Blue cross blue shield of nebraska medicare supplements

If you’re considering enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan (also known as Medicare Part C) in Nebraska to meet your various health insurance needs, you’re not alone.

Approximately 312,000 people ages 65 and older live in Nebraska, accounting for nearly 16% of the state’s total population, according to recent Census data estimates. Considering that Nebraska’s average life expectancy is 79 years, maintaining health insurance coverage after retirement is essential for both physical and financial well-being.

Identifying the Medicare Advantage plan that best suits your specific needs can be a challenging task. To assist your search, Forbes Health created a snapshot below of the market specific to your locale to help you better understand how many options you have, how extensive coverage in your area tends to be and how much you can expect to pay each month for a plan. What’s more, we created a downloadable checklist with the goal of simplifying your Medicare Advantage enrollment experience.

Since Medicare Advantage plan eligibility is largely dependent on where you live, we gathered data specific to an urban, suburban and rural location in Nebraska to show how plan availability, monthly premium rates and in-network maximum out-of-pocket amounts can vary.

How to Pick the Best Medicare Advantage Plan in Nebraska

With that snapshot of your state’s Medicare Advantage coverage in mind, you’ll need to consider the details involved in identifying the best plan for you and your health needs, from in-network hospitals and providers to drug formularies and deductibles. For those approaching the age of 65, navigating another qualifying event or looking to review their plan options ahead of the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment period (which runs from January 1 to March 31 annually), we created the downloadable checklist below to help simplify your enrollment experience.

Blue cross blue shield of nebraska medicare supplements

Your Medicare Advantage Plan Shopping Checklist (Text Version)

Compare Top Medicare Plans From Blue Cross Blue Shield, a Forbes Health 5-Star Rated Carrier

Click Get A Quote or call 1-877-898-0206 to speak with a licensed insurance agent.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Medicare Advantage, also known as Medicare Part C?

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) is a type of health insurance provided by private insurance companies to U.S. adults ages 65 and up, as well as younger individuals with certain disabilities and health conditions. The federal government pays a flat fee per enrollee to the insurance companies, which then provide the core benefits of Original Medicare, payment to care providers and oftentimes additional benefits.

How does Medicare Advantage differ from Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap?

Medicare Advantage plans serve as a substitute for Original Medicare, providing that same coverage plus additional benefits like prescription drugs coverage (Part D). Meanwhile, Medicare Supplement plans (commonly known as Medigap plans) are sold by private insurance companies to people enrolled in Original Medicare to help fill the gaps of that coverage. There are 10 types of Medigap plans—with letter names ranging from A to N—that provide standardized coverage and help pay for things like deductibles, coinsurance and copays. Another important difference to note: Medigap policies don’t cover prescription drugs. A person enrolled in Original Medicare who wants prescription drug coverage must purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan in addition to any Medicare Supplement plan.

Who can benefit most from Medicare Advantage coverage?

Any qualifying U.S. adult interested in convenient coverage options that are largely provided by a single insurer can benefit from a Medicare Advantage plan. People with chronic health conditions and specific coverage needs might also find bundled coverage under a Medicare Advantage plan to be more affordable than taking a piecemeal approach with Original Medicare and Medigap plans.

The average monthly rate of a Medigap plan in Nebraska for a 65-year-old is $119, and for a 75-year-old, $187. The most popular plans, because of their comprehensive coverage, are Plan F, costing around $184.45 per month, and Plan G, which is roughly $115.80 per month. But, Plan F is only available to individuals who were eligible for Medicare before 2020.

The next most popular is Plan N, costing roughly $106.70 per month for 65-year-olds and $163.78 monthly for 75-year-olds. While it offers similar coverage to the above plans, it does not cover the Part B excess charge.

MoneyGeek compared Medicare Supplement companies in Nebraska by analyzing the average premiums and added benefits they provide for these three plans, per our methodology. You can learn more about choosing the best Medicare Supplement plan by reading about different plans and coverages in our guide.

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Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

Best Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska

The best Medigap Plan G in Nebraska is offered by Aetna. Its average monthly rate is $113.72.

As info, MoneyGeek only ranked companies that give quotes online in Nebraska for Medicare Supplement plans. Therefore, there might be a Medicare Supplement provider in Nebraska that has a plan that better suits your needs but no online quoting tool.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick

  • MoneyGeek Score: 80 out of 100
  • Average Monthly Rate: $113.72

Aetna’s Medicare Supplement Plan G, averaging $113.72 monthly, is around $24.78 more affordable than the average cost of Plan G in Nebraska — $138.50 per month.

With Aetna, Plan G includes a foreign travel emergency benefit, which means you get coverage for emergency medical services or supplies outside the United States.

The Cost of Medicare Supplement Plan G in Nebraska

On average, Medicare Supplement Plan G costs $138.50 per month in Nebraska.

For 65-year-olds, Physicians Mutual offers the cheapest Plan G in Nebraska at around $99.20 per month. Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare has the most expensive premium for Plan G at roughly $142 monthly, about $43 more per month.

However, several factors will affect your rate, like medical underwriting, chosen provider and current age.

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

Providers Offering Plan G in Nebraska

In Nebraska, 43 companies offer Plan G. However, not all have quotes available online. To help you find the best policy for your needs, MoneyGeek compiled the contact details of all Medicare Supplement Plan G providers in Nebraska. We also outlined their pricing methods to help you figure out which companies charge more based on your age.

Providers Offering Plan G in Nebraska

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

  • Central States Health and Life Co. of Omaha

What Does Plan G Cover?

Plan G, and every Medicare Supplement plan, is standardized and required to include specific coverage. But Plan G doesn’t cover the Part B deductible; it does include 80% of foreign travel exchange coverage up to plan limits.

Some Medigap providers offer added benefits. For example, Aetna includes foreign travel emergency coverage with Plan G.

Required Benefits of Plan G in Nebraska

  • Medigap Benefit

    Does Plan G Cover?

  • Part A co-insurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up

    Yes

  • Part B co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Blood (first 3 pints)

    Yes

  • Part A hospice care co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Skilled nursing facility care co-insurance

    Yes

  • Part A deductible

    Yes

  • Part B deductible

    No

  • Part B excess charge

    Yes

Best Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska

MoneyGeek found Aetna offers the best Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska, costing around $175.23 per month. There is also a high-deductible version of Aetna’s Plan F, where policyholders pay roughly $44.62 monthly.

Note that MoneyGeek only ranked companies with online quote availability, so providers without online quoting may have a more suitable plan for you.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick

  • MoneyGeek Score: 80 out of 100
  • Average Monthly Rate: $175.23

The average monthly cost of Aetna’s Plan F at $175.23 is slightly cheaper (about $9.17) than the $184.40 average monthly cost of Plan F in Nebraska.

Aetna offers an additional benefit to planholders: foreign travel emergency, to help with medical emergencies outside the United States.

If you’re a senior that’s looking to save, Aetna has a high-deductible Plan F in Nebraska. It decreases the monthly premium to around $44.62. But, you pay for Medicare-covered costs out-of-pocket, including coinsurance and copayments, up to the $2,490 deductible.

The Cost of Medicare Supplement Plan F in Nebraska

In Nebraska, the average monthly cost of Medicare Supplement Plan F is $184.40.

MoneyGeek found the most expensive Plan F is offered by ​​UnitedHealthcare at $353.70 per month. On the other hand, Aetna offers the most affordable Plan F in Nebraska, costing $115.40 per month. That’s a savings of about $238 a month.

Your Plan F rate may depend on your current age, your age when you bought a policy, medical underwriting factors and potential discounts.

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Providers Offering Plan F in Nebraska

In Nebraska, 42 companies provide Medigap Plan F, but not all companies offer rate estimates online. That’s why MoneyGeek gathered every Plan F provider’s contact information in Nebraska and pricing style to show which may charge more by age so you can find the best option.

Providers Offering Plan F in Nebraska

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

  • Central States Health and Life Co. of Omaha

What Does Plan F Cover?

All Medigap policies are standardized and required to offer specific benefits. Plan F is no exception. Plan F also covers 80% of foreign travel exchange, up to the policyholder’s plan limits.

Meanwhile, certain companies, like Aetna, for example, include support for foreign travel emergencies as an added benefit.

Required Benefits of Plan F in Nebraska

  • Medigap Benefit

    Does Plan F Cover?

  • Part A co-insurance and hospital costs up to an additional year after Medicare benefits are used up

    Yes

  • Part B co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Blood (first 3 pints)

    Yes

  • Part A hospice care co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Skilled nursing facility care co-insurance

    Yes

  • Part A deductible

    Yes

  • Part B deductible

    Yes

  • Part B excess charge

    Yes

  • Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits)

    80%

Best Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska

Aetna offers the best Medigap Plan N in Nebraska. It costs around $84.36 monthly.

Take note: MoneyGeek’s scoring system was based on providers with online quoting. Therefore, you might find rates and offers that suit your needs better with a provider that doesn’t have an online quote tool.

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MoneyGeek Top Pick

  • MoneyGeek Score: 80 out of 100
  • Average Monthly Rate: $84.36

Aetna’s Plan N, costing roughly $84.36 a month, is significantly more affordable than Nebraska’s average cost of Plan N at $135.20. A savings of around $50 per month.

With Aetna, policyholders get foreign travel emergency coverage. So, if you’re abroad and need emergency medical services or supplies, you’re covered.

The Cost of Medicare Supplement Plan N in Nebraska

In Nebraska, Plan N averages $135.20 per month.

The cheapest Plan N option for 65-year-olds in Nebraska is Aetna, costing around $84.40 per month. UnitedHealthcare offers the most expensive monthly rate at roughly $134.20. That’s a difference of almost $50.

Keep in mind that your final rate may depend on factors like chosen provider, current age, age when you purchased a policy, potential discounts and medical underwriting.

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

Providers Offering Plan N in Nebraska

There are 40 insurance companies in Nebraska offering Medigap Plan N. Keep in mind that not all 40 providers have online estimates.

To help you get the best provider for your needs, MoneyGeek collected their pricing methods, including which charge more based on age, and contact details.

Providers Offering Plan N in Nebraska

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

  • Central States Health and Life Co. of Omaha

What Does Plan N Cover?

It’s a requirement for all Medicare Supplement Plan N policies to be standardized, having a minimum amount of benefits. But, Plan N doesn’t cover the Part B deductible and excess charge, although it does include 80% coverage for foreign travel exchange, according to plan limits.

Some companies include additional benefits with Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska. For example, an Aetna policyholder gets foreign travel emergency care.

Required Benefits of Plan N in Nebraska

  • Medigap Benefit

    Does Plan N Cover?

  • Part A co-insurance and hospital costs up to an additional year after Medicare benefits are used up

    Yes

  • Part B co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Blood (first 3 pints)

    Yes

  • Part A hospice care co-insurance or copayment

    Yes

  • Skilled nursing facility care co-insurance

    Yes

  • Part A deductible

    Yes

  • Part B deductible

    No

  • Part B excess charge

    No

  • Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits)

    80%

Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska: Other Plan Types

Aside from Plan F, G and N, Nebraska has other types of Medigap policies. Because they offer less comprehensive coverage, fewer individuals purchase Plan A, B, C, D, K and L.

Based on MoneyGeek’s data, when quotes were available online, we chose the best companies for each available other plan type. The top-ranking Medigap providers are:

  • Plan A: UnitedHealthcare
  • Plan B: Aetna
  • Plan C: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska
  • Plan K: UnitedHealthcare
  • Plan L: UnitedHealthcare

If you were eligible for a Medigap plan after January 1, 2020, Plan C isn’t available in Nebraska or other states.

The Best Medicare Supplement in Nebraska - Alternate Plans

  • Plan Type

    Best Plan

    Monthly Cost

  • A

    UnitedHealthcare

    $113.76

  • B

    Aetna

    $127.51

  • C

    Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

    $247.51

  • F

    Aetna

    $175.23

  • G

    Aetna

    $113.72

How to Find the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

Because Medicare Supplement plans in Nebraska can be a challenging topic, MoneyGeek created a comparison chart to help you determine which plan suits your needs best. The chart includes all available plan types from our pricing data and analysis.

Nebraska Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart

Each Medigap plan offers different levels of coverage. Sometimes, a plan type is only available based on when you were eligible for Medicare. Plan F and C offer the most comprehensive coverage; however, new enrollees cannot purchase these plans. Instead, they can get Plan G or Plan D, which are replacements for the aforementioned plans.

The chart below helps you compare average rates and different coverages for Medigap plans in Nebraska.

Medicare Supplement Comparison Chart

Coverage

A

B

C

D

F

G

K

L

M

N

Part A co-insurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Part B co-insurance or copayment

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

50%

75%

Yes

Yes

Blood (first 3 pints)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

50%

75%

Yes

Yes

Part A hospice care co-insurance or copayment

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

50%

75%

Yes

Yes

Skilled nursing facility care co-insurance

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

50%

75%

Yes

Yes

Part A deductible

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

50%

75%

50%

Yes

Part B deductible

No

No

Yes

No

Yes

No

No

No

No

No

Part B excess charge

No

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits)

No

No

80%

80%

80%

80%

No

No

80%

80%

The Cost of Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

The cost of your Medicare Supplement plan in Nebraska depends on your specific plan and chosen provider. MoneyGeek’s research shows that for Plan B, F and N, Aetna offers the cheapest rates. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska offers the most affordable rate for Plan C. Physicians Mutual has the cheapest for Plan G, while UnitedHealthcare has the most affordable premiums for Plan A, K and L.

When it comes to Medigap pricing styles, companies use one of the following methods:

  • Community-Rated: Companies don’t look at your age and charge the same monthly rate to everyone.
  • Issue-Age: Medigap providers determine premiums according to your age when you purchase a plan.
  • Attained-Age: Your Medicare Supplement rate is based on your current age, which means that premiums increase as you get older.

Average Cost of Medicare Supplement in Nebraska

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  • Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska

FAQs About Medicare Supplement Plans in Nebraska

MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions about Medigap in Nebraska to guide you through the process.

Methodology

MoneyGeek collected data from the biggest Medicare Supplement/Medigap providers in Nebraska for 65-year-olds and 75-year-olds. Plans were only rated as one of the best if we could obtain an accurate quote from the provider online.

MoneyGeek’s scoring system weighted affordability 75% and benefits 25%. A Medigap provider received 5% for every benefit, up to a maximum of 25%.

About the Author

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sources

  • Medicare.gov. "Medigap & Travel." Accessed April 11, 2022.
  • Medicare.gov. "Costs of Medigap policies." Accessed April 11, 2022.

How much does a Medicare Supplement cost per month?

The average cost of a Medicare Supplement plan is $139 per month for 2023. However, rates can vary widely from about $50 to more than $400 per month.

Is there a Medicare Supplement that covers everything?

Overview. Medigap Plan F is the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan. Also referred to as Medicare Supplement Plan F, it covers both Medicare deductibles and all copays and coinsurance, leaving you with nothing out-of-pocket. This post has been updated for 2022.

What is the difference between Medicare Part D and Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Plan D is a Medicare Supplement plan, also known as a Medigap plan. Plan D is one of the 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans available in most states: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. The names “Medicare Plan D”, “Medicare Supplement Plan D”, and “Medigap Plan D all mean the same thing.

What Medicare Supplement plan has the highest level of coverage?

Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap option available, providing beneficiaries with 100% coverage of Medicare-covered medical expenses after Original Medicare pays its portion.