I'm healthy and barely use my coverage, but I'm still paying more every year. Why isn't there a discount for people like me?

Question

Valentina Gatewood · Accepted Answer

Everyone has options to help with cost. We can evaluate your current cost and do a comparison to see what are the best options.

Misty Bolt · Answer

There are plans out there that will help pay for your Medicare part B. Call me and lets look at those options for you?

Steven Graves · Answer

Why There’s No Discount for Being “Healthy”
Medicare is community-rated: Especially for Part B and many Medigap plans, premiums are set based on broader risk pools—not your individual usage. Everyone pays in to help cover the collective cost of care, regardless of how often they use services.

Healthcare costs are rising: Annual increases in premiums, deductibles, and drug costs are tied to inflation in healthcare spending, not personal health.

Preventive focus: Medicare’s goal is to encourage preventive care and catch issues early—even for those who feel healthy now—so the system still encourages regular check-ins and coverage.

What You Can Do
Even though there’s no official discount for being low-risk, here are some smart strategies:

Consider a high-deductible Medigap plan (like Plan G High Deductible): You pay less in premiums and only pay more if/when you need care.

Look into Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans: Many offer low or even $0 premiums and may fit your needs if you rarely visit the doctor—but make sure to understand network and cost structures.

Review your drug coverage yearly: If you don’t take many prescriptions, you might be overpaying for a Part D plan.

Check for programs or rebates: Some Advantage plans offer “give-backs” or reimburse a portion of your Part B premium—great for low-utilizers like you.

Steven Graves
Medicare4USA.com
214-989-7900

Terri Reagin · Answer

Insurance is based on a risk pool, not just an individual person. Unfortunately, it is illegal to either discount or increase someone's rate because they are healthy or unhealthy. It is part of the legal protections in place.

Answered by Terri Reagin on July 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK, AR, CO & 6 other states

Answered by Terri Reagin Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Interesting query: Medicare, introduced in 1965, took into account that most people, as they age, will experience a deterioration of their health. This is why Medicare expects all people to pick up a Part D(rug) plan whether they take Rx’s at age 65 or not. If they fail to do that, either via an MAPD plan or a “Stand-Alone” Part D, a lifetime penalty would be applied. So, please be grateful that you are in great health. But maybe in your case, you should consider switching (during the fall Open Enrollment period with a 1/1/26 effective date) to an Advantage plan (this is free of premium due to being government-subsidized). The only downside of this plan is that there’s a deductible for hospitalization. But since you’re in such great shape, that seems unlikely to happen, right?

Answered by Steven Bleicher on June 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Diana Garner · Answer

It is very frustrating when your prms increase, but you don't use your coverage much because you are healthier than others. However, premiums are not just based on your coverage usage or your health.

Premiums can be increased over time because of several factors, including:
     1) Risk Pooling - premiums of many individuals, both healthy and unhealthy, are pooled together to cover the healthcare costs of everyone in the group.
     2) Rising healthcare costs, inflation, and administrative costs.

Discounts for healthy people are not allowed because of adverse selection. Insurance companies are not allowed to discriminate or offer extra benefits to anyone.

Michael Pyers · Answer

Because Medicare supplements are community rated. In other words, they rate according to the claims for the particular risk pool. Also they are not allowed to raise an individual based on their claim history.

Answered by Michael Pyers on June 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH & MI

Answered by Michael Pyers Medicare Insurance Agent

Dionisio Guillermo · Answer

Your cost is based on several factors such as administrative costs, risk costs, etc and the need to cover the costs of those who n do require extensive medical care. Even the healthy Medicare members contribute to the pool to ensure that those who need more care can receive it.

Answered by Dionisio Guillermo on May 30, 2025

Agent Licensed in HI

Answered by Dionisio Guillermo Medicare Insurance Agent

Fred Manas · Answer

The reasons behind increasing health insurance premiums, even for those who are healthy and rarely use their coverage, are complex. Several factors contribute to these rising costs.
Risk Pooling: Health insurance operates on the principle of risk pooling. This means that the premiums paid by all insured individuals contribute to a fund that covers the healthcare expenses of those who need it. Healthy individuals subsidize the costs for those who are less healthy.
Community Rating: The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires community rating. This means that insurance companies generally cannot charge individuals different premiums based on their health status or pre-existing conditions.
Age: Age is a factor in determining premiums. Older individuals generally pay more because they are statistically more likely to have health issues and require more healthcare services.
Inflation and Healthcare Costs: Healthcare costs have consistently increased due to factors like the rising prices of medical services, prescription drugs, and technology.
Coverage and Benefits: The scope of coverage and the benefits offered by a health insurance plan also affect the premium costs. Plans with more comprehensive benefits tend to have higher premiums.
Cost-Sharing: Plans have cost-sharing features like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. These require the insured to pay a portion of their healthcare costs, which affects the overall premium. 
It's important to note that, while a healthy individual may feel they are subsidizing others, the system is designed to spread risk and ensure access to care for everyone.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Insurance companies set pricing and they typically do it based on where you live. It's based on your ZIP code and your age. Way you can offset this is by looking at other alternative plans that are lower cost for supplement plans which I can help you with. And as long as you're healthy enough to pass the underwriting, you'll be able to get another plan. If you live in a state that has special rules where they cannot deny you coverage, we can look at that also 
Give me a call at 737-530 -4626 pick option two. That is my direct number and if I'm busy leave a message and I'll call you back

Carol Thompson · Answer

That depends on the type of plan you are on, sounds like a med supplement as may increase each year as you age. 

You could consider getting onto a Medicare advantage plan where you pay your part B monthly (required) and only pay as you go to seek medical care.

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

Medicare doesn't give discounts to the healthy,  unfortunately. Medicare has set regulations and rules and doesn't offer discounts. That would possibly make the system more complicated.

Todd Bostic · Answer

Federal law requires that each person have part D coverage in case they need medicine You automatically are enrolled in Part A, and if you have worked enough quarters, you qualify for Part B. Once you qualify for Part B, that qualifies you for Part D as well. My opinion is to verify the plan is the right one for you.

Answered by Todd Bostic on July 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AZ & 12 other states

Answered by Todd Bostic Medicare Insurance Agent

Linda Davies · Answer

Even if you don't utilize your Medicare plan extensively, the rising costs of healthcare overall, the increasing number of Medicare beneficiaries, and the program's funding structure contribute to annual premium increases. 

If you're concerned about your Medicare costs, here are some recommendations:

1. Review your income and consider strategies to manage it to potentially reduce IRMAA.

2. Contact Medicare or a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for assistance.

3. Explore Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) if you have limited income and resources.

4. Consider private options like Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) or Medigap plans to help manage out-of-pocket expenses.

Andre Cabral · Answer

As far as Original Medicare Part B, the only way to reduce the monthly premium is to being eligible for L.I.S. (low income subsidy) or for Medicaid. Medicare Advantage covers parts A and B, prescription drugs and some additional benefits at no cost, for certain plans. Consult an agent.

Answered by Andre Cabral on April 16, 2025

Agent Licensed in NJ

Answered by Andre Cabral Medicare Insurance Agent

William Scott · Answer

Medicare Supplement Plans are annual. You have the option of changing plans every year between Oct. 15th and Dec. 7th of every year. That is the Open Enrollment Period. 

Instead of looking for a discount plan, lets find a plan that's going to address your needs and your budget so there are no surprises you're stuck with for the next year. Lets have a no cost conversation around Oct. 1st. so that we can find the right plan for you.

Robert Remin · Answer

The premiums are the premiums. An option would be to look at a lower cost plan that offers same or similar  coverage as your current plan. An example would be the HDG plan or an Advantage plan assuming you are in an expensive Medigap Plan currently.
 I explain all the options and risks both medically and financially so you can make an educared decision.

Rachael Metcalf · Answer

I am guessing you are on a Medicare Supplement? Unfortunately this is one of the downsides to this type of product. Here is my advice if you would have come to me....depending on the carrier you may be able to switch to a cheaper supplement without any issues. Second thing, if you are that healthy then start all over. Put in an application for a new G plan with a different carrier. If healthy then you can qualify. Then you would be starting all over with the prices and the increases.

Answered by Rachael Metcalf on April 10, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN, FL, GA & 5 other states

Answered by Rachael Metcalf Medicare Insurance Agent

Al Saponar · Answer

There are different types of Medicare plans, including Medicare Supplement plans, Prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans,  ancilliary plans to go with Medicare Advantage as well.
I can help compare the various options to find the best option for each of my clients, at no cost for my services.

David Alelishvili · Answer

I completely understand how frustrating it feels to stay healthy, barely use your coverage, and still watch your costs go up year after year. As a licensed Medicare broker in New York, I can tell you that while Medicare doesn’t offer direct discounts for being healthy, there are quite a few programs available—especially in New York—that can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Many of them focus on lowering prescription (Part D) expenses, which can still make a big difference.

Whether you have a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, it’s extremely important to work with a broker who takes the time to do a thorough comparison. I meet with clients every day who think they have a great plan—until we sit down and go over the details. That’s when the surprises start. Often, they’re shocked by what their current broker never told them, or just plain confused about the fine print.

If you have a few minutes, I’d love to do a no-cost, no-obligation comparison for you. It won’t cost you anything, and it might just save you a lot.

Give me a call anytime at 929-639-4663 — I’m here to help.
David Alelishvili

Ceranes Lejulus · Answer

Can you share a bit more information? Are you saying you're paying more in premiums or copays? --- we probably would need a bit more information. But generally, if you're more in premiums, you're probably have a supplement plan. Carriers that offer supplement plans usually have rate increases every year. You may have some options at your disposal, but we would need additional information.

Answered by Ceranes Lejulus on April 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL, AL, AR & 19 other states

Answered by Ceranes Lejulus Medicare Insurance Agent

Todd Poe · Answer

Yes you can get a plan that can save you money.  If you call and speak to a licensed rep they can give you the information you need to make the best decision. For more information contact me.

Michael Claunch · Answer

Supplements go up on everyone based on age, not health. Your other option would be to switch to a $0 premium MAPD.

I'm healthy and barely use my coverage, but I'm still paying more every year. Why isn't there a discount for people like me?

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I'm healthy and barely use my coverage, but I'm still paying more every year. Why isn't there a discount for people like me?

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