Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan Chart

The Medicare Supplement Insurance plan comparison chart below is a great tool you can use to learn about your potential coverage options and to see which type of plan may be right for your needs.

This chart outlines the benefits that are covered by each type of Medicare Supplement Insurance plan (also called Medigap).

What can Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cover?

Medigap plans can cover up to nine of the following out-of-pocket 2019 Medicare costs. Each type of plan will offer a different combination of some or all of these benefits:

• Part A deductible
  Medicare beneficiaries must meet a $1,364 deductible for each benefit period in 2019 before Medicare Part A covers any inpatient hospital costs.
  
  
• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
  In 2019, Medicare Part A coinsurance is $341 per day for days 61-90 of an inpatient hospital stay, and $682 per day thereafter.
  
  
• Part B deductible
  The Medicare Part B deductible in 2019 is $185 per year.
  
  
• Part B coinsurance and copayments
  Medicare Part B requires a 20 percent coinsurance payment for all covered services and medical equipment once the annual Part B deductible is met.
  
  
• Part A hospice care coinsurance
  Part A may charge minor copayments for prescription drugs related to hospice service and a 5 percent coinsurance payment for inpatient respite care.
  
  
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
  Medicare Part A charges a copayment of $170.50 per day in 2019 for days 21-100 of an inpatient stay at a skilled nursing facility.
  
  
• Part B excess charges
  If you receive Part B services from a health care provider that does not accept Medicare assignment, you may be subject to excess charges of up to 15 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for the service.
  
  
• First three pints of blood
  Original Medicare does not cover the costs for the first three pints of blood used in a transfusion or a medically necessary procedure.
  
  
• Foreign travel emergency care
  Emergency medical care that is received outside of the U.S. is not typically covered by Original Medicare, except under special circumstances.

5 important things to note about Medigap plans

There are a few things to note when analyzing the above Medicare Supplement Insurance plans comparison chart.

1. The coverage provided by each type of Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is standardized, which means the benefits of each type of plan will be the same, no matter where the plan is sold.
   
   
2. Not every plan type is sold in all locations. People in some states may have access to more types of Medigap plans than people in other states.
   
   
3. The cost of plans can vary based on location, provider and coverage offered. Plans with more benefits typically cost more than plans with less coverage.
   
   
4. High-Deductible Medigap Plan F is one plan option beneficiaries can consider. This option requires the plan holder to meet a $2,300 annual deductible in 2019 before the plan covers any benefits.
   
   
5. Two types of plans provide an annual out-of-pocket spending limit. Medigap Plan L ($2,780 in 2019) and Plan K ($5,560 in 2019) cover 100% of Original Medicare expenses for the rest of the calendar year once a beneficiary reaches these spending limits.

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Insurance plans

The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month period begins as soon as you are 65 years old and enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

If you enroll in a Medigap plan outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may be subject to medical underwriting by the insurance company selling the plan. This means that you could be charged higher premiums or denied a policy altogether based on your age and health.

To get help using the Medicare Supplement Insurance plans comparison chart and to find the right plan for your needs, visit MedicareSupplement.com today!