Best Medicare Supplement Plans in California
Cigna offers the most competitive rates for California’s best Medicare Supplement plans. Cigna’s Plan G provides excellent value at $146.18 per month for a 65-year-old male in Alameda County, while Cigna’s Plan N is competitively priced at $127.29 for a 65-year-old female in Los Angeles County.
Cigna provides guaranteed renewable Medigap plans in California. Our Cigna Medicare Supplement Insurance Review found that they offer premium discounts of up to 25%, a user-friendly online portal, and a Healthy Rewards program with discounts on various health and wellness products and services.
Cigna also provides convenient options to bundle dental, vision, or hearing coverage for an additional monthly premium as low as $32.
Around 27.2% of California’s Medicare beneficiaries are currently enrolled in Medicare Supplement plans. The number of Californians benefiting from Medicare Supplement plans is a staggering 1,107,211 people, and this figure is projected to rise as more individuals explore alternative options to Medicare alone or Medicare Advantage plans.
-
Best Plan G: Cigna
Plan G: $146.18 per month (average)
Plan Highlights:
More than 45,490 individuals in California are enrolled in Medigap Plan G. It offers coverage for out-of-pocket expenses like Medicare deductibles (Part A only), copayments, and coinsurance.
Additionally, it provides benefits for hospital stays, emergency care, lab testing, preventive screenings, and even foreign travel medical emergencies.
-
Best Plan N: Cigna
Plan N: $127.29 per month (average)
Plan Highlights:
Medigap Plan N offers lower premiums than Plan G, partly due to its requirement for office visit and ER copays.
However, it still provides exceptional value and benefits, with coverage for Part A deductibles and coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facilities, and foreign travel emergency care.
To find the best Medicare Supplement plans in California, we focused only on financially viable options from companies with proven long-term stability. In other words, we only consider companies that have stood the test of time.
New companies may not offer lower rates, and these lesser-known insurers may increase prices more often. Therefore, choosing trusted brands is best to avoid extra expenses and potential complications.
Let’s take a closer look at Cigna’s best plan offerings for California residents.
Best Plan G Rates: Cigna
65: $146.18
70: $177.85
76: $222.88
68: $164.44
72: $192.37
75: $216.39
Medigap Plan G in California offers a wide range of benefits. These include coverage for Part B excess charges, Medicare Part A deductible, foreign travel emergency care, and Part B coinsurance.
One of the significant advantages of a Cigna Medigap plan is that you are not required to get referrals (such as a Medicare Advantage plan requires), and there are no network limitations on your choice of providers. You can select any medical provider who participates in the Original Medicare network.
In addition to their Medicare Supplement plans, Cigna offers separate stand-alone policies for cancer, dental, vision, and even a fitness program called Silver&Fit.
Best Plan N Rates: Cigna
65: $127.29
72: $167.50
75: $188.41
67: $137.67
70: $154.86
74: $181.17
Cigna’s Medigap Plan N (like Plan G) offers the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Original Medicare.
However, with Plan N, you will have a $25 copay for office visits and a $50 copay for ER visits. You do have the flexibility to include dental and vision insurance.
- Original Medicare Part A and B coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Emergency care
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency medical care
Is Plan G Cheaper Than Plan F?
Yes, typically, Plan G premiums are lower than Plan F premiums due to the fact that Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. This deductible is an annual amount that beneficiaries are responsible for paying before their Medicare coverage begins.
By not including coverage for this deductible, Plan G is able to offer more affordable premiums while still providing comprehensive coverage for other Medicare benefits.
What's the Best Medicare Supplement Company in California?
The overall best Medigap provider in California is Cigna.
Cigna’s Medigap plans are popular in California due to their lower costs. However, the best Medicare Supplement company varies depending on the specific plan letter you’re considering.
For example, one company may offer lower costs for Plan N while another may provide a better price for Plan G. It’s also worth noting that each company has its strengths and weaknesses depending on its plan options.
| Company | Market Share | Plan G Cost | Plan N Cost | Cost by County | Financial Strength |
| Cigna Health Group | 35.64% | $146.18 | $106.25 | Contra Costa | A |
| United Health Care | 25.6% | $154.96 | $130.96 | Orange | A+ |
| Mutual of Omaha | 5.2% | $157.38 | $123.55 | San Bernardino | A+ |
| Aflac Insurance Company | 0.01% | $158.31 | $120.48 | Kern | A+ |
| Continental Life Insurance Company of Aetna | 8.4% | $176.35 | $126.53 | Ventura | A |
| Allstate Health Solutions | 0.09% | $179.34 | $141.71 | Fresno | A+ |
California has ten standardized Medigap plans, all with the same coverage regardless of which company you choose. There may also be a high deductible Medigap option available in some areas.
Most Medigap plans have no networks, so you can visit any provider that accepts Original Medicare. To make selecting an insurance company easier, compare their costs and policyholder satisfaction ratings.
How Much Does a Medigap Plan Cost in California?
Premiums for a California Medicare Supplement plan can cost as little as $53 or as much as $200, depending on your age and the level of coverage you choose.
| Medigap Plan | Monthly Cost | Cost by County | Enrollment in California | ||
| Plan F | $179.47 | San Diego | 59% | ||
| Plan G | $146.18 | Imperial | 19% | ||
| Plan N | $106.25 | Riverside | 11% | ||
| High Deductible G | $57.58 | Inyo | 2% | ||
| Plan A | $113.04 | Santa Barbara | 0.42% | ||
| Plan K | $53.52 | Tulare | -1% | ||
How Does the Medigap Birthday Rule Work in California?
The California Medigap Birthday Rule is a state-specific regulation allowing beneficiaries to switch Medigap plans annually. This rule permits policyholders to switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits within 30 days of their birthday each year without undergoing medical underwriting.
This means they cannot be denied coverage or charged more due to their health status. It allows policyholders to adjust their coverage to suit their evolving needs better.
-
Pro Tips:
- In California, tobacco rates do not apply during the Open Enrollment period or in guaranteed-issue situations.
- Losing Medicaid in California gives an individual a guaranteed-issue right for a Medigap plan.
Final Verdict
Having spent years in the industry assisting numerous individuals in finding coverage, we believe Cigna is an excellent option. Our clients who opt for Cigna tend to remain loyal for many years due to their exceptional quality coverage.
When it comes to plan value and fast enrollment, Cigna surpasses all competitors. Additionally, they boast an exceptional track record of promptly processing and paying claims.
Selecting the appropriate Medicare Supplement plan is a decision that warrants careful consideration. With the aid of Policy Guide, you can access the wisdom and proficiency of skilled agents who can help you compare various health plans, prices, and policies.
We’d like to guide you through this process so that your chosen plan aligns perfectly with your needs.
Article Sources: Cigna Plan Comparison Chart | Medigap Cost | When to Apply | CA Medigap Guide | CA AHIP
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is there a Medicare Supplement plan in California that covers everything?
- What is the best Medicare Supplement plan in California?
- Who is the best Medicare Supplement provider in California?
