subject: California Medicare Supplements Buyers Guide From The Experts [print this page] California Medicare Supplement Insurance can be extremely difficult to shop for as there are hundreds of options depending on where you live and how much you are willing to spend. California is a very unique state to shop for these plans because there are a vast array of competitive Medicare Advantage Plans, a significant number Medicare Supplement Plans offered by multiple California health insurance companies, and a special guaranteed issue period just for California residents. Therefore, it is extremely important to consult with the right experts
to ensure you choose the best Medicare plan possible.
California Medicare Advantage Plans can be very competitive in the marketplace depending on where you live. In highly populated areas such as Los Angeles, HMOs are available at a very low price point and provide decent benefits. However, when purchasing an HMO you must visit doctors and hospitals that participate in their network, and many experts and specialists do not. There are also options available such as Private Fee for Service plans and PPOs for people who live in rural and suburban areas throughout the state of California. Two of our favorite companies offering these types of plans are Anthem Blue Cross and Humana. The Anthem Blue Cross plan is a very good option as their is no monthly premium and great benefits.
California Medicare Supplement Plans are offered by many different insurers including Anthem Blue Cross, AARP, Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Standard Life & Accident, and many others. Several of these companies have A ratings and excellent customer service, which places each company on a very level playing field. However, when taking a close look at each company, it is easy to identify the leaders by how much they charge for their plans, and how much they increase their prices every year. For example, Blue Shield and Anthem Blue Cross have very competitive rates for people turning 65. However, these companies have huge price increases by the time you reach 70.
Companies like Mutual of Omaha and Standard Life & Accident may cost a little more when you turn 65, but the price of these plans will only increase by a few dollars per year. One of our favorite companies is AARP because they have very competitive rates, extra benefits including the silver sneakers program, and they raise their rates by as little as 3% each year, making them a great choice for most people. However, it is important to consult with a broker who carries every company before making a decision as the California Medicare Supplement landscape is constantly changing.
The advantage of buying California Medicare Supplement plans is that you will never be locked in regardless of your health condition or age. This is because California residents have a special guaranteed issue period every year on their birthday, known as the birthday rule. This rule means that you can switch to any insurance company every year on your birthday regardless of your health condition and as long as the plan has the same benefits or less. For example, if you have Anthem Blue Cross Medicare Supplement Plan F and are paying $140 per month, you can switch to Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Plan F and pay only $120 per month regardless of any pre-existing health issues (Prices are Hypothetical and will vary depending on age and gender). Many California residents who are not in excellent health save hundreds of dollars per year by using the birthday rule.
Shopping for California Medicare Supplement plans can be a difficult task, which is why it is extremely important to get unbiased advice from experts such as insurance brokers who carry every company and every plan. These insurance brokers can point you in the right direction and may be able to provide valuable information regarding prescription drug plans, Medicare Supplement Plan changes and insurance company history. Make sure to consider all options including Medicare Advantage Plans to be sure you are making a great decision. For help from the knowledgeable experts at Medicare Supplement Shop, please do not hesitate to call at (800) 807-0177.
