Medicare Plans in Delaware in 2022
Signing up for Medicare can be confusing, especially when taking into account all of the variables that can impact your enrollment. Plan availability depends on so many factors, one of the most important being where you live.
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 Delaware.
How To Apply for Medicare in Delaware
If you are a Delaware 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, we recommend contacting an experienced insurance agent. They can walk you through the process and help you to find the right plan for you.
Reach out today to speak with a licensed insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Delaware
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Delaware will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 65,349 Delaware residents enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance plans in 2019. This figure represented almost a third (31.7%) of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year.
The most popular Medigap plans in Delaware 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 Delaware
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Delaware, the best time to do so is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP).
This occurs when you first become eligible for Medicare and enroll in 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.
In Delaware, only the federal minimum standard guaranteed issue rights are granted to Medicare beneficiaries. This can include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area or losing your employer coverage.
You should be aware that Medigap insurers in Delaware 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.
These waiting periods apply to conditions that are diagnosed or treated (or for which treatment was recommended) during the six months before your policy comes into effect. Having prior creditable coverage can alleviate this coverage restriction and shorten your waiting period.
Medigap in Delaware for Disability Enrollees
Delaware beneficiaries under the age of 65 who qualify for Medicare because of a disability are guaranteed the right to enroll in any Medicare Supplement plan they would like. This is not mandated under federal Medigap regulations, but the state enacted a law in 2013 to offer this protection. However, insurance companies are permitted to charge these individuals higher premiums than they would charge enrollees aged 65 and older.
Additionally, insurance companies in Delaware must establish two separate rating pools for this group of enrollees: one for beneficiaries who qualify because of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) and another that applies to beneficiaries who suffer from any other qualifying condition/disability.
So what you pay as a Delaware Medigap enrollee under the age of 65 depends on a number of factors, including the reason that you qualify for Medicare in the first place. Unfortunately for beneficiaries who suffer from ESRD, premiums can be astronomically high. As of 2019, some plans for ESRD beneficiaries came with annual premiums of over $20,000. Premiums for all other disability beneficiaries under the age of 65 were a fraction of that price.
People who qualify for Medicare before they turn 65 can sign up for Medigap insurance during the first six months that they are enrolled in Medicare Part B. These individuals 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 Delaware
In 2021, there were 43 insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance in Delaware. State law allows each one to decide how they set monthly premiums, and the majority of them offer attained-age rated policies.
With attained-age rated policies, your monthly premium will likely increase as you get older, which is important to consider when choosing a Medigap plan.
Other 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.
And as of 2019, one company offered plans with community-rated premiums. When it comes to these plans, premium rates are typically the same for everyone in your area.
Though Medigap plans’ benefits are federally standardized, premium rates can vary significantly between insurance companies. For that reason, we always recommend consulting with a licensed insurance agent before deciding on a Medicare Supplement policy to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Delaware
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 Original Medicare benefits along with additional benefits, which can include coverage for prescription drugs, hearing coverage, vision coverage, dental coverage, and more.
Only 22.5% of Delaware Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. In 2022, there are 28 Medicare Advantage plans available in Delaware. This is up from 23 plans in 2021.
All Delaware Medicare beneficiaries have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022. However, your Delaware Medicare Advantage plan options will depend on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies from county to county.
Delaware Medicare enrollees who live in New Castle County have access to all 28 Medicare Advantage plans offered in the state in 2022. Residents of Kent County and Sussex County have 26 plans available to them.
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 in Delaware is $11.92. Plus, all Medicare enrollees in the state 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 Delaware
Another thing for Delaware Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Medicare prescription drug plan options. In 2022, there are 21 stand-alone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans available to Delaware 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 the CMS region that encompasses Delaware, DC, and Maryland is $42.53. The lowest monthly premium for a stand-alone drug plan in Delaware is $7.10.
You can also find drug plans with $0 deductibles, though insurance companies usually charge higher monthly premiums for these plans. In 2022, there are three no-deductible plans available to Delaware residents, and the lowest-cost stand-alone drug plan with a $0 deductible has a monthly premium of $66.50.
It is typically a good idea to enroll in Medicare 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 prescription drug coverage, but if you are enrolled in Original Medicare and/or a Medigap policy, you will need a stand-alone drug plan to cover your prescription medication costs.
As you can see, it is important to understand the ins and outs of Medicare coverage when choosing a plan. Here at Medicare Plans Direct, we help seniors find the right Medicare plan for them. Reach out today for a free consultation with one of our experienced insurance agents.
