What Are the Different Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare is a godsend for many seniors and retirees, and they wouldn’t be able to cope with healthcare costs without it.
As a nation with the highest healthcare costs on the planet, Americans need all the help they can get with assistance for their medical expenses.
Medicare Parts A & B have plenty of benefits for beneficiaries but don’t cover the full cost of inpatient and outpatient care.
You need a Medigap plan if you want more assistance with your healthcare benefits.
Medigap covers some to all your out-of-pocket costs associated with the gaps left by Medicare.
What are the different Medicare supplement plans?
Plans A, B, C, D, F*, G, M, N, K, & L all offer varying degrees of coverage for a monthly premium.
The more coverage you get, the more expensive your monthly premium is. According to data, the average cost for premiums across all plans and all states is $144 per month.
This post unpacks the difference between Medigap plans and the benefits they offer.
*Medigap Plan F is only available to people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before this date, we could help you enroll in Plan F. If you’re already a Plan F member, you can stay on this plan.
Call Us for More Information on Medigap Plans
If you need assistance understanding the coverage between Medigap plans and which suits your healthcare needs, call us at 1-888-891-0229. We offer you a free consultation on Medigap plans.
If you don’t have time to call us right now, complete the contact form on this site, and we’ll get back to you right away.
Our site also has a premium calculator, giving you a free quote for any Medigap plan.
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Understanding Medicare Options
Medigap plans come with varying levels of coverage in each plan.
Here’s a brief overview of what’s available.
- Basic healthcare benefits – Medigap Plan A.
- Basics benefits plus extras – Medigap Plan B & M.
- Highest level of healthcare coverage – Medigap Plan D & G.
- Low premiums, with copays – Medigap Plan N.
- Lowest premiums, partial healthcare coverage – Medigap Plan K & L
- No longer available to new Medicare enrollees – Medigap Plan C & F.
- Plans with high-deductible options – Medigap Plan F & G.
Understanding the Coverage Available in Medigap Plans
Each Medigap plan has a different level of coverage available at a different premium cost. The Federal government standardized the benefits available in each plan.
Medigap is available from private healthcare insurers, but the Federal standards ensure all insurers offer the same basic benefits in every plan they sell across the range of policies. (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have different rules for Medigap benefits in these states).
Some cover all your out-of-pocket expenses, while others offer limited coverage.
Here’s a table giving you the details of the coverage provided by each of the 10 Medigap plans.
| PLAN BENEFITS | MEDIGAP PLAN COVERING THIS BENEFIT |
| Part A hospital costs and coinsurance cover up to an extra 365 days after your Medicare benefits expire. | A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N. |
| Part B copayment or coinsurance. | A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N. K 50% coverage. L 75% coverage. |
| The first three pints of blood used in medical procedures. | A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N. K 50% coverage. L 75% coverage. |
| Part A hospice care copayment or coinsurance. | A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N. K 50% coverage. L 75% coverage. |
| Coinsurance for care at skilled nursing facilities. | C, D, F, G, M, N. K 50% coverage. L 75% coverage. |
| Part A deductible. | B, C, D, F, G, N. K & M 50% coverage. L 75% coverage. |
| Part B deductible. | C, F |
| Part B excess charges. | F, G |
| Foreign travel cover (deductible and $50,000 limitation applies). | C, D, F, G, M and N cover 80% ($250 deductible). |
| Out-of-pocket limits. | Plan K: $6,940 limit in 2023. Plan L: $3,470 limit in 2023. Unlimited for all other Medigap plans. |
*All Medigap plans don’t cover preventative care costs or healthcare services for hearing, vision, and dental.
They also don’t cover prescription costs – you’ll need Medicare Part D to cover these expenses.
What are the Premiums for Medigap Plans?
Each Medigap plan has a different premium associated with it.
Plans K, L, & N have the lowest premiums, while Plan G & F have the highest premiums.
While the Federal government regulates the benefits in all plans, they don’t regulate the pricing. Private insurers offer these plans and can charge any price they want.
As a result of this pricing model, the costs of premiums can vary from insurer to insurer and state to state. Some insurers might offer Plan G, for example, at lower premiums than others in one state.
However, they might be the most expensive provider of Plan G in another state.
Your age, gender, and smoking status also greatly affect your premiums. Older people pay more premiums, women pay less than men, and smokers pay more than nonsmokers.
What are the Most Popular Medigap Plans & Why?
Plan F was the most popular plan before its discontinuance in 2020. Plan G is the most popular plan because it offers all the same benefits as Plan F, excluding the Part B deductible.
However, Plan G premiums are lower than Plan Fs. Plan F & G are available from select providers in high-deductible and standard options.
Medigap Plan N is the most popular plan after Plan G due to its low premiums. However, you have a $20 copayment responsibility for visiting the doctor and a $50 copayment for trips to the emergency rooms where the doctor doesn’t admit you to inpatient care.
Plan N also doesn’t cover Plan B excess charges if you visit medical healthcare professionals charging outside of Medicare-approved rates.
When Do You Enroll in Medigap?
You can enroll in Medigap at any time. However, the best time is during the “Open Enrollment” period starting on your 65th birthday for the next six months.
The insurer must accept your application during this period, even if you have a pre-existing health condition.
Enrolling outside this window subjects you to medical underwriting, and if you have a pre-existing condition, they may deny your application or charge you a higher-than-average premium.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Supplement Plans, or Medigap plans, are private insurance policies that fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.
How many Medicare Supplement Plans are there?
There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement Plans available, labeled with letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N).
What does Medicare Supplement Plan F cover?
Plan F is the most comprehensive, covering Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and excess charges.
How does Medicare Supplement Plan G differ from Plan F?
Plan G is similar to Plan F but does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible.
Are Medicare Supplement Plans available to everyone?
Medicare Supplement Plans are available to those enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B, aged 65 or with a qualifying disability.
Can I switch Medicare Supplement Plans?
Yes, you can switch plans, but you may face medical underwriting and potential premium adjustments.
Do Medicare Supplement Plans cover prescription drugs?
No, Medicare Supplement Plans do not cover prescription drugs. You need a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan for drug coverage.
Are Medicare Supplement Plans the same as Medicare Advantage Plans?
No, Medicare Supplement Plans work with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage Plans replace it.
How much do Medicare Supplement Plans cost?
Costs vary based on location, age, gender, and the insurance company. It’s important to compare plans for the best option.
Can I have both a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Medicare Advantage Plan?
No, you can only have one or the other. Evaluate each option to determine which suits your needs better.
What Are the Different Medicare Supplement Plans - How to Choose?
When trying to decide which Medicare Supplement Plan will work best for you, it’s important to consider your healthcare needs and your budget.
It’s also a wise idea to compare quotes from several different providers.
To start receiving and comparing quotes from credible insurance companies, fill out the form to the right or call 1-888-891-0229 and one of our agents will be happy to assist you.
Updated December 4th, 2022