
Household discount Medicare supplement plans are a type of insurance that can help reduce healthcare costs for married couples and other household members.
These plans are designed to work in conjunction with Medicare, the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities.
You can save up to 50% on your Medicare supplement premiums by enrolling in a household discount plan, depending on the insurance company and your specific situation.
This discount can add up to significant savings over time, making it easier to manage healthcare expenses.
Eligibility and Requirements
To qualify for a household discount, you must live in the same household as someone else who has a Medicare Supplement plan. This can be a spouse, partner, or even a roommate.
You don't have to be related to the other person to qualify for the discount, as long as you live together in a single-family home, condo, or apartment unit. However, assisted living facilities, group homes, and nursing homes do not qualify as households.
Here are some specific requirements to keep in mind:
- You must apply for a Medigap plan at the same time as another Medicare-eligible adult or the other Medicare-eligible adult must currently be covered by a Medicare Supplement with the company.
- The Medicare-eligible adult must be either your spouse, someone with whom you are in a civil union partnership, or a permanent resident in your home.
- Both new and current members qualify for the household discount.
Typical Eligibility Requirements
You must apply for a Medigap plan at the same time as another Medicare-eligible adult or the other Medicare-eligible adult must currently be covered by a Medicare Supplement with the company.
To be eligible for a household discount, you don't have to be related to the other person, but you do have to live in the same household.
A household is defined as a single-family home, condo, or apartment unit within a complex. This can be a great opportunity to save money on your Medigap plan if you're living with a roommate or significant other.
You can qualify for a household discount even if you're not married to the other person. You could be living with a sibling, an adult child, a roommate, or a significant other.
Here are some examples of household arrangements that qualify for a discount:
The household discount will only be applicable if a policy for each applicant is issued. This means that if you're applying for a Medigap plan with a household discount, both you and the other eligible adult must be approved for a policy.
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New Members
As a new member, you'll be happy to know that you can apply for a household discount when you sign up for your plan. This discount will be applied automatically to both of your plans.
You'll need some information from your household member to complete the application. If they're applying for a Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plan at the same time, you'll need their first and last name, as well as their Social Security number.
If your household member already has a Blue Cross Medicare Supplement or Legacy Medigap plan, you'll need their first and last name and Enrollee ID.
You can apply for the discount by filling out the online application (PDF) or by downloading and filling out the paper application (PDF) and sending it to us at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Mail Code J200, P.O. Box 44407, Detroit, MI 48224-0407.
If you need help with the application process, don't worry – we're just a phone call away.
Related reading: Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement Application
Medigap Plans and Companies
Accendo offers the highest household discount in the industry, with a 14% drop in price. Most companies range from 5% to 7%, so this is a great deal.
Household discount requirements vary from carrier to carrier and state to state. Some carriers require you to reside with someone who also has a Medicare Supplement policy with the carrier.
To qualify for the household discount, you may need to reside with someone who meets certain criteria, such as being 60 or older, or being at least 18 years old. In some cases, you can qualify for the HHD just by living with someone else, without needing to be married.
Here are some examples of household discount requirements:
- Must reside with someone who also has a Medicare Supplement policy with the carrier
- Must reside with your spouse, or, for the last 12 months, have resided with an adult who is 60 or older
- Must reside with someone at least 18 years or older
- Must reside with someone at least 50 years old
- Must reside with your spouse, civil union partner, or domestic partner, or, for the past 12 months, resided with at least 1 but no more than 3 other household residents
Medigap Companies Offering Plans
Accendo is offering the highest household discount in the industry, with a 14% drop in price.
Most Medigap companies offer a household discount, but the percentage varies. Some companies offer a 5% discount, while others offer up to 7%.
Accendo's 14% household discount is a great deal, especially for large families or households with multiple seniors.
If you're looking for a Medigap plan, be sure to ask about household discounts when comparing rates.
Consider reading: Medicare Supplement Providers
Variations
The requirements for a Medigap Household Discount can vary greatly between carriers and states. Some carriers require you to reside with someone who also has a Medicare Supplement policy with the carrier.
One of the hardest parts about comparing Medigap quotes is that household discount requirements can vary from carrier to carrier and state to state. You can't assume the same requirements will apply with each carrier.
Here are some examples of how HHD requirements can vary:
- Must reside with someone who also has a Medicare Supplement policy with the carrier
- Must reside with your spouse, or, for the last 12 months, have resided with an adult who is 60 or older
- Must reside with someone at least 18 years or older
- Must reside with someone at least 50 years old
- Must reside with your spouse, civil union partner, or domestic partner, or, for the past 12 months, resided with at least 1 but no more than 3 other household residents
Some carriers are more lenient, allowing you to qualify for the HHD just by living with someone else, regardless of marital status or policy ownership. However, this may not be the case in all states due to regulations.
Additional
If you're looking for ways to save money on your Medicare supplement, you're in luck. There are several additional discounts available that can help you reduce your premium costs.
Some Medigap providers offer a discount if you set up autopay, usually around $2 or $3 a month. This can add up over time, so it's worth exploring.
You may also be eligible for a discount if you pay your annual premium in full, which can save you 10% off your premium.
If you're new to Medicare, you can receive discounts up to $30 off for the first 12 months if you enroll with Medigap within 6 months of your Part B effective date.
Here are some additional discounts to consider:
- Roommate Discount: Some insurance providers offer a discount if you live with someone.
- Activity Tracker Discount: Link your favorite activity tracker when you enroll in your plan and get 5% off your premium.
- Gym Membership: Some Medigap providers offer discounted or free gym memberships through programs like the "silver sneaker."
Potential Savings and Benefits
You could save thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement with a household discount on Medicare Supplement plans.
Some insurance companies offer discounts as high as 12%, which is a sizable savings.
You don't have to be married to take advantage of this discount, younger spouses can also qualify when they take out their own Medigap plan.
The industry average for a household discount is usually 5% to 7%, but one insurance provider is now offering 15% off.
What is typical?
Typical Household Discounts are usually around 5% to 7% off your insurance premium.
The industry average for Household discounts is indeed 5% to 7%, which can add up to significant savings over time.
There is one non-advertised plan that offers a higher discount of 15%, but you'll need to use the instant quote tool or call to learn more about it.
This higher discount is a great incentive, but it's not widely advertised, so you'll need to do some digging to find out more.
Potential Savings
You could save thousands of dollars over the course of your retirement with a household discount on Medicare Supplement plans.
Some companies offer discounts as high as 12%, which can make a big difference in your savings.
Not all companies offer household discounts, but all the ones TMA Insurance Trust will quote you offer sizable discounts.
If you have a younger spouse, you may become eligible for the household discount when they take out their own Medigap plan.
You don't have to select the same Medigap plan, just choose the same insurance company.
The industry average for an HH discount is usually 5% to 7%, but some providers offer more.
One company is now offering a 15% discount, but you'll have to use their instant quote or give them a call to learn more.
Want to find out who has the best Household discount in your area? Just get an instant Medigap Quote here.
Cheat Sheet
We've got you covered with our Household Discount Cheat Sheet, a quick-reference guide to help you navigate the different requirements for each state.
It's a one-stop-shop for all the most popular Medicare Supplement carriers, listing the company, discount percentage, and requirements for each.
We currently have cheat sheets for 19 states, with more to come based on your requests.
Here are the states we currently have cheat sheets for:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Michigan
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Wyoming
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