by Russell Noga | Updated October 2nd, 2024
If you’re about to turn 65 and you’re planning on enrolling in Original Medicare, if you’re considering purchasing Medicare Supplement Insurance to help offset the out-of-pocket expenses for your healthcare, there are a lot of factors to consider and decisions to make.
Of those factors and decisions, the insurance company you’ll choose as your Medicare Supplement provider is, without a doubt, one of the most important.
There are a lot of companies that sell Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, and if you reside in New York State, Emblem Health is one of the top providers.
Is Emblem Health the right option for you? To help you make the most informed decision, we’ve put together this guide that provides an overview of Emblem Health Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Explained
Medicare Supplement Insurance is private health insurance that is designed to supplement Original Medicare. In other words, it doesn’t replace Original Medicare but rather, it fills in the gaps by covering the expenses that aren’t covered by Original Medicare.
Original Medicare consists of two separate parts: Part A and Part B. Part A covers costs that are related to medical care and services you’d receive on an inpatient basis (in a hospital or hospice, for example), and Part B covers costs that are related to medical care and services you’d receive on an outpatient basis (doctor’s appointments, preventative care, and durable medical equipment, for instance).
Part A and Part B cover 80 percent of your health insurance; you’re responsible for the remaining 20 percent. Given the rising cost of healthcare, those out-of-pocket expenses can be hefty and for many, can lead to financial hardship.
Since Medicare Supplement Insurance fills in the gaps in Medicare coverage, it offsets the out-of-pocket expenses, making it more affordable and manageable.
There are 10 Medicare Supplement Plans (Plans A through N), and each lettered plan covers different expenses that aren’t covered by Original Medicare. These plans are sold by private health insurance companies, like Emblem Health.
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About Emblem Health
Emblem Health is one of the largest nonprofit health plans in the United States. The multi-billion company is located headquartered in New York City and services more than 3 million members. It was created in 2006 when Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York (HIP) merged. Prior to merging, both companies operated independently; GHI had been operational since 1937 and HIP had been operational since 1947.
What Benefits Do Emblem Health Medicare Supplement Plans Offer?
The specific benefits that Emblem Health Medicare Supplement plans offer vary and depend on the policy you purchase. With that said, all Emblem Health Medicare Supplement plans offer the standard benefits that Medigap policies are required to provide, as per the federal government. These benefits include:
- Part A hospital care coinsurance expenses, as well as an extra 365 days of coverage after your Part A benefits have been used up
- Part B coinsurance or copayments
- Hospice care coinsurance
- First three pints of blood for medically-necessary procedures
Some Emblem Health Medicare Supplement Insurance plans offer additional benefits, as well, such as:
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Emergency health care while traveling outside of the United States
Emblem Health Medicare Supplement plans are only available to residents of New York State who do not receive health benefits from Medicaid or a private health insurance plan. In order to be eligible for Medicare Supplement Insurance through Emblem Health, you must be enrolled in both parts of Original Medicare.
What Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans Does Emblem Health Offer
Emblem Health offers eight of the 10 Medigap plans. All of the plans that the insurer provides offer different benefits, and the prices vary from plan to plan. The following is an overview of the different Medigap plans that Emblem Health offers and the benefits each plan provides:
- Medigap Plan A. Offers the most basic benefits, nothing more.
- Medigap Plan B. Offers the same coverage as Plan A, as well as the Part A deductible.
- Medigap Plan C. This plan offers more comprehensive coverage, as it includes all the benefits that Plan B offers, as well as the Part B deductible, emergency medical care while traveling abroad, and skilled nursing facility care.
- Medigap Plan F. The most inclusive Medigap policy, Plan F includes everything Plan covers, as well as the Part B deductible and Part B excess charges. Individuals who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, are not able to purchase this plan, due to changes in Medicare coverage.
- Medigap Plan G. This plan is considered a replacement for Plan F, as it offers the same benefits, except for the Part B deductible. All beneficiaries can purchase this plan, regardless of when they became eligible for Medicare. The Part B deductible cost $226 in 2023.
- Medigap Plan N. The monthly premiums for Plan N are lower; however, you’ll have to cover the cost of Part B copays. For doctor visits, copays can cost up to $20, and for emergency room visits, copays can cost up to $50. This is a good option for individuals who are in good health and don’t require a lot of medical care.
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How Much Does Emblem Health Medicare Supplement Insurance Cost?
The cost of Medicare Supplement Insurance from Emblem Health varies and depends on several factors. These factors include:
- What county or region or New York State you reside in
- Your age
- When you apply for coverage
- Your health
- The plan
To ensure the lowest rates and coverage, the ideal time to enroll in Emblem Health Medicare Supplement Insurance for 2024 is during the Medigap Open Enrollment period.
During this 6 month period, which starts on the first day of the month you turn 65, you are guaranteed coverage and your medical history or current health status cannot be taken into consideration when your application is being assessed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Emblem Health Medicare Supplement?
Contact Us for a Free Consultation on Medigap Plans
If you have questions about Medicare Supplement plans, call our team at 1-888-891-0229. We offer professional advice on Medigap policies. Our fully licensed agents offer free consultations to give you all the information you need about Medigap. If you want someone to call you back, leave your details on our contact form, and we’ll get a Medigap expert to reach out to you.
Russell Noga is the CEO and Medicare editor of Medisupps.com. His 15 years of experience in the Medicare insurance market includes being a licensed Medicare insurance broker in all 50 states. He is frequently featured as a featured as a keynote Medicare event speaker, has authored hundreds of Medicare content pages, and hosts the very popular Medisupps.com Medicare Youtube channel. His expertise includes Medicare, Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D.