Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to help cover the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. There are 10 standardized Medigap plans, labeled A through N, each with its own set of benefits.
Here are some common benefits that Medigap plans may cover:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)
It’s important to note that Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs, so beneficiaries may need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for that coverage. Additionally, Medigap plans are only available to individuals who are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B.