Medicare Supplement Insurance Policies

There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement policies that help pay the majority of the out of pocket costs that the original Medicare plan does not cover. (If you are in Medicare Advantage plan, such as a Private Fee For Service plan, you do not need a Medicare supplement policy.)

Each standardized Medicare supplemental plan, labeled A through N, offers a different set of benefits, fills different "gaps" in coverage, and varies in price. There are Medicare Companies that offer the "high deductible option" on Medicare supplement Medicare plan F
Every supplemental policy are obligated to cover certain basic Medicare benefits. These benefits are as follows:

Medicare Part A coverage:

  • Coinsurance for hospital days 61-90 ($256 in 2012) and 91-150 ($512 in 2012)
  • Cost of 365 more hospital day in your lifetime, once you have used the entirety of hospital policy benefits

Medicare Part B coverage:

  • Generally, 20% of doctor bills and fifty percent of mental health medical services
  • The first three pints of blood every year

Medicare Supplement Plan A

  • Basic Benefits

Medicare Supplemental Plan B

  • Basic Benefits
  • Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible: $1,024 in 2012 for each benefit period for in-patient hospital policy services

Medicare Supplement Plan C

  • Basic Benefits
  • Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Home Costs: Your cost ($128 in 2012) for days 21-100 in a skilled nursing home.
  • Medicare Part B Deductible: Yearly deductible for doctor services ($135 in 2012).
  • Foreign Travel Emergency:
    • 80% of cost of emergency care outside U.S.A borders
    • Up to $50,000 during your lifetime
    • There is a yearly deductible of $250

Medicare Supplement Plan D

  • Basic Benefits
  • Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Home Costs
  • Foreign Travel Emergency
  • At Home Recovery
    • Help for activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, for those receiving skilled home care that is Medicare approved.
    • There is an extention of eight weeks after patient no longer recieving skilled care.
    • Benefit of up to $40 per visit, seven visits per week. Maximum benefit is $1,900 per year.

Medicare Supplemental Plan F*

  • Basic Benefits
  • Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Home Costs
  • Medicare Part B Deductible
  • Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount to a non-Medicare assignment doctor.
  • Foreign Travel Emergency

     High Deductible Plan "F": Medicare Plan "F" has an option called High Deductible Medicare Plan "F". This high deductible plan offers the same benefits as the regular Plan "F" but the benefits do not start until after you pay a calendar year deductible of $1,900 in 2012 (this deductible goes up with inflation).

    • Some of the expenses you will have to pay to satisfy the deductible include the Medicare deductibles for Parts A and B, but does not include the Foreign Travel Emergency deductible. The Foreign Travel Emergency deductible must be paid regardless of whether you have met the $1,900 deductible. Also, you cannot count the Foreign Travel Emergency deductible toward the $1,900 deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan G

  • Basic Benefits
  • Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
  • Skilled Nursing Home Costs
  • Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 80% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment.Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 80% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment.
  • Foreign Travel Emergency
  • At Home Recovery
* If you choose the "high deductible option" on supplemental Medicare Plan F, you will first have to pay a $1,900 deductible in 2012 before the plan pays anything. This amount goes up every year with inflation. This high deductible option is less expensive, but getting medical attention will cost you more money. 

In addition to the A-N standard supplemental Medicare (Medigap) plan, Medicare SELECT is a type of supplement policy that is more affordable Medicare supplement policy.

However, you can only go to certain doctors and hospitals to receive medical care. Please contact one of our licensed Medicare providers today to find the suitable Medicare Select or Medicare Supplement Policy that is available in your area.


*Plans K and L involves involves cost-sharing for medical expenses and services. In these Medicare Supplement plans, once you reach the annual expense limit ($4,440 for Plan K and $2,220 for Plan L), the plans pays 100% of the Medicare co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles for the rest of the calendar year.

The out-of-pocket annual limit does NOT include charges from your provider that exceed Medicare-approved amounts, called "Excess Charges." The client will be responsible for paying excess charges. The out-of-pocket annual limit will increase each year with inflation

Medicare Supplement Plan M:

  • Co-insurance for Medicare Part B
  • Three pints of blood each year.
  • Preventive care co-payments
  • Hospice care
  • 50% Part A deductible
  • Deductible for Medicare Part B
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Foreign travel emergency

Medicare Supplemental Plan N:

  • $20 Part B co-insurance
  • Three pints of blood each year.
  • Preventive care co-payments
  • Hospice care
  • 50% Part A deductible
  • Deductible for Medicare Part B
  • Skilled nursing care
  • Foreign travel emergency

This Medicare Chart is really easy to understand

Read Complete Guide to Medicare Insurance