States have rules and regulations that determine the cost of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. But, there are factors an applicant can control to influence their Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan’s rate.
The age of a person when they originally applied for Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans can effect their rate. The older a person is when they apply for a policy, the more they will pay. Gender can also affect Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. Traditionally, women have paid less for their policies. But, in recent years, some states have adopted uni-sex rates. This enables both sexes to pay the same amount. The uni-sex rule is required in some states, or, the decision to offer uni-sex coverage is left to the insurance provider.
The location where an applicant lives can affect the cost of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. Factors that influence the cost of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans include the type of coverage mandated by state law, the cost of local medical care, and demographics. Providers will also base the rate of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans on the zip code where an applicant lives. This could make rates higher in some areas of a state.
Applicants with pre-exisiting conditions have higher Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. And, health factors such as diet, height and weight, or whether a person drinks or smokes can contribute to the rate they pay. If a person has severe health related problems they should apply during open enrollment to avoid answering health related questions.
The financial stability of the insurance provider can have an influence on the rate of Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plans. A high number of claims and bad company investments can raise the price of policies.