Medicare Supplement plans are also referred to as Medigap plans.
Medicare Supplement plans are designed to cover remaining out of pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare – deductibles and coinsurance.
With a Medicare Supplement plan there are advantages to know about including:
- Freedom to choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare – there is no network
- Use anywhere in the United States
- Some plans have foreign travel coverage
- No referrals necessary to see a specialist
- Predictable out-of-pocket expenses
- Portable if you move
- Guaranteed renewability – the insurance company can never drop you due to a health condition
Below is a chart showing the different types of Medicare Supplement Plans available.
The Medicare Part B annual deductible amount for 2023 is $226.
Medicare Supplement plans in Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin are charted differently.
*Plan F and Plan G also offer a has a high-deductible plan. If you choose this option, this means that you must pay for Medicare-covered services (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of $2,700 in 2023 before the plan pays anything.
**Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission.
Plan C and Plan F are no longer available to individuals that are first eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. Individuals that were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can still enroll in a Plan F or Plan C.
Other Tips to Know:
- You must have Medicare Part A & Part B in order to have a Medicare Supplement plan.
- All Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, meaning every insurance company that offers a plan of a specific letter must offer the exact same standard benefits as another insurance company offering a plan of the same letter. I can provide the premium rates to plans in your area and determine which company to choose.
- Medicare Supplement plans do not include Part D prescription drug plan coverage – a separate plan is needed. See Part D.
- You can review and make changes to Medicare Supplement plans at any time.
- You cannot be asked any medical questions to obtain a Medicare Supplement plan with in the first 6 months of starting Medicare Part B – this is called your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.