2023 medicare supplement plans in california (yet another medicare thread)

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mkalman
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Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2019 9:33 pm

2023 medicare supplement plans in california (yet another medicare thread)

Post by mkalman »

I'm looking at the medigap (supplement) options in California for 2023 and I just don't understand the premiums.

Using Plan G as the example, the most expensive plan can be $100 to $200 a month (depending on age) more than the least expensive plan (looks like State Farm and USAA). Most plans are attained-age, so directly comparable.

They also don't appear to offer different benefits. Blue Shield offers plans with gym and fitness, CVS credits, AAA membership, vision, hearing but they also offer plans that don't, so the perks don't explain the price difference.

California's birthday rule lets people switch yearly. So future premium increases don't seem to matter. If base benefits are standardized and Medicare processes claims, what can possibly be the difference between different companies?

Is there any possibility that the quality of service or customer support matters between the companies? On what basis can anyone comparison shop except for price? Why doesn't everyone always simply switch to the cheapest company offering that plan letter?
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