Arizona ranks 12th highest in percent of the population aged 65 years and older, with over 1.5 million residents aged 65 and above. In 2024, about 1.4 million people in Arizona had access to Medicare plans.
Medicare is a fee-for-service health insurance program in the US. This health coverage plan is administered by the federal government and funded by the General Revenue and Federal Insurance Contributions Act.
In Arizona, Medicare provides comprehensive healthcare coverage to senior adults aged 65 and above, those with certain disabilities, and people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
In states such as Arizona, which boasts the 12th highest proportion of senior residents, services like Medicare have become vital for covering healthcare bills.
The Medicare Supplement Plan, also popularly known as Medigap, is an optional plan that covers what’s not covered under Medicare Parts A and B. This supplemental plan bridges the gaps of Original Medicare, lowering out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries with additional coverage. However, you must have Original Medicare to access a supplemental plan.
Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
The Medicare Supplement Plan, called Medigap, is a secondary coverage plan with a primary purpose to lower out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance associated with Medicare plans.
As Original Medicare Parts A and B do not cover these expenses, Medigap covers only what isn’t covered by Original Medicare. Therefore, you cannot use Medigap as a stand-alone insurance policy.
According to the rules and regulations set by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), every plan must provide beneficiaries with the same coverage under the same plan. This means that all Plan Gs offer the same benefits to enrollees across the State. The only difference is premiums and plan availability.
Over 1.5 million Arizona residents are 65 and above, making up about 19.78% of the State’s population. More than 1.4 million beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare, and 25% of them have a Medicare supplement plan in Arizona.
Since Arizona’s life expectancy is just under 75, medical insurance plans are critical for lowering healthcare bills for such a huge number of older adults in the State. There are 10 different types of Medigap policies, labeled A through N.
These Medigap plans cover out-of-pocket expenses, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
- Deductibles are costs that you cover before Medicare provides coverage for health services. Deductibles apply to all Medicare Parts.
- A copayment is a fixed payment for a doctor’s visit. This amount is paid after you pay your deductibles.
- Coinsurance is a cost-sharing method in which you pay a small percentage of the total amount for specific services after paying your deductibles. Your Medicare insurance plan covers the rest of the cost.
General Analysis of Medicare Supplement Plan Providers in Arizona
| Insurance Company | Plan types offered | Share of Arizona Medigap members |
| UnitedHealthcare | A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N. | 42.9% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | A, B, C, D, F, and G. | 18.7% |
| Aetna | A, B, C, D, F, G and N. | 4.1% |
| Humana | A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N | — |
| Cigna | A, F, G, and N | — |
Types of Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
As of 2024, Arizona offers residents ten standard Medigap plan types. Medigap Plans C and F are not available to new members as of January 1, 2020. This is because these plans can no longer cover the Part B deductible.
Plans F and G are the most popular Medigap plans because of their comprehensive coverage. The average monthly rates for these plans are $216.46 and $161.40.
The next most popular is Plan N, which offers similar coverage to Plans F and G but with additional charges. The average cost of a Plan N is $157.30 per month for a 65-year-old.
All Medigap policies in Arizona are standardized, meaning that Plan N provides the same core benefits regardless of the insurance provider. However, Plan N does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible or Part B excess charges.
Plan N includes foreign travel emergency coverage, but it only covers 80% of the costs up to the plan’s limits. Depending on the insurer, some companies may offer additional benefits alongside Plan N. For example, UnitedHealthcare provides a NurseLine service, which allows policyholders to consult with healthcare professionals for medical guidance.
Cost Breakdown of Three Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Arizona
The most popular supplement plans in Arizona are Medigap Plan F, G, and N. The cost for these plans varies. Here’s a detailed cost breakdown for these popular Arizona Medigap plans.
Medicare Supplement Plan F
In Arizona, 46 companies offer Medigap Plan F. The availability and monthly premiums vary depending on an individual’s age, sex, health status, and location.
Despite being one of the most popular Medigap plans across Arizona, Medigap Plan F is no longer available to new applicants. Beneficiaries who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, can sign up for plan F. In addition, people who already have plan F can keep it.
Medicare Supplement Plan G
There are 44 companies offering Plan G Medicare Supplement in Arizona. Medigap Plan G is one of the most popular Medicare Supplement plans for those not eligible for Plan F.
Plan G offers extensive coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, with premiums and availability depending on factors such as age, sex, tobacco use, location, and health status. However, it does not cover the Part B deductible.
Medicare Supplement Plan N
There are 45 providers offering Plan N in Arizona. This plan is a cost-effective policy that offers comprehensive coverage while requiring some out-of-pocket payments.
The availability and monthly premiums vary based on factors such as age, gender, tobacco use, and location.
Cost Determination of Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
Some cost-determining factors include your location, age, provider, and the benefits a plan covers. Therefore, different counties have different prices for popular plans such as Medigap Plan F, G, and N. For example, Medicare Supplement in the Maricopa County of Arizona has premiums ranging from as low as $115 to as high as $268.
Generally, Medigap prices are determined in three ways.
- Community-rated: Everyone with the Medigap policy pays the same monthly premium, regardless of age.
- Issue age-rated: With this type of Medigap policy, your premium is determined by your age at the time of purchase. Buying at a young age means lower premiums compared to purchasing later. The advantage of this pricing method is that your premium remains the same as you grow older. However, it may still increase over time due to inflation, rising healthcare costs, or adjustments in the insurer’s pricing structure.
- Attained age-rated: With this type of Medigap policy, the premium is determined by your age at the time of payment and increases as you get older. As a result, a plan that seems affordable at 65 could become significantly more expensive by 85. While this policy may initially have the lowest premium, it has the potential to become one of the costliest options over time. Inflation and other factors can also contribute to rising premium costs.
Besides this, the premiums may vary from provider to provider as these plans are offered by different private health insurance companies. However, the average monthly premium cost of a Medicare Supplement Plan in Arizona can range from $115 to $268.
Cost Comparison of the Top-Rated Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
As Medigap plans are standardized, they offer the same coverage across Arizona. The only difference is plan availability and premiums. Looking into the price difference can help you make a cost-efficient decision.
Physicians Mutual offers the cheapest Plan G for 65-year-olds in the state at $101 per month. Humana offers the cheapest Plan N at $103.50 monthly.
Let us look into the prices of the most popular Medigap companies that provide plans G and N in Arizona.
The table below provides the estimated cost for a 65-year-old non-smoker female.
| Insurance Company | Plan G Monthly Premium | Plan N Monthly Premium |
| Humana | $361 | $278 |
| UnitedHealthcare | $128 | $103 |
| Cigna | $210 | $144 |
| Physicians Mutual | $101 | — |
Medicare Eligibility in Arizona
What makes you eligible for Medicare in Alabama? Medicare has the same eligibility criteria across all the States, including Arizona. You qualify for Medicare if:
- You are 65 years old or above.
- You have a medical disability.
- You have end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
- You have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
You are eligible for Medicare if the Social Security Administration approves you based on your age or a qualifying disability.
Enrollment Period for Medicare in Arizona
The best time to purchase a Medigap policy in Arizona is during the Open Enrollment Period. Medicare has two additional enrollment periods besides open enrollment: the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) and the General Enrollment Period (GEP).
Each year, from October 15 to December 7, you can enroll in, switch, or drop your Medicare coverage. If you’re under 65 and qualify for Medicare due to a disability or End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), you may not be able to purchase the Medigap policy you prefer—or any Medigap policy at all—until you turn 65.
Apart from the Open Enrollment Period, you can also enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). This 7-month period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after you turn 65. If you have not been enrolled in Medicare before, this is your first opportunity to sign up.
If you miss your IEP, you can still apply for Medicare during the General Enrollment Period (GEP), which runs from January 1 to March 31 every year. This period also allows you to change your Medicare plans. For instance, if you have a Medicare Advantage plan but prefer to switch to Original Medicare, you can do so during this timeframe.
Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plans in Arizona
Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona can gain significant advantages through a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, which helps fill the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare. With rising healthcare costs in the state, Medigap plans to provide financial relief to seniors facing high out-of-pocket expenses.
Arizona has ten standard Medigap plans, each offering different levels of coverage. This allows residents to choose a plan that aligns with their healthcare needs and financial situation. The most popular plans in Arizona are Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N, with Plan G being the preferred option for new enrollees.
Key benefits include:
- Covers Medicare out-of-pocket costs, including copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, reducing financial burdens.
- No network restrictions — Medigap beneficiaries can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
- Essential for retirees and snowbirds — Arizona has a large retiree population, and Medigap plans offer nationwide coverage, which is crucial for those who split time between states.
- Foreign travel emergency coverage — many Medigap plans cover 80% of foreign travel emergency costs up to the plan limits.
Since Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, the benefits remain the same across different insurers. For example, all Plan G policies offer identical coverage, regardless of the provider. This makes selecting a plan easier, as beneficiaries only need to compare premiums, insurer ratings, and additional perks.
Another significant advantage of Medigap in Arizona is the ability to choose any healthcare provider that accepts Medicare. Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, which often limit beneficiaries to specific networks, Medigap allows seniors more freedom in selecting their doctors and hospitals. This is particularly important in rural areas of Arizona, where specialist availability may be limited.
With rising medical expenses in Arizona, Medigap plans provide essential financial protection for seniors, ensuring they receive the care they need without excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Resources for Medicare in Arizona
Numerous organizations across Arizona help resolve Medicare queries and streamline this complex process for you.
| Organization | How you can get help | Website & Contact Info |
| Arizona Department of Economic Security | The Arizona Department of Economic Security administers Medicare assistance programs such as SHIP and SMP. This department’s primary aim is to help Arizona’s senior residents achieve their full potential, which encompasses providing access to resources for making informed healthcare decisions, including those related to Medicare. | Website | (877) 600-2722 |
| Senior Medicare Patrol | The Arizona Department of Economic Security provides access to the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), a program designed to help you prevent, detect, and report healthcare fraud. The SMP delivers outreach, counseling, and education to senior adults through trained volunteers. | Website | (800) 432-4040 |
| Area Agency on Aging | There are eight Area Agencies on Aging in Arizona, covering every region in the State. These organizations can link you to one of their regional agencies, each offering a broad range of services tailored for senior adults. These agencies aim to help individuals aged 60 and above preserve their health and independence. This includes providing resources to help you understand the Medicare enrollment process, with counselors on hand to help you fully understand the benefits available. | Website | (602) 264-4357 |
Choose the Best Medicare Supplement Plan With Silveredge in Arizona
The State of Arizona has plenty of healthcare facilities assisting older adults with healthcare bills. These facilities provide comprehensive inpatient and outpatient care coverage.
As there are numerous Medigap policies available in the region, enrolling yourself into a plan that best suits your needs is quite a task. You can simplify this process for you or your loved ones by seeking expert advice from licensed advisors at Silveredge.
Services such as Silveredge are a one-stop solution to all your Medicare queries. Make an informed decision by contacting Silveredge today for unbiased advice. You can compare plans, check availability, and look into premiums. Resolve your Medicare queries today!
