How often do Medicare supplement rates increase? What is average premium increase? Where can I find supplement plan rate histories? Do plan F Medigap rates increase more than other plans? Why are my rates so high?

All good questions but here is something you should know.

Tracking rate increase histories doesn’t matter. This video explains.

Why Medicare Supplement Rate Increase Histories Don’t Matter

Don’t worry about previous rates. The history of a particular plan or carrier does not allow you to predict future rate increases.

• Renewal rates are market driven
• Renewal rates also reflect loss ratios
• Loss ratios impact renewal rates but are tempered by market share
• Medigap carriers rarely stay in a particular market longer than 3 or 4 years

Medicare supplement rates are market driven

During the last few years most carriers did not care about offering competitive plan F rates. This is especially true for “household” name brands. Carriers that market direct to consumers know folks will buy their product without shopping rates. Popular brands include Anthem Blue Cross, Mutual of Omaha and AARP/United Healthcare.

Name recognition, size and financial strength may be a consideration for most products. But this criteria does not extend to Medigap plans.

All Medicare supplement carriers pay claims on a timely basis. Most are paid in 3 to 5 days once the claim is received from Medicare.

When you pay more for your Medigap plan you don’t get more, you simply paid too much.

Some carriers that are new to the market are aggressively pricing their G plan. Don’t get sucked into a low entry rate. Ask #GAMedicareExpert Bob Vineyard for advice. Never any charge.

Loss ratios drive renewal rates

Some carriers will intentionally underprice their plans to attract market share. These plans and rates may be very competitive for a year or two before the renewal increases are double digit.

Don’t get lured into a low price offered by a carrier that has only been in the Georgia Medicare market a few years.

Low rates and loose underwriting will generate high loss ratios. What follows are huge rate increases and the possibility the carrier will withdraw completely from the market.

Medigap carriers come and go

As of May 2019 there are almost 50 carriers writing Medicare supplement plans in Georgia. Over the last 4 years or so we have seen at least 20 carriers leave the market and be replaced with lower priced plans. Often the departing carrier is owned by a large, brand name carrier. The parent company introduces another subsidiary with lower rates than the retired carrier.

Don’t get sucked into buying a plan from a carrier that is owned by a household name. That subsidiary will probably leave Georgia within 3 to 4 years. Future rate increases are almost always significantly higher than companies that are still writing new business.

Ask a Medicare expert for advice

Bob Vineyard has over 40 years in the health insurance industry and is also on Medicare. You have questions? We have answers.

Here is my offer.

Give me 10 to 15 minutes by phone to answer your questions. If you don’t feel comfortable with my approach or believe you can get better help and advice elsewhere, move on. We part as friends.

This isn’t personal, it’s just business.

But if you like what I have to offer and would like my help navigating the Medicare maze, let’s do business. Never any pressure. It is always at your pace.

This is what I call an offer you can’t refuse.