Medicare Supplement plans in Massachusetts

Medicare Supplement plans are a great way to keep your monthly costs down and allow you to see any doctor that accepts Medicare, nationwide. Massachusetts is one of 3 states (along with MN, WI) that has their own, unique Medicare Supplement plan options. If you want to learn more about the most common supplement plans we see in the rest of the U.S. you can read our blog post on that by clicking here. 

What is Medicare Supplement? Medicare Supplement plans are plans sold by private insurance companies. A supplement plan acts as secondary coverage to your Original Medicare Part A (Hospital) and Medicare Part B (Outpatient) coverage to cover some or all of the costs Medicare doesn’t cover. 

Some of the costs a Supplement plan might cover include:

• Part A Deductible - $1484 (2021)

• Part B Deductible - $203 (2021)

• Part B Co-Insurance - 20%

Today we’re going to take a look at the 3 Medicare Supplement plans available to people living in Massachusetts. One important thing to note is that in Massachusetts Medicare Supplement plans have a year round “open enrollment.” By law, Massachusetts does not allow medical underwriting to determine eligibility for health insurance. What does this mean? It means that at any point throughout the year you can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan with no limitations based on pre-existing conditions. 

With that out of the way, let's jump in! Massachusetts has 3 Medicare Supplement plans that are available to purchase by all Medicare eligible beneficiaries. These plans are the Supplement 1, Supplement 1A, and Core Plan. Each one has its own unique benefits but, like all supplement plans, they allow you to see any doctor, nationwide, as long as they accept Medicare. 

Supplement 1 - “The Cadillac Plan” $$$

The Supplement 1 plan is the highest level Supplement plan you can purchase in Massachusetts. This plan is identical to a Plan F in other states. The Supplement 1 plan will cover 100% of the Medicare Part A and Part B out of pocket costs. 

Due to this plan's higher level of coverage you do pay a higher monthly cost for the plan itself. It also applies to the Medicare MACRA ruling. This means that if you turned 65 after Jan 1, 2020 you cannot purchase a Supplement 1 Plan. If you turned 65 before Jan 1, 2020 you can still purchase this plan or keep it if you already had it.

Supp 1 Table.jpg

Supp 1 Table.jpg

Supplement 1A - “Supplement 1 Replacement” $$

The Supplement 1A plan is a newer plan that was created as a response to the MACRA ruling mentioned above. Like the Supplement 1 Plan, the 1A covers 100% of your inpatient Part A costs. For outpatient, you still pay the $203 annual deductible but the plan then picks up the 20% co-insurance. The Supplement 1A is equivalent to a Plan G in other states. 

This plan is a lower monthly cost plan than the Supplement 1. It tends to be more competitive in total annual spending due to the lower monthly price. You typically end up saving annually even though you have to pay the $203 Part B deductible. 

Supp1A Table.jpg

Supp1A Table.jpg

Supplement Core - “The Economical Supplement” $

The Core plan in Massachusetts is a more basic supplement plan. With the Core plan, you’re still responsible to pay the $1484 Part A deductible for inpatient hospital stays. For outpatient you still pay the $203 Part B annual deductible. The Core plan then picks up the 20% Part B coinsurance.

Since this plan doesn’t cover quite as much of the out of pocket costs the monthly price is the lowest of the 3 available supplement plans. 

SuppCore Table.jpg

SuppCore Table.jpg

Medicare Supplement plans are a great option for folks who want to reduce out of pocket spending and see Medicare providers without restriction. With Massachusetts’ generous rolling open enrollment for Medicare Supplement plans it really gives the individual a lot of choice and freedom in choosing the right coverage when they need it. If you have questions or want to explore these options for yourself, we’d love to help. Please call us at 401-404-7373 or email Help@doctorschoiceusa.com to speak to a Medicare expert today. Love what we do? Refer and friend or loved one!