What is Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It usually combines Part A, Part B, and often Part D prescription drug coverage.

What is the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage?

Original Medicare is run by the federal government and lets you use any provider that accepts Medicare. Medicare Advantage is offered by private insurers and often uses provider networks.

What is Medicare Supplement or Medigap?

Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, works with Original Medicare to help reduce out-of-pocket costs. It can help cover certain copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Does Medigap include prescription drug coverage?

Medigap plans sold today do not include prescription drug coverage. Most people need a separate Medicare Part D plan for medications.

What is Medicare Part D?

Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. It helps cover medication costs based on the plan’s formulary.

When is the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period?

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period usually runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this time, many people can review or change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans.

Can I switch Medicare Advantage plans later?

Yes, but timing matters. Most people can switch during Annual Enrollment, Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment, or a qualifying Special Enrollment Period.

What is the difference between HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans?

HMO plans usually require in-network care and may need referrals. PPO plans generally offer more provider flexibility but may cost more for out-of-network care.

Do Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization?

Many Medicare Advantage plans require prior authorization for certain services. This can include imaging, surgeries, skilled nursing care, or other covered treatments.

Do Medicare Advantage plans have an out-of-pocket limit?

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans include an annual maximum out-of-pocket limit for covered medical services. Original Medicare does not include this protection by itself.

Why do Medicare plans change every year?

Plans may update premiums, copays, drug formularies, provider networks, and benefits each year. Reviewing your plan annually helps avoid unexpected changes.

How can I find a Medicare plan that includes my doctor?

You should check the plan’s provider network before enrolling. A local Medicare agent can help confirm whether your doctors and hospitals are included.

IRMAA is an income-related adjustment that can increase Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. It is based on your reported income from prior tax years.

What is a Special Enrollment Period?

A Special Enrollment Period allows certain Medicare changes outside normal enrollment windows. Qualifying events may include moving, losing coverage, or plan changes.

Why work with a local Medicare agent?

A local Medicare agent can help compare plan options, explain networks, and review coverage based on your area. This can make Medicare decisions easier to understand.

Medicare Supplement Plans in Lindenhurst, NY: 2026 Rates, Carriers, and the Real Story About Your Options

July 16, 2026

By Paul Barrett, CMIP | The Modern Medicare Agency | Melville, NY 18+ years Medicare-exclusive experience | Licensed in 37 states | 40+ carriers Last updated: July 2026

If you’ve been looking at Medicare Supplement plans for Lindenhurst, you’ve probably found pages that list rates, use the word “Medigap” a lot, and eventually ask you to enter your ZIP code.

This isn’t one of those pages.

This is the honest guide to what Medigap actually looks like for Lindenhurst residents in 2026 — including which carriers are genuinely enrolling, which aren’t, what the July 1, 2026 DFS-updated rates are, why this market is more constrained than most people realize, and why having a Medigap plan has taken on new meaning in Lindenhurst this year given what’s happened with Medicare Advantage networks at your two local hospital systems.

I’m Paul Barrett. My office is in Melville — minutes from Lindenhurst. I’ve been doing Medicare exclusively for 18 years. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Medigap Matters Differently in Lindenhurst in 2026

Lindenhurst sits between two major hospital systems: Good Samaritan University Hospital (Catholic Health) to the west and South Shore University Hospital — Northwell Health — to the east. Both are nationally recognized cardiac centers. Both are minutes from your front door.

In 2026, two major Medicare Advantage carriers lost their Northwell contracts. Wellcare’s Northwell contract terminated July 1, 2026. HealthSpring’s Northwell contract terminated December 31, 2025. Residents on those plans who use South Shore University Hospital or the Northwell GoHealth Urgent Care in Lindenhurst have been dealing with out-of-network cost-sharing — some without realizing it.

With a Medigap plan, none of that matters.

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare. Any provider who accepts Medicare accepts your Medigap coverage — Good Samaritan, South Shore University Hospital, any Northwell facility, any Catholic Health facility, any hospital anywhere in the country. No carrier-hospital contract to renegotiate. No letter telling you your provider left your network. No prior authorization for most services.

That structural protection has always been Medigap’s core value proposition. In 2026 in Lindenhurst — with two major Northwell exits already on the books — it’s more tangible than ever.

What Is Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

Original Medicare — Parts A and B — covers most healthcare costs but leaves meaningful gaps. You pay 20% of every Part B service with no annual cap. You pay a $1,736 hospital deductible per benefit period in 2026. Skilled nursing facility care costs $217.00/day for days 21–100. These gaps can be significant in a bad health year.

A Medicare Supplement plan — called Medigap — fills those gaps. Private insurance companies sell Medigap plans that coordinate with Original Medicare to cover most or all of what Medicare leaves behind. You keep your Medicare card. You see any Medicare-accepting provider anywhere in the country. The Medigap plan pays the gaps.

Medigap does NOT include prescription drugs. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for medications. See our Medicare Part D guide for Lindenhurst for the complete picture.

New York's Rules: What Makes Lindenhurst Different From Most States

New York operates under Medigap rules that are dramatically more consumer-friendly than most of the country — and dramatically more expensive as a result.

Community Rating Every carrier must charge the same premium for a given plan regardless of your age, gender, or health status. A 65-year-old in Lindenhurst and an 82-year-old in West Islip pay exactly the same Plan G premium from the same carrier. No ZIP code variations within the Long Island rating region.

Year-Round Guaranteed Issue New York requires every Medigap carrier to accept any Medicare enrollee’s application at any time, 365 days a year, with no health questions and no ability to deny coverage based on health history. This is one of the most powerful consumer protections in insurance — and it’s unique to a small number of states.

What this means right now for Lindenhurst residents: If you’re currently on a Wellcare or HealthSpring Medicare Advantage plan and your Northwell access has been disrupted — you can switch to Medigap today. This week. No health exam. No waiting period. New York’s year-round guaranteed issue makes that option permanently available to you.

The trade-off: Because carriers must accept everyone regardless of health, sicker people who use coverage heavily disproportionately hold Medigap plans, driving claims — and premiums — up for everyone. New York is the most expensive Medigap market in the country. That is the direct cost of the strongest consumer protections.

2026 Long Island Rate Tables: Official DFS Figures

These are the official rates from the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS), effective July 1, 2026, for the Long Island rating region (ZIP codes beginning with 110 and 115–119). Lindenhurst ZIP 11757 falls within this region.

Every carrier charges one flat rate across all of Long Island. There are no ZIP code variations within the rating region.

PLAN G — Long Island Monthly Premiums (July 1, 2026)

Carrier	Monthly Premium	Actually Enrolling?
UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program)	$372.50	✅ Yes — requires AARP membership
Aetna Life Insurance	$406.26	⛔ Not currently accepting individual NY enrollments
EmblemHealth Plan, Inc.	$393.72	⚠️ Direct/mail enrollment only — no agent access — AM Best C rating
Transamerica Financial	Not listed	⚠️ No longer accepts individual applications in NY — group/association only
Globe Life Insurance	$461.00	✅ Limited availability
Mutual of Omaha	$511.36	✅ Yes — priced above competitive range for Long Island
Humana	$709.98	✅ Yes — significantly above market on Long Island
Bankers Conseco	$840.28	✅ Yes — effectively priced out of market

Source: NY Department of Financial Services, Community Rated Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Tables, July 1, 2026

The spread that tells the whole story: UHC at $372.50 vs. Bankers Conseco at $840.28 — $467.78/month or $5,613/year for identical federal coverage. Same benefits. Same legal protections. Different price tags.

Important Humana note: Humana’s Plan G on Long Island is $709.98/month as of July 2026 — up from $647.27 in April 2026. That’s a significant mid-year increase. If you have a Humana Medigap plan, contact me immediately to review your options.

HIGH DEDUCTIBLE PLAN G (Plan G+) — Long Island Monthly Premiums (July 1, 2026)

Carrier	Monthly Premium	Actually Enrolling?
EmblemHealth Plan, Inc.	$61.67	⚠️ Direct/mail only — no agent access — AM Best C rating
Bankers Conseco	$75.69	✅ Available
Globe Life Insurance	$91.00	✅ Available
Humana	$106.34	✅ Available

Source: NY DFS July 1, 2026. Note: UnitedHealthcare does not appear in the Long Island HD Plan G table in the current DFS filing. Contact me for current UHC HD Plan G availability.

PLAN K — Long Island Monthly Premiums (July 1, 2026)

Carrier	Monthly Premium
UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program)	$113.75
Bankers Conseco	$139.97
Globe Life Insurance	$175.00
Humana	$200.86

PLAN L — Long Island Monthly Premiums (July 1, 2026)

Carrier	Monthly Premium
UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program)	$230.75
Bankers Conseco	$322.45
Humana	$286.85
Globe Life Insurance	$311.00

PLAN M — Long Island Monthly Premiums (July 1, 2026)

Carrier	Monthly Premium
Mutual of Omaha	$526.10
Bankers Conseco	$446.64

PLAN N — Long Island Monthly Premiums

Note: Plan N is not shown in the July 1, 2026 DFS table uploaded for this update. Previous April 2026 DFS-confirmed figures: UHC $299.00 / EmblemHealth $314.77. Verify current rates at dfs.ny.gov before enrolling.

The Carrier Reality: Who's Actually Available in Lindenhurst

The rate tables tell half the story. The other half is who’s actually open for business.

UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program) — The Only Realistic Primary Option Holds approximately 70%+ of the New York Medigap market. Despite a significant rate increase approved by the NY DFS for 2026, UHC remains the lowest-priced carrier for Plan G on Long Island at $372.50/month — and their Plan N at $299.00 is the lowest accessible through an independent broker. Requires AARP membership (approximately $16/year). UHC builds an enrollment discount into their starting premium that erodes over time — ask about long-term rate trajectory, not just today’s rate.

Aetna Life Insurance — Listed But Not Enrolling Aetna appears on the DFS rate table at $406.26 for Plan G. However, Aetna is currently not accepting individual Medigap enrollments in New York. The rate exists on paper. The enrollment door is closed.

EmblemHealth — Enrollment Friction and Financial Concern EmblemHealth has deep New York roots (the former GHI and HIP), but their current Medigap operation operates without an external sales team and does not allow licensed agents to offer their plans. The only enrollment path is downloading a paper application directly from EmblemHealth and mailing it in. Additionally, EmblemHealth carries an AM Best financial strength rating of C — the lowest in this analysis — a meaningful concern for a policy you may hold for 20+ years. Their Plan G at $393.72 is closer to UHC than most carriers, but the enrollment friction and C rating make them difficult to recommend for most Lindenhurst clients.

Transamerica — No Longer Available to Individuals in NY Transamerica no longer accepts individual Medicare Supplement applications in New York as of May 2026. They only enroll through specific affiliated associations or groups. They do not appear in the July 2026 DFS table as a result.

Mutual of Omaha — Strong Nationally, Priced Out Locally An A+ Superior AM Best rating and excellent national claims reputation. Their Long Island Plan G at $511.36 is $138.86/month more than UHC for identical coverage — $1,666/year more for the same benefits. In markets where UHC isn’t dominant, Mutual of Omaha is often the right answer. On Long Island, the premium gap is too wide for most Lindenhurst clients to justify.

Humana — Not Competitive in This Market Humana’s Plan G has risen to $709.98/month on Long Island as of July 2026 — up from $647.27 in April. That’s $337.48/month more than UHC for identical coverage. Over $4,000/year more for the same Plan G. Humana is not positioned to compete for new Medigap enrollments in the New York market right now, and this mid-year rate increase confirms it.

Bankers Conseco — Enrollment Suppression in Plain Sight $840.28/month for Plan G. More than double UHC’s rate for identical coverage. This is not a competitive offering — it’s a price that signals a carrier not seeking enrollment.

Globe Life — Limited but Available Globe Life offers Plan G at $461.00/month and HD Plan G at $91.00/month on Long Island. Limited market presence but technically available. Worth checking for specific plan types where UHC doesn’t have an offering.

The honest picture: When you remove carriers that aren’t accepting individual enrollments (Aetna, Transamerica), the one with an AM Best C rating and no agent access (EmblemHealth for most clients), and those priced far above the market (Humana, Bankers Conseco) — Lindenhurst residents choosing a Medigap plan are essentially choosing between UnitedHealthcare and a short list of secondary options. That is the real state of the Long Island Medigap market.

The Three Plans Worth Understanding

Plan G — Maximum Protection Covers virtually everything Original Medicare doesn’t pay, with one exception: the annual Part B deductible of $283 in 2026. After you pay that once per year, your out-of-pocket on covered services is essentially zero.

What Plan G covers:

100% of Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period)
100% of hospital coinsurance days 61–90 and lifetime reserve days
100% of skilled nursing facility coinsurance ($217.00/day, days 21–100)
100% of Part B coinsurance (the 20%)
100% of Part B excess charges
80% of emergency care outside the US (up to $50,000 lifetime)

Total annual cost for a Lindenhurst Plan G enrollee (UHC, lowest available):

Cost Component	Annual Amount
Plan G premium (UHC)	$372.50 × 12 = $4,470
Part B premium (standard 2026)	$202.90 × 12 = $2,434.80
Part B deductible	$283
Part D plan (estimated)	~$200–$400+
Minimum annual commitment	~$7,387+
Out-of-pocket on covered services	$0 after deductible

Source: CMS official 2026 Part B premium $202.90/month confirmed November 14, 2025 CMS fact sheet. Part D estimate based on lowest-cost plans available in ZIP 11757.

Plan N — Lower Premium, Small Copays Same core coverage as Plan G with two differences: up to $20 for office visits, up to $50 for ER visits that don’t result in admission. UHC Plan N runs $299.00/month — $73.50/month less than Plan G, saving $882/year.

Key New York fact: NY prohibits Medicare excess charges. Plan N’s lack of excess charge coverage is completely irrelevant in this state. Lindenhurst residents on Plan N face no exposure to excess charges at Good Samaritan, South Shore University Hospital, or any other New York provider.

Break-even: $882 annual savings ÷ $20 per office visit = 44 visits per year to break even. For most healthy retirees seeing their doctor a normal number of times annually, Plan N’s savings are real and compelling.

High Deductible Plan G (Plan G+) — For the Healthy Cost-Conscious Enrollee Provides the same ultimate coverage as standard Plan G but requires you to pay all Medicare-covered costs until you reach the annual deductible of $2,950 in 2026. After that, everything Plan G covers applies fully.

Monthly premiums drop dramatically — EmblemHealth lists $61.67/month on Long Island (though with their enrollment friction and C rating, verify alternatives). The annual premium savings versus standard Plan G can be $1,500–$2,500 or more.

The Lindenhurst case for HD Plan G: If you want Medigap’s unconditional provider access — covering both Good Samaritan AND South Shore University Hospital with no network restrictions — but you’re generally healthy and don’t expect to regularly hit significant Medicare costs, HD Plan G gives you that structural protection at a dramatically lower monthly premium. The break-even question: will you spend $2,950 in Medicare-covered services in a typical year? For many healthy retirees, the honest answer is no.

The Rate Increase Story

New York Medigap rates have been rising significantly. The key 2026 facts:

UHC received NY DFS approval for a 17.8% rate increase for 2026 — the largest single-year approved increase in recent New York memory
Humana’s Long Island Plan G rose from $647.27 (April) to $709.98 (July) — a mid-year increase of $62.71/month, $752.52/year
Despite the UHC increase, UHC remains the lowest-priced Plan G and Plan N carrier on Long Island — which tells you how expensive the alternatives are

The structural problem: With UHC holding 70%+ market share and being the lowest-priced option available, there’s effectively nowhere to go when their rates rise. Switching to a competitor typically means paying more for the same coverage. This is the concentrated-market reality for Lindenhurst Medigap enrollees.

What to do if your rate went up: The most productive conversation is usually about plan type rather than carrier switching. Moving from Plan G to Plan N (saving $882/year) or from standard Plan G to HD Plan G (saving potentially $1,500–$2,500/year) may produce more meaningful savings than carrier shopping in this market.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: The Lindenhurst Decision

Factor	Medigap + Part D	Medicare Advantage
Monthly premium	$570–$800+ (Medigap + Part B + Part D)	Often $0 beyond Part B
Out-of-pocket when you USE care	$0 after Part B deductible (Plan G)	Up to $8,722 avg. MOOP in Suffolk
Good Samaritan coverage	✅ Always — no network	Depends on carrier
South Shore University Hospital coverage	✅ Always — no network	⛔ Wellcare/HealthSpring lost Northwell 2026
Works in all 50 states	✅ Yes	Generally limited to plan network
Dental/vision included	❌ No — buy separately	Often included
Prior authorization	Minimal for most services	More common
Best for	Complex conditions, multi-system care, travelers, peace of mind	Generally healthy, consolidated providers, cost-conscious

For many Lindenhurst residents the decision isn’t obvious — and shouldn’t be made without running the real numbers for your specific health situation, providers, and medications. That’s the conversation I have with every client before I recommend anything.

Frequently Asked Questions: Medigap in Lindenhurst, NY

Can I be denied a Medicare Supplement plan in New York? No. New York law requires every Medigap carrier to accept any Medicare enrollee at any time of year, with no health questions and no ability to deny based on health history. This applies 365 days per year. One of only a handful of states with this protection.

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap right now? Yes — at any time of year in New York, without medical underwriting. If you’re on a Wellcare or HealthSpring plan and concerned about your Northwell/South Shore University Hospital access, you can switch to Medigap today. Call me at 631-358-5793.

Does Medigap cover both Good Samaritan and South Shore University Hospital? Yes — completely. With any Medigap plan, both Good Samaritan (Catholic Health) and South Shore University Hospital (Northwell) are covered — because both accept Original Medicare, and Medigap pays the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. No network restrictions, no carrier-hospital contracts to worry about.

What does Plan G cost in Lindenhurst in 2026? Per the NY DFS July 1, 2026 rate table, the lowest Plan G available in the Long Island rating region (which includes Lindenhurst ZIP 11757) is UnitedHealthcare (AARP Program) at $372.50/month. This is a flat rate across all of Long Island — the same in Lindenhurst as in Commack, Bay Shore, or Farmingdale.

What is the cheapest Medigap plan available in Lindenhurst? High Deductible Plan G provides the lowest monthly premiums among the available plan types. EmblemHealth lists $61.67/month for HD Plan G on Long Island — but their enrollment process (mail-only, no agent access) and AM Best C rating are significant concerns. Call me for current alternatives and the complete picture before enrolling in any HD Plan G.

Did Humana’s Medigap rates go up again in 2026? Yes. Humana’s Plan G on Long Island rose to $709.98/month as of July 1, 2026 — up from $647.27 in April 2026. If you’re on a Humana Medigap plan, you may have received a notice. Call me to review whether any alternatives make sense given the mid-year increase and your specific health situation.

Why are Medigap rates so high in New York? New York’s guaranteed issue rules create an adverse selection dynamic — sicker people who will use coverage heavily are more motivated to hold Medigap, driving average claims and premiums up for everyone. Limited carrier competition (most carriers either don’t operate here or are priced non-competitively) means less market pressure to hold rates down. New York is consistently the most expensive Medigap market in the country. That’s the direct cost of having the strongest consumer protections.

How do I find the current rates for my specific ZIP code? The NY DFS publishes official rate tables and a rate lookup tool at myportal.dfs.ny.gov. Or call me — I pull current rates across every carrier available in your ZIP code at no charge, explain what’s actually accessible and what isn’t, and give you my honest recommendation. That conversation is always free.

Ready to Talk?

My office is in Melville — minutes from Lindenhurst. I’ve been doing this on the South Shore since 2007. I know both local hospital systems. I know the carrier reality behind the DFS rate tables. And I’ll give you the same honest assessment I’d give a family member.

No pressure. No scripts. No disappearing after enrollment.

Paul Barrett, CMIP The Modern Medicare Agency

631-358-5793 “tel:+16313585793”

medicare@paulbinsurance.com

paulbinsurance.com

445 Broad Hollow Rd, Melville, NY 11747

Licensed in 37 states | 40+ carriers | 18+ years Medicare-exclusive experience | 5,000+ clients served

Related guides:

Primary sources:

NY DFS — Medicare Supplement Premium Comparison Tables, July 1, 2026
NY DFS Rate Lookup Tool
CMS 2026 Medicare Costs
Medicare.gov — Medigap Plan Benefits
Medicare.gov — Ready to Buy Medigap
Northwell Health — Wellcare Network Update
[HealthSpring Broker Communication — Northwell Termination December 31, 2025]
Good Samaritan University Hospital — About
South Shore University Hospital — About

Disclaimer: The Modern Medicare Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Premium data reflects NY DFS published rate tables effective July 1, 2026, subject to change. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Carrier enrollment availability reflects conditions as of July 2026. Verify current rates and enrollment status at dfs.ny.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE before making any coverage decisions.