Physicians Mutual Medigap Review
Physicians Mutual Medigap plans are expensive. But the company's Innovative Plan G has low rates and good coverage.
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Editor's Rating
Physicians Mutual Medigap plans are not usually the best choice. The plans are expensive and you can get cheaper options with the same coverage from another company. But Physicians Mutual lets you switch to a different plan within two years if you don't like the one you chose. And its plans include coverage for preventive care.
Pros and cons
Pros
Sells Innovative Plan G
Good financial stability
Offers household discounts
Cons
High rates
Customer service is average
Cost of Physicians Mutual Medigap plans
Physicians Mutual Medicare Supplement plans are usually expensive.
Plan G costs an average of $175 per month from Physicians Mutual. That's $32 more per month, or $384 more per year, compared to the average in the states where Physicians Mutual sells plans. Plan G is the best Medigap plan if you're buying coverage for the first time, but Physicians Mutual isn't usually the best option.
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Physicians Mutual Medigap rates vs. regional average
Plan | Physicians Mutual | Regional average |
|---|---|---|
High-deductible G | $67 | $47 |
| High-deductible F | $71 | $52 |
| Plan N | $145 | $108 |
| Plan A | $165 | $139 |
Plan G | $175 | $143 |
All monthly rates are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke. Rates are averaged from the states in which Physicians Mutual sells Medicare Supplement policies.
But your rates also depend on where you live. If you're looking for Plan G, Physicians Mutual is a cheap choice if you live in Arizona and Missouri. Otherwise, get quotes from AARP/UnitedHealthcare, which has low rates and good service. Blue Cross Blue Shield is also popular and an option in almost every state.
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Physicians Mutual Plan G rates by state
State | Physicians Mutual rate | State rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $152 | $132 |
| Arizona | $130 | $139 |
| Arkansas | $177 | $161 |
| California | $170 | $168 |
| Colorado | $172 | $139 |
Average Plan G rates for a 65-year-old woman who does not smoke.
Physicians Mutual also sells plans in Wisconsin. But because the state structures its plans differently, Plan G isn't available. Physicians Mutual's rates for the Wisconsin Base plan are higher than average, but its rate for the high-deductible plan is average.
Where can you buy a Physicians Mutual Medigap policy?
Physicians Mutual sells Medigap plans in 30 states and Washington, D.C.
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington, D.C.
- Wisconsin
Unique features, discounts and benefits
Physicians Mutual stands out for its Innovative Rider for Plan G.
The rider gives you lower rates than a regular Plan G, but you'll have a deductible for the first three years. After three years, the deductible goes away, but you pay the same lower rate for as long as you have the policy.
Plan G policy with an Innovative Rider is a good deal if you're healthy.
An Innovative Plan G from Physicians Mutual costs $139 per month. But if you have health concerns, you may want to pick a standard Plan G, even though it's more expensive. That's because you'll pay $2,800 of your medical costs before your plan starts to pay. If you go to the doctor often or need expensive treatments, a regular Plan G is a better option.
Physicians Mutual sells two different types of Innovative Plan G. With one, your monthly rates will start off cheaper and grow more expensive as you get older. This is called an attained-age policy.
The other type of plan doesn't change prices over the years. Your rates are based on your age when you first buy the plan, called an issue-age policy. You can often save money by buying an issue-age policy when you're young. It lets you lock in a lower rate that will stay the same as you get older.
The options you have may depend on where you live.
Physicians Mutual also offers a 10% household discount, which you can get if you and your spouse both buy a plan. And if you don't like your Medigap plan, you can also switch to a new one in the first two years without a penalty. You can only change once. This lets you try out a plan and make sure it fits your needs.
Although Physicians Mutual sells dental, pet and life insurance, it does not advertise a discount for customers who buy multiple kinds of insurance.
Customer reviews and complaints
Reviews of Physicians Mutual's customer service are mixed.
Physicians Mutual's Medicare Supplement plans have good customer service, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
But Physicians Mutual has a low rating from Better Business Bureau (BBB), getting just 1.64 out of 5 stars. While most complaints aren't about its Medigap plans, the overall poor rating could mean the company's service is lacking.
Which Medigap plan is best for you?
All Medicare Supplement plans with the same letter are required to have the exact same coverage levels no matter what company sells them. For example, all Plan A policies must cover the same services. That means you should only look at price and customer satisfaction when shopping for a Medigap policy.
Physicians Mutual sells seven Medicare Supplement plans including three of the most popular options.
Medigap market share
- Plan F: 46%
- Plan G: 27%
- Plan N: 10%
Plan F and G coverage
- Medicare Parts A and B coinsurance and copays
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Hospital costs
- Extra medical charges not covered by Medicare
- Blood transfusions (up to three pints)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Plan F is so popular because it has the best coverage. However, you can only buy Plan F if you were eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020. If you qualified for Medicare on or after that date, Plan G is the best choice. It covers everything that Plan F does except for your Medicare Part B deductible.
Some Plan F holders have switched to Plan G for the lower rates. In 2024, the Medicare Part B deductible is $240. That means if you can find a Plan G that's $20 a month cheaper than your Plan F policy, you should switch your coverage to Plan G if you can. State laws may affect your ability to change policies.
The other seven Medicare Supplement plans are less popular because they give you less coverage. For example, Plan K will only reimburse you for up to half of your costs for most services. However, these plans are typically cheaper than Plan F and G. They can be a good choice for healthier people who don't need as much coverage.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare for Medicare Supplement is a better choice for Plans G and N.
Frequently asked questions
Is Physicians Mutual worth it?
Physicians Mutual is often worth it if you want an Innovative Medicare Supplement Plan G and you don't mind dealing with average levels of customer service. Because the company has high rates, it's not the best deal for other Medigap plans.
Is Physicians Mutual a reputable company?
Yes, Physicians Mutual is financially stable, and the company as a whole has fewer complaints than the industry average. Physicians Mutual was founded in 1902, and it has not suffered any major scandals in the recent past.
What is Physicians Mutual's phone number?
You can reach a Physicians Mutual customer service representative or sales agent at 800-228-9100. Medicare Supplement policies are available online or over the phone.
Sources and methodology
ValuePenguin used data from AM Best, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the creation of this review.
Rates are from actuarial data for 2024 plans sold by private insurance companies. Averages are based on rates for a 65-year-old nonsmoking woman who lives in the multistate area where Physicians Mutual operates.
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