coverage, and Medicare Advantage plans in Connecticut.
How To Apply for Medicare in Connecticut
If you are a Connecticut 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 want to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Part D drug coverage, you should contact a licensed insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out to an experienced insurance here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions addressed.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Connecticut
There are some Medigap enrollment protections in Connecticut that are unique to the state. That’s why it’s always important to stay informed about state-specific Medicare Supplement policies.
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Connecticut will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 159,273 Connecticut residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance in 2019. This figure represented almost a quarter (23.6%) of the total of Medicare enrollees in the state that year, making it a relatively common option among Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries.
The most popular Medigap plans in Connecticut include Plans F, G, and N. These plans offer 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 Connecticut
Connecticut has some of the broadest guaranteed issue rights protections for Medicare beneficiaries who want to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Aside from New York, Connecticut is the only other state that allows beneficiaries to enroll in Medigap year-round without having to undergo any medical underwriting. This even applies to enrollees under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because they suffer from a disability.
Therefore, anyone who qualifies for Medicare in Connecticut can enroll in Medigap at any time. But when it comes to coverage for people under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability, state law only requires insurance companies to offer these individuals Medigap Plans A, B, and/or C (though beneficiaries who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 are no longer allowed to enroll in Plan C).
Though you cannot be denied coverage or charged a higher premium for having a pre-existing condition, Medigap insurers in Connecticut can implement pre-existing condition waiting periods. This means that your insurance company can delay coverage for your condition for up to six months when you first enroll in your Medigap plan if you didn’t have some form of creditable coverage or had a gap in coverage before enrolling in Medicare Supplement Insurance.
You can still enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance in Connecticut during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). However, thanks to the year-round Medigap open enrollment policy in Connecticut, you don’t have to worry about enrolling in Medicare Supplement Insurance when you first become eligible for Medicare.
Medigap Premiums in Connecticut
Connecticut Medicare Supplement Insurance companies must use a community-rating system, meaning that they cannot base premiums on a beneficiary’s age. So while community-rated premiums are not influenced by age or health status, they can still fluctuate depending on where you reside and which insurer you purchase your policy from.
Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries could choose between 14 Medigap insurance companies in 2021. However, we always recommend consulting with a Medicare expert before deciding on a Medicare Supplement to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Connecticut
Another coverage option for people looking for more benefits than those offered by Original Medicare is Medicare Advantage. Also known as 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.
Medicare Advantage participation in Connecticut is quite popular, and 47.7% of Medicare beneficiaries in the state were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021.
There are 57 Medicare Advantage plans available in Connecticut in 2022. This is up from 47 plans in 2021, representing a 21.3% increase in plan availability.
In 2022, 100% of Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan. Which Medicare Advantage plans you have available to you depends on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies from county to county. However, Medicare beneficiaries in any given county in Connecticut will have anywhere between 42 and 50 plans to choose from in 2022.
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 Connecticut enrollees is $19.95. Plus, all Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries 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 Connecticut
Another thing for Connecticut Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage options. In 2022, there are 21 stand-alone prescription drug plans available to Connecticut Medicare enrollees.
How much you will have to pay for your Part D premium will depend on where you live and which insurance company you purchase your plan through. The average Part D premium in Connecticut in 2022 is $49.63.
You can also find drug plans with $0 deductibles, though these plans usually come with higher monthly premiums. In 2022, there are four plans with no deductible available to Connecticut residents, and the most affordable stand-alone Medicare Part D drug plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $69.
It is usually 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 are first eligible and don’t have some other form of creditable drug coverage, you could face late enrollment penalty fees later on.
You can get coverage for your prescription drugs through some Medicare Advantage plan, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap plan, you will need a stand-alone prescription drug plan to cover your prescription medication costs.
As you can see, your Medicare coverage options depend on a number of factors, one of the most important ones being where you live. That’s where we come in. Our expertise can help you to make the best possible Medicare decisions, so reach out today to speak with a licensed insurance agent, at no cost to you.
