With no limit to annual out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare, many Nevadans rely on supplemental coverage. Medicare Supplement plans in Nevada help pay some – or even all – of these costs.

What is Medigap in Nevada?

If you have Original Medicare (Part A, hospital insurance, and Part B, medical insurance), you can get help paying your out-of-pocket costs with a Medicare Supplement plan.

More commonly known as Medigap, these plans help cover a variety of healthcare costs. The plans are standardized, which means that Plan A provides the same coverage no matter where you buy it. The same is true for Plan B, Plan D, etc. At a minimum, all Medigap plans cover your Part A coinsurance and give you an extra 365 lifetime reserve days for hospital stays.

Who qualifies for Medicare Supplement Insurance in Nevada?

Once you enroll in Original Medicare and are over age 65, you qualify for Medicare Supplement Insurance in Nevada.

Currently, the Medicare program only requires Medigap insurers to provide coverage to beneficiaries who are at least 65 years old. Most states have voted to expand this coverage to people who are not yet 65 but qualify for Medicare due to a disability. Nevada, however, is not one of them. In addition, there is no state-run program for high-risk Medicare beneficiaries.

What does Medigap cover?

Medigap plans only pay for services that are covered by Original Medicare. The level of coverage varies according to the plan you choose. The following table is provided to help you compare Medicare Supplement plan benefits.

There is no Supplement plan that includes prescription drug coverage. These benefits are available via Medicare Part D.

Medigap Plan C and Medigap Plan F in Nevada

As of 2020, federal law prohibits Medicare Supplement plans from covering the Medicare Part B deductible. If you did not qualify for Medigap BEFORE January 1, 2020, you may not sign up for Medigap Plan C or Medigap Plan F.

Those who were eligible for Medigap before 2020 may join any plan, including C and F. However, that does not mean that they should. Historically, once a Supplement plan is no longer available, premiums begin to rise.

With the exception of the Part B deductible, Medigap Plan D and Medigap Plan G offer the same coverage as Plans C and F, respectively.

When is the best time to join a Medicare Supplement plan in Nevada?

The best time to enroll in a Nevada Medigap plan is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This begins the first day you are both enrolled in Original Medicare and are age 65 or older.

Your Medigap OEP is one of the few times you have a guaranteed issue right, which means your application will not go through medical underwriting. This is the process by which insurance companies determine whether to provide coverage and what your premium will be. When you have guaranteed issue rights, you cannot be denied a Medigap policy nor charged more for it, even if you have preexisting medical conditions.

How to choose a Medigap plan in Nevada

When deciding how much coverage you need, keep in mind that, unless you have a guaranteed issue right, your Medigap application will go through medical underwriting, even if you already have a Supplement plan. It's a good idea to buy the Medigap plan that you think will serve you best long-term.

Costs vary according to the provider you choose, so compare these carefully. Plans with an age-based premium will always cost more in the long run than those that use community rating.

Comparing Medigap plans in Nevada is easy with our Find a Plan tool. Just enter your zip code to see Medicare plan options in your area.