Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans provide insurance coverage to fill in all the gaps left by the Original Medicare. Various standard policies have been formulated by the United States government. These policies are sold by the private insurance companies.
All Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans provide the following benefits:
- Co-insurance for Medicare Part A.
- Hospital coverage for an additional year after Medicare stops paying.
- Three pints of blood each year.
- Co-payments for Medicare Part B.
- Out-of-pockets expenses for hospice care.
Medicare Supplement Plan A:
Medicare Plan A is by far the cheapest supplemental plan. This is because of the fact that it provides minimum benefits. Only the basic Medicare supplemental coverage is included in this plan.
Medicare Supplement Plan A Covers
- Medicare Part B co-insurance
- 3 pints of blood for each year
- Preventive measure co-insurance
- Hospice care
Not Covered
- Parts A and B Deductible
- Skilled Care in Nursing
- Recovery at home
- Emergency during Foreign travel
- Excess charges for Medicare Part B
Medicare Supplemental Insurance Plan B:
This provides the same insurance coverage as Medicare Supplement Plan A, but also covers deductible for Medicare Part A.
Medicare Plan B Covers
- Co-insurance required under Medicare Part B
- 3 pints of blood annually
- Co-payments for preventive care
- Care under Hospice
- Part A deductible
Not Covered
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Skilled nursing care
- Medical Emergency while on Foreign travel
- Out-of-pocket expense cap
- Excess charges for Part B
Medicare Plan B has a higher insurance premium as compared to Medicare Supplement Plan A. The reason behind this is that deductible for Part A is also covered under Plan B.
Supplement Insurance Plan C:
Medicare Supplement Plan C provides same insurance coverage as Supplement Plan B, but it also includes three extra Medicare benefits.
Medicare Plan C Benefits
- Co-insurance Medicare Part B
- 3 pints of blood once every year
- Preventive care co-payments
- Hospice care
- Parts A and B deductible
- Skilled nursing care
- Emergency when travelling outside country
Not Covered
- Recovery at home
- Excess charges for Medicare Part B
- Out-of-pocket expense cap
Medicare Supplement Plan C adds to the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan B.
Medicare Supplement Plan D:
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan D is similar to Supplement Plan C, but it does not cover deductible for Medicare Part B. Here in, recovery at home benefit is included.
Medicare Plan D Covers:
- Co-insurance as under Medicare Part B
- 3 pints of blood annually
- Hospice care
- Parts A deductible
- nursing care of skilled type
- Emergency outside country
- Recovery at home
Not Covered
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Excess charges for Part B
- Out-of-pocket expense cap
The at home recovery benefit is also added.
Medicare Supplement Plan F:
Medicare Plan F is similar to Medicare Supplement Plan C with an extra benefit of paying for any 15% Medicare surcharge. Doctors can bill their patients up to 15% more than the amount set by Medicare. These are called excess charges which are covered under this plan.
Benefits of Medicare Plan F
- Co-insurance required for Medicare Part B
- 3 pints of blood for each year
- Copayments under Preventive medical care
- Hospice care
- Parts A and B deductible
- Skilled nursing
- Emergency occured away from country
- Medicare Part B excess charges
Not Covered
- Recovery at home
- Out-of-pocket expense cap
Medicare Supplemental Plan G:
Medicare Plan G is identical to the Medicare Plan F but it does not provide coverage for Medicare Part B deductible.
Medigap Coverage for Plan G
- Co-insurance needed in Medicare Part B
- Each year - 3 pints of blood
- Co-payments for preventive care
- Hospice care
- Parts A deductible
- Requirement for Skilled care in nursing
- Emergency when not in country
- Medicare Part B excess charges
Not Covered
- Recovery at home
- Out-of-pocket expense cap
- Part B Deductible
Supplement Plan K:
Medicare Plan K provides insurance coverage similar to the other Medicare Supplemental Plans. The only difference is that it pays 50% deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan K
- 50% Co-insurance charged in Medicare Part B
- 50% blood transfer co-payments
- Preventive care payment
- Hospice care
- 50% Part A deductible
- 50% coinsurance for skilled nursing care
- $4650 annually Out-of-Pocket Expense Cap
Not Covered
- Foreign travel emergency
- Part B deductible
- Recovery at home
- Part B excess charges
Medicare Supplement Plan L:
Medicare Supplement Plan L provides same coverage as Medicare Plan K but it covers 75% of the deductible amounts and a lower out-of-pocket expense as compare to Plan L.
Medigap Plan L Covers
- 75% Co-insurance needed for Medicare Part B
- 75% blood transfer co-payments
- Preventive measure co-payments
- Hospice care
- 75% Part A deductible
- 75% coinsurance for skilled nursing expenses
- $2330 annually out-of-pocket expense cap
Not Covered
- Foreign Travel
- Part B Deductible
- At-Home Recovery
- Part B Excess Charges
It must be noted that the coverage for Medicare Supplement Plan L is costlier as compare to Plan K.
Medicare Supplement Plan M:
This provides same insurance coverage as Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan C. However it provides 50% insurance coverage of Part A deductible.
Medigap Plan M Coverage
- Co-insurance charges for Medicare Part B
- Annual usage of 3 pints of blood
- Preventive medication co-payments
- Hospice care
- 50% deductible under Part A
- Deductible charged under Medicare Part B
- Skilled nursing charges
- Emergency when outside home country
Not Covered
- Recovery at home
- Excess charges for Medicare Part B.
- Out-of-pocket expense cap.
Medicare Supplement Plan N:
This Supplement Insurance in Medicare plan offers same insurance coverage as Medicare Plan C, but in case of Medicare Part B there is a fixed co-insurance payment.
Medigap Plan N Coverage
- $20 co-insurance under Part B
- Yearly blood requirement of 3 pints
- Preventive care co-payments
- Hospice care
- 50% deduction in Part A
- Deductible expenses under Medicare Part B
- Skilled nursing facility
- Emergency when not in home country
Not Covered
- Recovery at home
- Excess charges for Medicare Part B.
- Out-of-pocket expense cap.
Buying Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans:
The first point that one should keep in mind prior to buying any Medicare Supplement plan is the amount you need to pay for your Medicare health care every year. You also be clear as to how the premiums for Supplement Insurance in Medicare are determined. Once you gain full knowledge about these plans, you can choose the one that is best for you.
Read Complete Guide to Medicare Supplements
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