Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison: 10 Plan Options
Below is a list with a brief overview on each plan so that you can compare Medicare supplement plans easily:
Medigap Plan A
Medigap Plan A offers the most basic of all the Medigap plans. Even still, it will cover the 20% that Medicare doesn’t pay for on outpatient treatments. That’s arguably the most important piece of all Medigap plans. All Medicare insurance carriers must offer Plan A. However, some states do not require companies to offer it to people under age 65 on Medicare disability.
Medigap Plan B
Medigap Plan B covers everything that Plan A covers but it also picks up the Medicare Part A hospital deductible. Plan B is a Medigap plan that pays after Medicare pays. Don’t confuse it with Part B, which is part of your Original Medicare benefits that pays for outpatient medical.
Medigap Plan C
Medigap Plan C is one of the most comprehensive supplements. It covers everything except Medicare excess charges. This means it pays both of your deductibles and the 20% that you would normally owe toward all outpatient expenses. Medigap plans C & F are very popular.
Medigap Plan D
Plan D covers most things but does not pay the Part B deductible nor any Medicare excess charges. This makes it one of the least popular Medigap plans. Don’t confuse it with Part D, which is your drug coverage – two different things.
Medigap Plan F
Medigap Plan F has long been the most popular selling Medigap plan in the Medicare supplement world. It covers ALL of the items that you would normally pay. It leaves you with nothing out-of-pocket for covered services. Many people enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you won’t even owe a copay for doctor visits or hospital stays.
There is also a high-deductible version of Plan F that provides great Medigap coverage after you meet a deductible first.
Medigap Plan G
Medigap Plan G has been gaining in popularity in recent years. It covers everything that Plan F does except for the Part B deductible. Premiums for Plan G are often very competitive, which can often make it a better value than Plan F. When compare Medicare supplements between Plan F and G in most states, we often find that Plan G is a better value annually.
Medigap Plans K, L, and M
These plans offer partial coverage of certain benefits. For instance, Plan K covers 50% of most items and Plan K covers 75% of most items. All three of these plans are rarely requested by Medicare beneficiaries, so not all carriers offer them. However, you can often find good Medicare supplement rates for these plans in certain areas.
Medigap Plan N
Medigap Plan N was created in 2010. It offers lower premiums in exchange for you paying copays for certain things like doctor and emergency room visits. It also does not cover the Medicare excess charges. The lower premiums have been attractive to many beneficiaries, but we sometimes find that policyholders find the small bills for excess charges to be annoying.
When you are learning how to compare Medicare supplement plans, just remember that Plan N is the one that requires copays from you for doctor and E.R. visits. That’s why the premiums are lower. People interested in the Medigap policies which offer the most affordable rates are usually interested in Plan N.