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Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee


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Reviewed by: Kelly Blackwell, Certified Senior Advisor®
Updated: December 22, 2022

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Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®
Kelly Blackwell
Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®

Kelly Blackwell is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®. She has been a healthcare professional for over 30 years, with experience working as a bedside nurse and as a Clinical Manager. She has a passion for educating, assisting and advising seniors throughout the healthcare process.

What Are Medigap Plans?

Medigap plans are Medicare Supplement Insurance offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies to help cover cost sharing requirements of Original Medicare Parts A and B.

While Medicare pays for a large percentage of the health care services and supplies you may need, you are still responsible for a portion of the costs in the form of deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medigap policies help with these costs and sometimes offer more coverage for excess charges and foreign travel health emergencies.

Medigap plans are standardized by Medicare and regulated by state laws and insurance commissioners. You pay a monthly premium for Medigap. Costs and availability of Medigap plans vary depending on several factors including your age and gender, the insurer, and your state of residence.

Learn about Medigap in Tennessee so you can determine which plan best meets your needs.

 

  • Plans F and G are the most popular and comprehensive Medigap plan types in Tennessee. Plan F is no longer available to people who are eligible for Medicare after December 31, 2019.
  • Monthly premiums for Plan G for a 65 year old female who doesn’t use tobacco range from $89 to $355. 
  • Since 2011, Tennessee has ensured that Medigap plans are available to disabled Medicare beneficiaries under age 65, however monthly premiums can be much higher.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee

Compare ratings of some of Tennessee’s Medigap providers:
Insurance company A.M. Best rating NAIC complaint index BBB rating Consumer Affairs
Aetna A+ Above average A+ 2.4/5
Blue Cross Blue Shield A Above average F 1.2/5
Cigna A Below average No rating 3/5
UnitedHealthcare A- Below average A+ 2.1/5

What Medicare Supplement Plans Cover

Medigap policies serve as your secondary source of insurance after Medicare pays. Medigap fills in the “gaps” between what Medicare pays for covered services and what you are charged. Some plans offer extended coverage for Part B excess charges and foreign travel emergency costs.

There are 10 standardized Medigap plans that are regulated by federal and state governments. Two of the ten plans (F and G) are the most comprehensive plans and also offer high-deductible versions. All plans are not available in all states.

Medigap policies may include the following benefits:

  • Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up
  • Part B coinsurance or copayment
  • The first three pints of blood
  • Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
  • Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
  • Part A deductible
  • Part B deductible (only certain plans for people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020)
  • Part B excess charges
  • Foreign travel emergency services
  • Out-of-pocket limits

Do You Need a Medicare Supplement in Tennessee?

Should you consider a Medicare supplement?
Yes, if you:
  • Rely on Original Medicare for your health care coverage. There is no cap on what you may pay for Part A and Part B services, so if you need much healthcare, your out-of-pocket costs for deductibles, copays, and coinsurances may be high and unpredictable. A Medigap plan offsets your portion of costs.
  • Want freedom of choice of providers because you can see any Medicare provider in the U.S.
  • Travel abroad and want coverage for emergency care.
  • Anticipate the need for frequent healthcare now or in the future.
  • Are in your initial open enrollment period and are guaranteed the opportunity to join a plan regardless of your health condition.
  • Can afford the monthly premiums
  • Don’t want a Medicare Advantage Plan
 No, if you:
  • Want a Medicare Advantage Plan with zero or low monthly premiums
  • Don’t mind following the rules and restrictions of a Medicare Advantage Plan to get your healthcare services and drugs.
  • Don’t want to purchase a standalone Part D prescription drug plan
  • Missed your open enrollment period, and the policy you want is not available or the premium cost is too high.
  • Have Medicaid which will pay for most of your out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare
  • Don’t anticipate the need for frequent healthcare now or in the future
  • Have other creditable coverage and don’t need Medicare Part B yet. When you sign up for Part B, your Medigap six-month open enrollment period will start

What Medigap Plans Cost in Tennessee

Expect to pay about $55 to $355 each month for a Medigap plan A, G, or N in Tennessee if you enroll during your open enrollment period. Premiums will vary depending on your insurer and how your premium is rated.

Medigap policies can be rated in three ways:

  • Community rated (or no age-rated): Your premium isn’t based on your age and may only increase due to inflation or other factors. Everyone, regardless of age, is charged the same premium.
  • Issue-age rated (or entry age-rated): Your premium is based on your age when you buy the policy and won’t increase as you grow older. Your premium may only increase due to inflation or other factors.
  • Attained-age-rated: Your premium is based on your age and can increase as you grow older and due to inflation and other factors.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage Plans

Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans are very different. You are eligible for either type of plan when you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and B, but you cannot have both at the same time. Both Medigap and Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by Medicare-approved private insurance companies. You can only choose to join plans that are available in your area.

Compare your options:

Plan type Medigap Medicare Advantage
What it is Medigap is insurance designed to supplement Original Medicare and helps cover your out-of-pocket expenses, like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance you incur when you access your Medicare services. You pay a monthly premium for Medigap. Medigap plans are standardized across the U.S. Benefits, costs, and availability of plans vary depending on your age, gender, tobacco use, and state of residence. Medicare Advantage Plans, on the other hand, are an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits. These plans must offer all the services Original Medicare does, and frequently add on prescription drug coverage and other services, such as hearing, vision, and dental.
What it covers Covers:
  • Coinsurance
  • Copayments
  • Deductibles
  • Excess Part B charges (some plans)
  • Foreign travel emergency costs (some plans)
 Covers:
  • All Original Medicare services (Part A hospital and Part B medical insurance)
  • Often, Part D prescription drug coverage
  • May offer additional services, including dental, vision, and auditory care
What it works with
  • Original Medicare
  • Part D prescription drug coverage
  • Replaces Original Medicare
  • Network of providers determined by insurer
  • Cannot typically buy separate Part D prescription drug coverage
When it’s best If you frequently access your Part A and B benefits, want your out-of-pocket expenses covered, and want to choose your providers. If you want all of your health and drug coverage through one plan, want extra benefits, and are willing to follow your plan’s rules and network restrictions.

Types of Medigap Plans in Tennessee

Every standardized type of Medigap plan is offered in Tennessee, but Plans F and G offer the most comprehensive coverage and are the most popular. Plans F and G also come in a high-deductible version. Here are some highlights and difference among some of the plans:

Plan F
  • Most comprehensive
  • Covers the Part B deductible
  • Only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 2020
 Plan G
  • Most comprehensive for newer beneficiaries
  • Pays for excess Part B charges so you can see any Medicare provider even if they charge more than the Medicare-approved amount
Plan K
  • One of two plans that have an out-of-pocket limit. After you reach the limit and pay your Part B deductible, your plans pays 100%
 Plan L
  • Like Plan K, but has a lower out-of-pocket limit and monthly premiums are higher
Plan N
  • Growing in popularity, Plan N has lower premiums but charges a copay for doctor and emergency room visits

Compare Medicare Supplement Options

Medigap Benefits Plan A Plan B Plan C Plan D Plan F* Plan G* Plan
K		 Plan
L		 Plan M Plan N
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Part B coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes***
Blood (first 3 pints) Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A deductible No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% 50% Yes
Part B deductible No No Yes No Yes No No No No No
Part B excess charge No No No No Yes Yes No No No No
Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) No No 80% 80% 80% 80% No No 80% 80%
Out-of-pocket limit** N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A $6,620 in 2022 $3,310 in 2022 N/A N/A

* Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. With this option, you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of$2,700 in 2023 before your policy pays anything. (Plans C and F aren’t available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.)

** For Plans K and L, after you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

*** Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.

What’s the most popular Tennessee Medigap plan in 2023?

Plan F, because it pays the annual Part B deductible and is the most comprehensive plan available, is the most popular plan. However, because Plan F is only available to Medicare beneficiaries who were eligible before January 2020, Plan G is gaining in popularity. Plan G offers comprehensive coverage, except for the Part B deductible, and is widely available from most insurers.

When to Sign Up for Medicare Supplement Plans in Tennessee

In general, you will get the best price for Medicare Supplement Insurance if you purchase a plan as soon as you are eligible for Medicare and enrolled in Parts A and B.

Medigap Open Enrollment starts on the first day of the month that you turn 65 and are enrolled in both Parts A and B and lasts for six months. An insurance company is not allowed to use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application or change the price during this time.

To enroll in a Medigap Plan, contact the insurance company to make sure you are in your open enrollment period or have guaranteed issue rights. Complete the application and determine when you want your policy to start.

There are certain situations which may give you guaranteed issue rights to purchase a Medigap policy, regardless of your health conditions or any preexisting health conditions.

These include:

  • Moving out of the coverage area while in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare SELECT Plan
  • Your existing Medicare Advantage Plan leaving Medicare coverage
  • Your other insurance plan outside of Medicare is ending
  • You are within your trial right period
  • Your plan coverage ends through no fault of your own

How to Choose a Medigap Plan in Tennessee

Monthly premium This is in addition to your Part B monthly premium, so it affects your monthly cash flow. You pay whether or not you access your benefits. Your premium amount is determined based on the type of plan you get, your age, gender, tobacco use, and state of residence.
Benefits Basic coverage for Part A copays and coinsurance and at least a portion of Part B copays and coinsurance, three pints of blood, and hospice care are offered with every type of plan. Other benefits may not be included, so check to see which benefits are most important to you.
Insurance provider Look at ratings and past experience, either your own or other consumers, with the carrier you are considering. Contact a company representative to get an idea of their customer service and responsiveness.
Extra discounts Some plans and insurers offer added perks or discounts once you become a member. You may have access to discounted hearing aid providers or eyeglass suppliers, for instance.

Medicare Supplement Resources in Tennessee

If you’re feeling confused by the multitude of plan options available, getting in touch with trained, unbiased counselors can be a good first step. Tennessee is home to several organizations that can help you make an informed decision.

Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability Contact information: Website | (615) 741-2056 The Tennessee Commission on Aging and Disability advocates for senior residents as well as for those with disabilities. Programs offerings include caregiver support, nutrition, and home and community-based services, all aimed at improving the quality of life for aging Tennesseans.
AgeWell Middle Tennessee Contact information: Website | (615) 353-4235 AgeWell Middle Tennessee is a community resource for seniors. Its mission includes identifying unmet needs, offering caregiver support, and educating the public about elder abuse and scams that target seniors.
The Area Agency on Aging and Disability Contact information: Website | (731) 668-7112 The Area Agency on Aging and Disability is a network of services for older residents, their caregivers, and people with disabilities. The Agency helps fund programs and initiatives that help ensure the best quality of life possible.

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