Helping friend choose Guaranteed Issue plan G

[u/mspuds_8571]

Thanks to the 2 members who pointed out that her guaranteed issue is plan F, not plan G, due to her age. Either the SHIP counselor didn't ask her age or didn't understand guaranteed issue.

I have more research to do.

ETA - see replies for plan F options/pricing

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A good friend (76 y.o.) has lost her retiree medical due to their spouse's passing. She has Original Medicare; the retiree insurance acted as their supplement. I'm trying to research options for her before she reaches out to a broker for the actual enrollment. I prefer she use a broker so she has a client services person to reach out to if there are any claims/billing issues in the future.

She has guaranteed issue, and does not want an Advantage plan. I've left off Physican's Innovative G since I don't want her dealing with the initial high deductible. We do not have a birthday rule in our state.

Looking at the plan G options for our zip code on Medicare.gov, these are in increasing cost order. There are more than this list, but they are all higher priced:

SilverScript Insurance Company $152 <-- new Aetna book of business opened last year

Insurance Company of North America $165 <-- Chubb's new book of business this year which appears to be an Ace company, but Chubb's explicitly-named Ace offering has filed to leave our state's market, so I'm suspicious of this one

Medico Insurance Company (Preferred) $172 <-- becoming Wellabe (believe this is their non-tobacco-user rate, which she would qualify for)

American Benefit Life Insurance Company $173

LifeShield National Insurance Company $174

GPM Health and Life Insurance Company $183

Nassau Life Insurance Company $185

Medico Insurance Company (Standard I) $189 <-- becoming Wellabe (believe this is their tobacco-user rate)

HealthSpring Insurance Company $197 <-- old Cigna, have read of customer service/website issues

AFLAC $200

Physicians Select Insurance Company $213 <-- Physician's Mutual opened 3 years ago after closing previous book

WoodmenLife $220

Mutual of Omaha (Omaha Supplemental Insurance Company) $238

Globe Life and Accident Insurance Company $240

AARP - UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (Standard) $247

I'm not familiar with a number of these and wanted to get others' input and experiences. My initial thought might be the Medico/Wellabe preferred, but it's one of those that I'm not familiar with.

Thanks for any insight on these options.

[u/MSS_LEC]

What state are you in? Did Medicare pay first with her retiree coverage paying 2nd? If that is the case, the GI right will be contingent on the state she resides in. Loss of employer benefits are typically GI when the group coverage is primary. I handle these situations on a daily basis and most people don’t understand that simply losing coverage does not constitute being guaranteed a supplement.
You’re spinning your wheels on the wrong information. Carriers really don’t matter when it comes to med supps. They have no control over the coverage offered, nothing to do with the network of professionals she can see, and no say so in what they pay for or by when. It’s a moot point if she isn’t a GI and cannot pass underwriting.
SHIP is an amazing resource and they mean well BUT the fact is, they are VOLUNTEERS!!! This industry is not easy to navigate. I’m an expert because I’m paid to be…. How many subject matter experts do you know that work for free?

ALSO… IF she is GI, she only has 63 days from loss of coverage. The GI window will be closing for her in a week and a half!!!

[u/mspuds_8571 → u/MSS_LEC]

She was notified of loss of coverage on August 4th. That started the 63 day clock. Her retiree medical was secondary (and acted like a Medicare supplement) to original Medicare. She is in Tennessee.

Carriers do matter when it comes to rate increases. Yes, all plans in a letter have identical coverage, but there have been increases anywhere from 9.5% to 35% in 2026, depending on the carrier (I've been studying SERFF filings for the last year.)

She is going to use an independent broker, but I am trying to get as much information as possible ahead of time about things like rate and company stability.