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JANUARY 13, 2020 - Some Consumers may not be Eligible for Medicare Supplement Plans in 2020 due to Some Changes in the Law

Contact: Yeraldin Deavila, Public Information Officer
Phone: (775) 687-0772
E-mail: ydeavila@doi.nv.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– January 13, 2020

Some consumers may not be eligible for Medicare Supplement plans in 2020 due to some changes in the law  

Carson City, NV – The Division of Insurance (“Division”) would like to remind consumers that Medicare Supplement plans C and F, also known as Medigap C and F, are no longer available to newly eligible consumers, as of January 1, 2020.

Congress passed the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“MACRA”), a law which states that Medicare Supplement plans will no longer be allowed to cover the Part B deductible to newly eligible individuals on or after January 1, 2020. That is why consumers who turned 65 or who first became eligible for Medicare due to age, disability or end-stage renal disease on or after January 1, 2020 will not have the option to purchase Medicare Supplement plans C or F because those plans cover the Part B deductible.  

This does not affect consumers whose 65th birthday was before January 1, 2020 or those who first became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 and had already purchased those plans before such date as these are “grandfathered” plans. Similarly, consumers eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 but have not yet enrolled in such plans, may still be able to purchase one of these plans.  

“Considering purchasing supplemental coverage for Medicare is a personal decision,” said Insurance Commissioner Barbara Richardson. “To aid consumers in reaching that decision, the Division has developed several resources and we suggest taking time to educate yourself on your options.” 

The Division encourages consumers to contact a licensed agent, broker, producer or consultant to assist in selecting appropriate Medicare Supplement insurance coverage. In addition, consumers are also encouraged to learn more about these products by reading the Division’s Medicare Supplement Insurance Premium Comparison Guide located on the Division’s website at http://doi.nv.gov/News-Notices/Publications/.  

The Division also has available on its website a Medicare Supplement Rate Lookup Tool at http://doi.nv.gov/Health_Insurance_Rates/Medicare_Supplement_Rates/. The rates on this tool are for all ages and zip codes in Nevada. Once a consumer has input their information on the tool, the available plans based on this information will be displayed.  

While the rates displayed are the effective rates based on smoking status, gender, location and age, the actual premium rate each company charges may be based on a number of different factors.  

About the Nevada Division of Insurance

The State of Nevada Division of Insurance, a Division of the Nevada Department of Business and Industry, protects the rights of Nevada consumers and regulates Nevada’s $14 billion insurance industry. The Division of Insurance has offices in Carson City and Las Vegas. In 2018, the Division investigated more than 3,100 consumer complaints and recovered over $8.4 million on behalf of consumers. For more information about the Division of Insurance, visit DOI.NV.GOV.   

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