Medicare Supplements: Attained-Age vs. Issue-Age vs. Community-Rated Policy

The Attained-Age, Issue-Age, and Community-Rated Policies are the insurance companies’ pricing methods to determine how much they should charge you for your Medicare Supplement plan.

That’s why when you choose a Medicare Supplement, you need to compare the rates of each insurance company you look at and determine which one has the most competitive, lowest rate increases. However, it’s important to note that each policy will come with rate increases over time.

To understand how each policy can impact your premium, let’s take a look at what each policy uses as determining factors to increase the costs.

Attained-Age Policy

The Attained-Age Policy is a pricing structure that bases premiums on the age of the beneficiary. The plan will more than likely be lower than other policies when you first enroll, but keep in mind that the premiums will continue to increase as you become older.

Attained-Age Policies are also the most common pricing structured policies in the U.S.

Issue-Age Policy

The Issue-Age Policy is a pricing structure that, at the time you buy the policy, your premium will be based on your age. However, as you get older, your premium will never go up because of your age. Instead, your premium increase will be based on other factors, such as inflation.

Community-Rated Policy

Just like an Issue-Age Policy, the rates for the Community-Rated Policy will not increase because of your age. Other factors, such as inflation or your use of tobacco, can increase your premium.

However, unlike the Attained-Age and Issue-Age Policies, the Community-Rate Policy premium will be equal for everyone within a specific area, who uses the same plan with the same carrier. The deductibles and copayments will also be equal.

Should I enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan?

If you are not enrolling in a Medicare Advantage Plan and stick with Original Medicare, then having a Medicare Supplement plan can help you pay for out-of-pocket costs. These out-of-pocket costs include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, hospital costs, and more, and can become expensive.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan once you have enrolled in Medicare Part B. You’ll be given a 6-month window in which you cannot be turned down for any health conditions, be asked any medical questions, or charged an additional premium.

Bobby Brock Insurance offers Medicare help for free! If you need help comparing Medicare Supplement plans and carriers to find which one gives you the coverage you not only want, but need, then give us a call today at 662-844-3300.