Medicare
Supplement
Insurance
Medicare Supplement insurance plans, or sometimes called, Medigap policies, are plans that do just as their name implies. They fill in the gaps left behind by Original Medicare Part A & Part B.
Choosing a Medigap Policy
A Medigap policy, or Medicare Supplement, that helps fill “gaps” in Original Medicare is sold by private insurance companies. Medigap policies can help pay for some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t, like copayments and coinsurance.
Standardization of Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized and are labeled with letters A through N. Each plan offers a different combination of benefits, but the benefits within each plan are the same, regardless of the insurance company that sells it. This standardization makes it easier for consumers to compare plans and select the one that best suits their needs.
The standardization of Medicare Supplement plans also means that insurance companies cannot modify the benefits offered in each plan. For example, if an insurance company sells Plan F, the benefits included in that plan must be the same as all other Plan F policies sold by different insurance
Choosing a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan
When choosing a Medicare Supplement plan, it is important to consider your healthcare needs and budget. The benefits of each plan are standardized, but the cost of each plan may vary depending on the insurance company that sells it. In addition to the monthly premium, you should also consider the out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
To choose a Medicare Supplement plan, you should:
Determine which benefits are important to you: Each plan offers a different combination of benefits. For example, Plan F offers more comprehensive coverage than Plan A. Consider your healthcare needs and choose a plan that offers the benefits you need.
Compare costs: The monthly premium of each plan may vary depending on the insurance company that sells it. In addition to the premium, consider the out-of-pocket costs.
Consider your budget: Medicare Supplement plans can be expensive, so it is important to choose a plan that fits your budget.
Costs of Medicare Supplement Plans
The cost of Medicare Supplement plans varies depending on the insurance company, plan type, and location. Premiums can range from around $50 to over $300 per month, depending on the plan and the state in which you live. In addition to the monthly premium, you may also be responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
It is important to note that Medicare Supplement plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you need prescription drug coverage, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
How Medicare Supplement Plans Help Cover Additional Costs
XXXXXMedicare Supplement plans help cover the costs of healthcare services that are not covered by Original Medicare. This can include:
- Deductibles: Original Medicare requires you to pay a deductible before your coverage begins. Medicare Supplement plans can help cover these deductibles.
- Coinsurance and Copayments: Original Medicare requires you to pay coinsurance or copayments for certain healthcare services. Medicare Supplement plans can help cover these costs.
- Foreign Travel: Original Medicare does not cover healthcare services received outside of the United States. Medicare Supplement plans can help cover these costs.
When choosing a Medicare Supplement plan, it is important to consider your healthcare needs, budget, and the cost of the plan. Medicare Supplement plans can help cover additional costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and foreign travel.
Every Medigap policy must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you, and they are standardized and identified in most states by letters. All policies offer the same basic benefits, but some offer additional benefits, so you can choose which one meets your needs. Working with an insurance agent at Collee Insurance can help you compare Medicare Supplement plans across many insurance companies to ensure your Medigap policy fits in your budget. Medicare Supplement covers coinsurance only after you’ve paid your deductible. Here is an example of the different Medicare Supplement plan types and what they cover.
Medigap Benefits |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plan A |
Plan B |
Plan C |
Plan D |
Plan F* |
Plan G* |
Plan K |
Plan L |
Plan M |
Plan N |
|
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up |
100%
|
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
Part B coinsurance or copayment |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | X | X | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
Part A deductible | X | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% |
Part B deductible | X | X | 100% | X | 100% | X | X | X | X | X |
Part B |
X | X | X | X | 100% | 100% | X | X | X | X |
Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) | X | X | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | X | X | 80% | 80% |
Out-of-pocket limit** | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $6,940 in 2023 | $3,470 in 2023 | N/A | N/A |
* Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. With this option, you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of $2,700 in 2023 before your policy pays anything. (Plans C and F aren’t available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.)
** For Plans K and L, after you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.
*** Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.
Contact Harry Kahn today for a no-cost, no-obligation Medicare consultation.
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