New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries have access to a range of coverage options, state-specific protections, and free counseling services. This comprehensive New Hampshire Medicare guide covers your SHIP office contacts, Medigap plan availability, birthday rule protections, Medicare Savings Program eligibility, Medicare Advantage options, and how to compare plans. Whether you are turning 65, helping a parent navigate Medicare, or re-evaluating your coverage, understanding New Hampshire Medicare rules is essential for making informed decisions.
All information in this guide has been verified against official state sources, CMS data, and NAIC reports as of April 2026.
In This New Hampshire Medicare Guide:
New Hampshire SHIP — Free Medicare Counseling
Every state has a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) that provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling. New Hampshire’s SHIP program can help you understand your coverage options, compare plans, resolve billing issues, and navigate enrollment periods at no cost.
| SHIP Program | ServiceLink (New Hampshire’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program) |
| Phone | 1-866-634-9412 |
| Website | https://www.servicelink.nh.gov |
SHIP counselors are trained volunteers and staff who are not affiliated with any insurance company. They do not sell plans. Contact your New Hampshire SHIP office before making any major Medicare decisions.
New Hampshire Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
Medigap plans in New Hampshire help cover out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility copays. Medigap plans are standardized by federal law, meaning Plan G from one carrier covers the same benefits as Plan G from another carrier. The difference is premium cost.
Plans available in New Hampshire: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N
Most popular plan: Plan G (Plan F is most enrolled overall but is closed to new Medicare beneficiaries after January 1, 2020; Plan G is the most popular for new enrollees) is the most popular Medigap plan in New Hampshire. Plan G covers all gaps in Original Medicare except the annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2026). Plan N is the most popular lower-premium alternative, with small copays for some doctor visits and ER visits.
Pricing method: New Hampshire uses community-rated Medigap pricing. This is the most favorable method for consumers because premiums are the same regardless of age. Your premium will not increase simply because you get older.
The average monthly Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in New Hampshire is approximately 180 (lowest available from Anthem for age 65; state average approximately 240). Plan N averages approximately 129 (lowest available from First Health Life and Health for age 65; state average approximately 170) per month. Actual premiums vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and zip code. Always compare quotes from at least three carriers.
New Hampshire Medigap Switching Rights
New Hampshire does not have a Medigap birthday rule. Your primary opportunity to buy or switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting is during your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts 6 months starting when you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 or older.
After your initial OEP closes, you may face medical underwriting if you apply for a new Medigap policy. However, federal law provides guaranteed issue rights in specific situations, such as losing employer coverage or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan during your first year.
New Hampshire guaranteed issue protections: New Hampshire follows federal guaranteed issue rights only. These include the one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (at age 65 plus Part B enrollment), and federal guaranteed issue situations such as losing Medicare Advantage coverage, losing employer coverage, or a Medigap insurer going bankrupt. Pre-existing condition limitations are waived to the extent of prior creditable coverage. New Hampshire does not provide additional state-level guaranteed issue rights beyond the federal minimums.
New Hampshire Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Approximately 345184 (as of September 2024) people in New Hampshire are enrolled in Medicare. About 35 percent (as of September 2024, with enrollment declining for 2026 due to major carrier exits) of New Hampshire Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage plans, with the remainder on Original Medicare with or without Medigap supplement coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans in New Hampshire are offered by private insurers as an alternative to Original Medicare. Most MA plans include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and often add dental, vision, and hearing benefits. However, MA plans use provider networks, which can limit your choice of doctors and hospitals.
Key Medicare Advantage considerations in New Hampshire:
- Networks matter: HMO plans require you to use in-network providers except in emergencies. PPO plans allow out-of-network care at higher cost.
- $0 premium plans: Many New Hampshire MA plans have $0 monthly premiums (you still pay your Part B premium).
- Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP): MA plans cap your annual spending, unlike Original Medicare which has no cap.
- Star ratings: CMS rates MA plans 1-5 stars. Higher-rated plans often have lower costs and better coverage.
Top Medicare Advantage carriers in New Hampshire by enrollment:
- UnitedHealthcare
- Humana
- WellSense Health Plan
- Aetna (Hillsborough and Rockingham counties only for 2026)
- Anthem (exiting individual MA market for 2026)
New Hampshire Medicare Financial Help Programs
New Hampshire offers Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) that help low-income Medicare beneficiaries pay for premiums, deductibles, and copays. The four programs are:
- QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and copays.
- SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays Part B premiums only.
- QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays Part B premiums (limited funding, first-come first-served).
- QDWI (Qualified Disabled Working Individual): Pays Part A premiums for disabled workers.
New Hampshire MSP eligibility: QMB: 1235 per month single / 1663 per month married; SLMB: 1478 per month single / 1992 per month married; QI: 1660 per month single / 2239 per month married. Asset limits: 9090 single / 13630 married. NH disregards the first 13 of unearned income.
Apply through your local SHIP office or your state Medicaid agency for free help determining eligibility.
Top Medicare Insurance Companies in New Hampshire
Top Medigap carriers in New Hampshire:
- Anthem
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare
- Cigna
- Aetna
- Humana
When comparing carriers, focus on premium cost (for identical standardized Medigap plans, benefits are the same — only price differs), financial strength ratings from AM Best (A or higher), customer satisfaction ratings, and claims processing speed.
New Hampshire Medicare Enrollment Periods
Understanding Medicare enrollment deadlines prevents costly late enrollment penalties:
- Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): 7-month window around your 65th birthday (3 months before, birthday month, 3 months after). Enroll in Parts A and B during this period.
- Medigap Open Enrollment: Standard federal 6-month period beginning the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. New Hampshire does not extend this period beyond the federal standard.. During this period, insurance companies cannot deny you Medigap coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions.
- Annual Enrollment Period (AEP): October 15 through December 7 each year. Switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, change MA plans, or add/change Part D drug plans.
- Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): January 1 through March 31. Switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare (and add a Medigap plan, subject to underwriting).
- Special Enrollment Periods (SEP): Available when you lose employer coverage, move, or qualify for other life events.
Additional New Hampshire Medicare protections: New Hampshire requires pre-existing condition limitations to be waived for guaranteed issue applicants and waived to the extent of prior creditable coverage for all other applicants. The NH Insurance Department publishes an interactive Medicare Supplement Rate Dashboard for price transparency. The 2026 Medicare Advantage market is experiencing major disruption with carrier exits (Martin’s Point fully withdrew, Anthem exited individual MA, Aetna reduced to 2 counties), and the NHID is actively monitoring and providing consumer outreach. No birthday rule or annual Medigap open enrollment beyond the federal standard.
Compare New Hampshire Medicare Plans
Ready to compare Medicare options in New Hampshire? Use the official Medicare Plan Finder or contact your local SHIP counselor for free, unbiased help.
Official Sources & Resources
- Medicare.gov: medicare.gov
- New Hampshire Insurance Department: https://www.insurance.nh.gov
- ServiceLink (New Hampshire’s State Health Insurance Assistance Program): https://www.servicelink.nh.gov
- CMS.gov: cms.gov
- NAIC: naic.org
This New Hampshire Medicare guide was last verified against official sources in April 2026. If you notice outdated information, please contact us.