If you’re trying to find the best California Medicare Supplement plans, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to compare plans and find the best value when shopping for California Medigap plans.
Best Medigap plans in California
Shopping for the best plan starts with understanding how plans work. We mentioned that Medicare Supplements are standardized plans, but what does that actually mean?
When you purchase a particular Medicare Supplement Plan, like Plan G, it will provide you the same exact coverage no matter which company you choose. Your Medicare coverage is the same no matter the company. It’s the same if it’s Blue Cross Blue Shield, Mutual of Omaha, Cigna or any other Medigap company. That’s right. It’s the LAW!
How Does California’s Medigap Birthday Rule Work?
California’s Medigap birthday rule is a state law that allows you to change your Medigap plan during your birthday month. This means that if you’re not happy with your current plan, you can switch to a new one. The birthday rule applies to all plans.
California Medicare beneficiaries can change their plan each year. It takes effect 30 days before and ends 60 days after your birthday. During this time, you will not be denied a plan due to health risks. You must be currently enrolled in a California Medigap plan if you want use your birthday rule. You will be able to keep your same plan letter, but change insurers or change plan letters with lesser benefits. The birthday rule allows residents who are eligible for Medicare to enroll in a Medigap plan during their initial enrollment period, which begins on the first day of the month that they turn 65 years old. Residents can also enroll in a Medigap plan during the open enrollment period, which begins on October 15th each year.
California Birthday Rule Example
Let’s say you have a Plan G from “Company XYZ”.
- You can move from Company XYZ to Company ABC’S Plan G if they have a lower premium.
- You could also change from Medigap Plan G to Plan N. That’s because Medicare Supplement Plan N has a lesser benefit compared to G.
- However, you couldn’t switch from Plan G to Plan F because that’s an INCREASE in benefits.
Your plan’s effective date will be after your birthday. The new premium for your plan will reflect your new age. The birthday rule gives California beneficiaries an excellent opportunity to shop their plans annually. Even if you have health conditions that may prevent you from qualifying from “traditional underwriting.” California’s Medigap Birthday Rule provides you a guaranteed issue opportunity each year on your birthday to save money.
How much does a Medicare Supplement plan in California cost?
How much will you pay for your California Medicare supplement insurance? It will depend on a variety of factors such as where you live, your age, gender and if you use tobacco. The monthly premium of your plan is usually lower the younger you are.
During your Medigap open enrollment period, you can choose any plan available to you. Shopping Medicare plans is key to saving money. Remember, you’re not getting more benefits by paying more.
So don’t overpay!
Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans
It is important to know that even though the coverage for these plans are the same, the rates are not. You need to compare the same plan letters from company to company. For example, compare Plan F from multiple insurers. Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan prices are different when comparing private insurance companies.The Medigap lettered plans are standardized. This is a safety net put in place by CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to protect you. Insurers, by law, can’t make any changes to standardized Medigap benefits. CMS, however, does not regulate premiums. Insurance carriers adjust rates based on inflation, overhead, medical pay outs, marketing, etc. Plans with ABC insurance company can be very different from XYZ insurance company.California premiums can have a difference of $75 from the lowest to the highest priced plan. *Example: Male, age 65 in zip code 92551:
- The lowest Plan F premium is $148.00.
- The most expensive is $223.00.
How Medigap in California Works
Think of these Medigap policies like buying a Snickers bar. The candy bar is the same at every convenient store. However, it has different prices depending on where you buy it. You choose to buy the least expensive Snickers bar because it’s the same regardless of which store you get it from. This is how shopping for Medigap works. If you want to buy Plan M, shop your Plan M with all the companies in your Zip Code. If you are shopping for a different plan letter, shop that plan letter and compare rates.
California Medicare Supplement Benefits
Plan letter benefits are the exact same no matter what company you choose. This applies to all plan letters. You do not get more benefits by selecting a big or small Medigap insurance company.Price comparison shopping is important. You must make sure that you are not spending more than you have to. Plans with the same letter have the exact same coverage. Here is a Plan letter comparison. Please take a moment and compare benefits. You may also want to read the Medigap Plan F or Plan G comparison article. It may help you understand their differences.
Original Medicare Coverage with Medigap
Original Medicare is made up of two parts called Medicare Part A and Part B. Your hospital insurance is with Part A and Medicare Part B covers your medical insurance. Original Medicare covers you for approximately 80% of your Part B doctor visits. That’s why people enroll in Medicare Supplement. These plans help fill in the gaps of Original Medicare.
Enroll in Medicare Supplement
Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan is a great way to help cover your health care costs. If you are 65 or older, you may be eligible for Medicare Supplement coverage. There are many different plans available, so you can choose the one that meets your needs. We’re here to help you enroll in a Medigap plan and answer all your questions. Our service is 100% free and you’ll only speak with an independent licensed insurance agent! If you’re new to Medicare, we’d be happy to provide you the Medicare information you need such as:
- Differences between plans F and G
- How to change your Medigap plan
- How to get enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
- Information on Medicare Part D plans
- Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment period
- and More!
Medigap plans available are statewide and in the California cities listed below. Understand that your Medigap benefits are based on the Plan letter. Plan letter benefits are the same no matter where you live. This is not always the case with Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD). MAPD plans offer benefits, copays and deductibles that may be different based on your city or location. Please click on this link if you’re looking for additional Medicare Supplement states.
California Medigap Locations
Acton Adelanto Agoura Hills Alameda Alamo Albany Alhambra Aliso Viejo Almanor Alondra Park Alpaugh Alpine Alpine Village Altadena Alta Sierra Alturas Alum Rock Amador City American Canyon Amesti Anaheim Anderson Angels City Angwin Antioch Apple Valley Aptos Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley Arbuckle Arcadia Arcata Arden-Arcade Armona Arnold Aromas Arroyo Grande Artesia Arvin Ashland Atascadero Atherton Atwater Auberry Auburn August Avalon Avenal Avery Avocado Heights Azusa Bakersfield Baldwin Park Banning Barstow Bay Point Bayview Bayview-Montalvin Baywood-Los Osos Beale AFB Bear Valley Bear Valley Springs Beaumont Beckwourth Belden Bell Bellflower Bell Gardens Belmont Belvedere Benicia Ben Lomond Berkeley Bermuda Dunes Bertsch-Oceanview Bethel Island Beverly Hills Big Bear City Big Bear Lake Big Bend Biggs Big Pine Big River Biola Bishop Blackhawk-Camino Tassajara Black Point-Green Point Blairsden Bloomington Blue Lake Bluewater Blythe Bodega Bay Bodfish Bolinas Bombay Beach Bonadelle Ranchos-Madera Ranchos Bonita Bonsall Bootjack Boron Boronda Borrego Springs Bostonia Boulder Creek Bowles Boyes Hot Springs Bradbury Bradley Brawley Brea Brentwood Bret Harte Brisbane Broadmoor Bucks Lake Buellton Buena Park Buena Vista Burbank Burbank Burlingame Burney Buttonwillow Byron Bystrom Cabazon Calabasas Calexico California City Calimesa Calipatria Calistoga Calwa Camarillo Cambria Cambrian Park Cameron Park Campbell Camp Pendleton North Camp Pendleton South Cantua Creek Canyondam Canyon Lake Capitola Caribou Carlsbad Carmel-by-the-Sea Carmel Valley Village Carmichael Carpinteria Carrick Carson Cartago Caruthers Casa Conejo Casa de Oro-Mount Helix Castro Valley Castroville Cathedral City Cayucos Ceres Cerritos Challenge-Brownsville Channel Islands Beach Charter Oak Cherryland Cherry Valley Chester Chico Chilcoot-Vinton China Lake Acres Chinese Camp Chino Chino Hills Chowchilla Chualar Chula Vista Citrus Citrus Heights Claremont Clayton Clearlake Clearlake Oaks Clio Cloverdale Clovis Clyde Coachella Coalinga Cobb Colfax Colma Colton Columbia Colusa Commerce Compton Concord Concow Copperopolis Corcoran Corning Corona Coronado Corralitos Corte Madera Costa Mesa Cotati Coto de Caza Cottonwood Country Club Covelo Covina Crescent City Crescent City North Crescent Mills Crest Crestline C-Road Crockett Cromberg Cudahy Culver City Cupertino Cutler Cutten Cypress Daly City Dana Point Danville Darwin Davis Day Valley Deer Park Del Aire Delano Delhi Delleker Del Mar Del Monte Forest Del Rey Del Rey Oaks Del Rio Denair Derby Acres Desert Hot Springs Desert Shores Desert View Highlands Diablo Diamond Bar Diamond Springs Dillon Beach Dinuba Discovery Bay Dixon Dixon Lane-Meadow Creek Dollar Point Dorrington Dorris Dos Palos Downey Duarte Dublin Ducor Dunsmuir Durham Dustin Acres Earlimart East Blythe East Compton East Foothills East Hemet East La Mirada East Los Angeles East Oakdale Easton East Orosi East Palo Alto East Pasadena East Porterville East Quincy East Richmond Heights East San Gabriel East Shore East Sonora Edgewood Edwards AFB El Cajon El Centro El Cerrito El Cerrito El Dorado Hills Eldridge El Granada Elk Grove Elkhorn Elmira El Monte El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles) El Rio El Segundo El Sobrante El Verano Emerald Lake Hills Emeryville Empire Encinitas Escalon Escondido Esparto Etna Eureka Exeter Fairbanks Ranch Fairfax Fairfield Fair Oaks Fairview Fallbrook Fall River Mills Farmersville Farmington Fellows Felton Ferndale Fetters Hot Springs-Agua Caliente Fillmore Firebaugh Florence-Graham Florin Folsom Fontana Foothill Farms Foothill Ranch Ford City Foresthill Forest Meadows Forestville Fort Bragg Fort Jones Fortuna Foster City Fountain Valley Fowler Frazier Park Freedom Fremont French Camp French Gulch Fresno Friant Fruitdale Fullerton Furnace Creek Galt Gardena Garden Acres Garden Grove Gazelle Georgetown Gerber-Las Flores Gilroy Glen Avon Glendale Glendora Glen Ellen Golden Hills Gold River Goleta Gonzales Goshen Graeagle 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Kentfield Kerman Kernville Kettleman City Keyes King City Kings Beach Kingsburg Kirkwood Klamath Knightsen La Canada Flintridge La Crescenta-Montrose Ladera Heights Lafayette Laguna Laguna Beach Laguna Hills Laguna Niguel Laguna West-Lakeside Laguna Woods Lagunitas-Forest Knolls La Habra La Habra Heights Lake Almanor Country Club Lake Almanor Peninsula Lake Almanor West Lake Arrowhead Lake Davis Lake Elsinore Lake Forest Lakehead-Lakeshore Lake Isabella Lakeland Village Lake Los Angeles Lake Nacimiento Lake of the Pines Lake of the Woods Lakeport Lake San Marcos Lakeside Lakeview Lake Wildwood Lakewood La Mesa La Mirada Lamont Lanare Lancaster La Palma La Porte La Presa La Puente La Quinta La Riviera Larkfield-Wikiup Larkspur Las Flores Las Lomas Lathrop Laton La Verne Lawndale Laytonville Lebec Le Grand Lemon Cove Lemon Grove Lemoore Lemoore Station Lennox Lenwood Lewiston Lexington Hills Lincoln Lincoln Village Linda Linden Lindsay Little Grass Valley Littlerock Live Oak Live Oak Livermore Livingston Lockeford Lodi Loma Linda Loma Rica Lomita Lompoc London Lone Pine Long Beach Loomis Los Alamitos Los Alamos Los Altos Los Altos Hills Los Angeles Los Banos Los Gatos Los Molinos Lost Hills Lower Lake Loyalton Loyola Lucas Valley-Marinwood Lucerne Lynwood McArthur McCloud Macdoel McFarland McKinleyville McKittrick Madera Madera Acres Magalia Malibu Mammoth Lakes Manhattan Beach Manteca Manton March AFB Maricopa Marina Marina del Rey Mariposa Markleeville Martinez Marysville Mayflower Village Maywood Meadow Valley Meadow Vista Mecca Meiners Oaks Mendocino Mendota Menlo Park Mentone Merced Mesa Mesa Vista Mettler Middletown Millbrae Mill Valley Millville Milpitas Mineral Mira Loma Mira Monte Mission Canyon Mission Hills Mission Viejo Mi-Wuk Village Modesto Mohawk Vista Mojave Mokelumne Hill Mono Vista Monrovia Montague Montara Montclair Montebello Montecito Monterey Monterey Park Monte Rio Monte Sereno Montgomery Creek Moorpark Morada Moraga Moreno Valley Morgan Hill Morongo Valley Morro Bay Moss Beach Moss Landing Mountain Mesa Mountain Ranch Mountain View Mountain View Mountain View Acres Mount Hebron Mount Shasta Muir Beach Murphys Murrieta Murrieta Hot Springs Muscoy Myrtletown Napa National City Nebo Center Needles Nevada City Newark Newman Newport Beach Newport Coast Nice Niland Nipomo Norco North Auburn North Edwards North El Monte North Fair Oaks North Highlands North Lakeport North Woodbridge Norwalk Novato Nuevo Oakdale Oakhurst Oakland Oakley Oak Park Oak View Occidental Oceano Oceanside Ocotillo Oildale Ojai Olancha Olivehurst Ontario Onyx Opal Cliffs Orange Orange Cove Orangevale Orcutt Orinda Orland Orosi Oroville Oroville East Oxnard Pacheco Pacifica Pacific Grove Pajaro Palermo Palmdale Palm Desert Palm Springs Palo Alto Palo Cedro Palos Verdes Estates Palo Verde Paradise Paramount Parksdale Parkway-South Sacramento Parkwood Parlier Pasadena Patterson Paxton Pearsonville Pedley Penn Valley Perris Petaluma Phoenix Lake-Cedar Ridge Pico Rivera Piedmont Pine Hills Pine Mountain Club Pine Valley Pinole Piru Pismo Beach Pittsburg Pixley Placentia Placerville Planada Pleasant Hill Pleasanton Plumas Eureka Plymouth Point Arena Point Reyes Station Pollock Pines Pomona Poplar-Cotton Center Port Costa Porterville Port Hueneme Portola Portola Hills Portola Valley Poway Prattville Prunedale Quail Valley Quartz Hill Quincy Rail Road Flat Rainbow Raisin City Ramona Rancho Calaveras Rancho Cordova Rancho Cucamonga Rancho Mirage Rancho Murieta Rancho Palos Verdes Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rancho Santa Margarita Rancho Tehama Reserve Randsburg Red Bluff Redding Redlands Redondo Beach Redway Redwood City Reedley Rialto Richgrove Richmond Ridgecrest Ridgemark Rio Dell Rio del Mar Rio Linda Rio Vista Ripon Riverbank Riverdale Riverdale Park Riverside Rocklin Rodeo Rohnert Park Rolling Hills Rolling Hills Estates Rollingwood Romoland Rosamond Rosedale Roseland Rosemead Rosemont Roseville Ross Rossmoor Round Mountain Round Valley Rowland Heights Rubidoux Running Springs Sacramento St. Helena Salida Salinas Salton City Salton Sea Beach San Andreas San Anselmo San Antonio Heights San Ardo San Bernardino San Bruno San Buenaventura (Ventura) San Carlos San Clemente Sand City San Diego San Diego Country Estates San Dimas San Fernando San Francisco San Gabriel Sanger San Geronimo San Jacinto San Joaquin San Joaquin Hills San Jose San Juan Bautista San Juan Capistrano San Leandro San Lorenzo San Lucas San Luis Obispo San Marcos San Marino San Martin San Mateo San Miguel San Pablo San Rafael San Ramon Santa Ana Santa Barbara Santa Clara Santa Clarita Santa Cruz Santa Fe Springs Santa Maria Santa Monica Santa Paula Santa Rosa Santa Venetia Santa Ynez Santee Saratoga Sausalito Scotts Valley Seal Beach Searles Valley Seaside Sebastopol Sedco Hills Seeley Selma Seven Trees Shackelford Shafter Shandon Shasta Lake Shaver Lake Shingle Springs Shingletown Shoshone Sierra Madre Signal Hill Simi Valley Solana Beach Soledad Solvang Sonoma Sonora Soquel Soulsbyville South Dos Palos South El Monte South Gate South Lake Tahoe South Oroville South Pasadena South San Francisco South San Gabriel South San Jose Hills South Taft South Whittier South Woodbridge South Yuba City Spreckels Spring Garden Spring Valley Springville Squaw Valley Squirrel Mountain Valley Stallion Springs Stanford Stanton Stinson Beach Stockton Storrie Stratford Strathmore Strawberry Suisun City Summerland Sun City Sunnyside-Tahoe City Sunnyslope Sunnyvale Sunol Sunol-Midtown Susanville Sutter Sutter Creek Taft Taft Heights Taft Mosswood Tahoe Vista Talmage Tamalpais-Homestead Valley Tara Hills Taylorsville Tecopa Tehachapi Tehama Temecula Temelec Temple City Templeton Tennant Terra Bella Thermalito Thousand Oaks Thousand Palms Three Rivers Tiburon Tierra Buena Tipton Tobin Tomales Toro Canyon Torrance Tracy Tranquillity Traver Trinidad Truckee Tulare Tulelake Tuolumne City Tupman Turlock Tustin Tustin Foothills Twain Twain Harte Twentynine Palms Twentynine Palms Base Twin Lakes Ukiah Union City Upland Upper Lake Vacaville Valinda Vallecito Vallejo Valle Vista Valley Acres Valley Center Valley Ranch Valley Springs Val Verde Vandenberg AFB Vandenberg Village Vernon Victorville View Park-Windsor Hills Villa Park Vincent Vine Hill Vineyard Visalia Vista Waldon Wallace Walnut Walnut Creek Walnut Grove Walnut Park Wasco Waterford Watsonville Weaverville Weed Weedpatch Weldon West Athens West Bishop West Carson West Compton West Covina Westhaven-Moonstone West Hollywood Westlake Village Westley West Menlo Park Westminster West Modesto Westmont Westmorland West Point West Puente Valley West Sacramento West Whittier-Los Nietos Westwood Wheatland Whitehawk Whittier Wildomar Wilkerson Williams Willits Willowbrook Willow Creek Willows Wilton Winchester Windsor Winter Gardens Winterhaven Winters Winton Wofford Heights Woodacre Woodcrest Woodlake Woodland Woodside Woodville Wrightwood Yorba Linda Yosemite Lakes Yosemite Valley Yountville Yreka Yuba City Yucaipa Yucca Valley
Michael Quinn is an independent licensed insurance agent with a passion for helping others navigate the complex world of Medicare insurance. With over a decade of experience in the field, Michael has established himself as a trusted advisor to countless individuals seeking guidance on their healthcare coverage options.
In 2013, Michael obtained his license as an insurance agent, laying the foundation for his successful career in the industry. Prior to that, he earned his Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Central Florida, which equipped him with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Driven by a genuine desire to make a positive impact on people's lives, Michael co-founded REMEDIGAP in 2013. It was created as a dedicated platform that aims to educate individuals about Medicare insurance. Through REMEDIGAP, Michael provides comprehensive resources and unbiased information to empower individuals to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage.
With his extensive knowledge and expertise, Michael has been able to guide thousands of individuals towards finding the most suitable Medicare insurance plans tailored to their unique needs. His dedication to his clients' well-being, coupled with his passion for simplifying complex insurance concepts, has earned him a reputation as a compassionate and reliable advisor.
His work has appeared on many blogs and websites including, USA Today, Yahoo.com, Nerdwallet, Think Advisor, and REAL SIMPLE.
