Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

With Original Medicare, your loved one pays 20% of the costs for services. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is extra insurance that helps cover those costs.

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Cost
Varies by insurance carrier and plan
Prior Authorization Required
No
Provider Referral or Order Required
No

How To Receive

Details on how to apply

  1. Decide which plan.

    • Medigap policies are standardized, and in most states are named by letters, Plans A-N. Compare the benefits each plan helps pay for and choose a plan that covers what your loved one's needs.

  2. Pick the policy.

    • Find policies in your loved one's area. Price is the only difference between policies with the same letter sold by different companies.

  3. Contact the insurance company to purchase.

    • Get an official quote from the company. Prices can change at any time based on when your loved one buys, their health conditions, and more. When they're ready to buy a policy, contact the company.

Because the Medicare and Medicare Supplement landscape can be difficult to navigate, consider consulting with an independent licensed insurance broker specializing in Medicare. Their services are free to your loved one and they work for your loved one, not for the insurance companies.

Availability
Medigap Enrollment Period, and ongoing as qualified

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Things to know

Plan F

Plan F is not available to anyone born after January 1, 1955. Plan F is the most comprehensive plan and pays all out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. The only cost to the member is the monthly premium. No matter what the medical costs are, there are no copays, coinsurance, or deductibles.

Plan F - High deductible (HD-F)

Plan F also has a high-deductible version, wherein the deductible must be met before 100% coverage kicks in (this plan keeps the monthly premiums lower).

Plan C

Plan C is not available to anyone who became eligible for Medicare after 2020. Plan C provides all the same coverage as Plan F, with the exception of Medicare Part B excess charges.

Plan D

Plan D is a lower premium plan and there are no copayments for office visits or the emergency room; however, like Plan N - it does not cover the Part B deductible or excess charges.

Plan G

Plan G is the only other plan that does cover Medicare Part B excess charges, though it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible like Plans F and C do. Otherwise, Plan G offers all the same coverage as Plan F.

Plan G - High deductible (HD-G)

Plan G also has a high-deductible version, wherein the deductible must be met before 100% coverage kicks in (this plan keeps the monthly premiums lower). HD-G offers all the same coverage as Plan G (and subsequently, Plan F).

Plan N

Plan N is similar to Plan D but with copays. In exchange for a lower premium, members pay some of the costs, which include the Medicare Part B deductible, excess charges, and copayments for office visits and the emergency room.

Plans K, L, and M

Plan K. Plan K is the lowest cost plan with the least amount of coverage. It does not cover the Part B deductible, or excess charges, and pays half (50%) of the remaining Part A and Part B costs.

Plan L. Plan L is a low-cost plan with a moderate amount of coverage, more than Plan K. It does not cover the Part B deductible, or excess charges, and pays 75% of remaining Part A and Part B costs.

Plan M. Plan M is a deductible-sharing plan. It provides the same coverage as Plan N, but with greater out-of-pocket medical costs since it only covers half (50%) of the Part A deductible.

Plans A and B

Plan A. Plan A only covers basic benefits. It does not cover Part A or Part B deductibles, excess charges, or skilled nursing facility (SNF) coinsurance.

Plan B. Plan B provides the same basic coverage as Plan A, plus covers the Part A deductible.

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