What You Need to Know
A Medicare Supplement plan can help pay your healthcare costs not covered by Original Medicare.
To qualify for a Medigap policy, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
In Colorado, you can choose from 12 Medigap policies, including two high-deductible plans.
Medicare helps to cover many healthcare expenses in Colorado for Medicare beneficiaries. However, you’ll still be responsible for costs like copayments and deductibles. Those out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up.
A Medigap policy, also called a Medicare Supplement plan, is additional coverage that can help to reduce or eliminate some of the costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover. Original Medicare is made up of Part A, hospital services, and Part B, outpatient services.
When to Sign Up
The best time to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
When Can You Enroll in Medigap?
You can enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance in Colorado during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP).1 This six-month OEP automatically starts the month that you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. You can buy any Medicare Supplement plan during your OEP, even if you have a preexisting condition like COPD. An insurance provider can’t charge you more for your plan because of your preexisting condition, and you can make changes to your plan during your OEP.
Enrolling in Medigap becomes more complicated outside of your OEP. An insurance provider can charge more for your coverage, or may even reject you because of a preexisting condition. An insurance provider may also require a six-month waiting period before your plan takes effect.
In certain situations, you can sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan outside of your OEP. If your current plan leaves Medicare, for instance, you may qualify for a guaranteed issue right.2 In that case, an insurer must sell you a Medigap policy without imposing restrictions or charging you a higher premium.
A qualifying event like losing your current coverage or moving may make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period.3 During a Special Enrollment Period, you can make certain changes to your policy, but those changes will depend on the type of qualifying event.
What Are the Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans?
| Plan Type | Total Enrolled (Rounded) | Percent of Total Enrolled |
| Plan F | 127,000 | 58% |
| Plan G | 56,000 | 25% |
| Plan N | 22,000 | 10% |
In Colorado, you can choose from 12 Medicare Supplement plans, including two high-deductible options. Each letter plan is the same across different insurers. Premiums, deductibles, copayments, and levels of coverage vary between plans. Be sure to carefully review each plan to understand what’s included and which plan is right for you.
Plans F, G, and N are some of the most popular Medigap policies. Note: Plan F isn’t available if you qualified for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Plan F
Plan F is the most comprehensive policy, but it also has the highest monthly premium. This plan includes:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B copays/coinsurance
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency – 80%
Plan G
Plan G is similar to Plan F, but it excludes the Medicare Part B deductible:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B copays/coinsurance
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency – 80%
Plan N
Plan N has lower premiums than Plans F or G. It doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible or Part B excess charges:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B copays/coinsurance
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice
- Skilled nursing facility
- Part A deductible
- Foreign travel emergency – 80%
Coverage Levels
Different letter plans offer different levels of coverage and costs.
How Do You Choose a Medicare Supplement Plan?
You will get the best value for a Medigap policy in Colorado if you choose a plan that covers the types of medical expenses that you have most often. In some cases, a plan with a higher premium might be a better choice for you if it saves you money on frequent healthcare costs. Look for a plan that offers the coverage you need at a premium you can reasonably afford.
But Medigap policies don’t include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage. So you’ll need to buy a separate policy for those benefits.
How Much Do Medigap Policies Cost?
Keep in mind that the monthly premium cost doesn’t include other costs like copayments and deductibles. The following example reflects premium costs for a 65-year-old female and male in Colorado who don’t use tobacco:
65-Year-Old Woman, No Tobacco Use
| Plan Type | Premium Range |
| Plan F | $121-$411 |
| Plan G | $112-$401 |
| Plan N | $77-$365 |
65-Year-Old Man, No Tobacco Use
| Plan Type | Premium Range |
| Plan F | $135-$463 |
| Plan G | $124-$452 |
| Plan N | $85-$411 |
What Companies Sell Medigap in Colorado?
What If You Want to Change Your Medigap Policy?
Changing your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in Colorado outside of your Open Enrollment Period is difficult unless you have a guaranteed issue right. Because changing plans is challenging, it’s important to carefully research Medigap policies during your Open Enrollment Period so that you won’t have to change your plan later on.
What Are Alternatives to Medicare Supplement?
Medicare Advantage plans, also known as Medicare Part C, are an alternative to a Medigap policy.5 These plans are offered by private insurers and generally include additional benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage. Medicare Advantage plans also limit your out-of-pocket expenses. You generally need to see in-network providers for coverage.
What Are Medicare Resources in Colorado?
- Colorado Senior Health Care & Medicare Assistance (Colorado SHIP & SMP) provides free help with and information about Medicare plans. You can apply for the federal Medicare program through this site or use the Application Assistance Mapping Tool to locate an application assistance site near you.
- Through the Colorado Division of Insurance, you can research available health insurance options, ask a question, or file a complaint about your insurance policy.
- Health First Colorado is Colorado’s Medicaid program. Medicaid is a federal-state program that offers healthcare to those with low income or disability.
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Next Steps
If you’ve decided to sign up for a Medicare Supplement plan in Colorado, research each plan’s coverage and cost to determine which one is best for your healthcare needs and budget. Then reach out to insurers that offer the plan so you can enroll.
