Medicare Plans in Hawaii in 2022
As you near your Medicare enrollment age, it is important for you to understand your coverage options. This blog post will explore what Medicare plans are available in Hawaii in 2022 and what they entail.
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 Hawaii.
How To Apply for Medicare in Hawaii
If you are a Hawaii 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 that 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 an experienced insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct today to have all of your Medicare-related questions answered.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Hawaii
Which Medigap plans are available to you in Hawaii will depend on a number of factors, such as which insurance company you enroll with and where you reside.
There were 12,083 Hawaiians enrolled in Medicare Supplement Insurance in 2019. This figure represented only 4% of all Medicare enrollees in the state that year. A significantly higher percentage of Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The most popular Medigap plans in Hawaii include Plans F 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 Hawaii
If you are interested in enrolling in Medigap insurance in Hawaii, 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.
Examples of guaranteed issue rights in Hawaii include moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area or losing your employer coverage.
Medigap in Hawaii for Disability Enrollees
Hawaii 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 Hawaii state law ensures this protection.
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. Additionally, insurance companies in Hawaii cannot charge these individuals more than they would charge beneficiaries aged 65 and over. This protection is not found in many other states.
Medigap Premiums in Hawaii
As of October 2020, there were 12 companies that offered Medicare Supplement Insurance in Hawaii and 2 companies that offered group plans. State law allows each one to decide how they set monthly premiums, and the majority of them use an attained-age rating system.
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 offer issue-age rated plans. In this case, premiums are determined by the age you were when you enrolled in the policy.
Finally, one company offers plans with community-rated premiums in 2022. When it comes to these plans, premiums 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 Medicare expert before deciding on a Medicare Supplement policy to ensure that you are getting the best value plan for you.
Medicare Advantage Plans in Hawaii
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.
Almost half (49.3%) of Hawaii Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. There are 33 Medicare Advantage plans available in Hawaii in 2022.
100% of Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii have access to at least one Medicare Advantage plan in 2022. However, which Medicare Advantage plans you have available to you depends on where exactly you reside, as plan availability varies from county to county.
For example, Medicare enrollees who live in Kalawao County can only choose between 7 plans in 2022, while Honolulu County residents have 24 plan options 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 for Hawaii Medicare beneficiaries is $54.47. Plus, all Hawaii 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 Hawaii
Another thing for Hawaii Medicare beneficiaries to keep in mind is their Part D prescription drug coverage options. In 2022, there are 20 stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plans available to Hawaii 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 Hawaii is $42.97.
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 $0 deductible plans available to Hawaiians, and the lowest-cost stand-alone prescription drug plan with no deductible has a monthly premium of $69.
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 come with coverage for your prescription drugs, 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 make well-informed decisions when choosing your Medicare coverage. Here at Medicare Plans Direct, we can help you find the right Medicare plan for you, saving you time and money. Reach out today for a free consultation with a licensed insurance agent.
