Medicare Supplements
What is a Medicare supplement?
Medicare supplement plans, often referred to as "Medigap", are sold by private insurance companies and can help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by Medicare Parts A and B.
After Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs, then your Medicare supplement policy will pay its share towards deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
The 10 Standard Medicare Supplement Plans
There are ten standardized Medicare supplement plans, which are identified in most states by letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have different plans available).
Premiums can vary greatly between insurance companies, but the benefits from each standard Medicare supplement plan are always the same.
Depending on where you live and when you became eligible for Medicare your plan options can vary.
The following Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart will illustrate the differences in benefits between plans.
Note: If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you are not allowed to purchase Plan F or Plan C.
What is not covered by a Medicare supplement?
- Long-term care
- Dental
- Hearing aids
- Eyeglasses
- Private-duty nursing
- Prescription drugs
Unsure which Medicare supplement is best for you?
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10 Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Options
Medigap Plan A
Plan A has the most limited coverage of all the Medigap plans, but importantly, it does cover the 20% coinsurance that Medicare does not cover for outpatient services.
Medigap Plan B
Plan B has all the same benefits of Plan A, but also covers the Medicare Part A deductible that beneficiaries pay when admitted to a hospital ($1,632 in 2024).
Not to be confused with Part B of Medicare, which pays for outpatient medical benefits this Medigap plan will pay
Medigap Plan C
Plan C is one of the more comprehensive Medigap plans available. It will cover both the Part A and Part B deductibles and the 20% coinsurance for outpatient services, but it does not cover Medicare excess charges.
Medigap Plan D
Plan D, not to be confused with prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D), will cover everything but the Part B deductible and excess charges.
Medigap Plan F
Plan F will cover 100% of your Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, leaving you with $0 out of pocket costs for covered services. Unlike some of the other Medicare supplement plans, you will not pay any deductibles with Plan F.
This plan has been discontinued for new Medicare beneficiaries and is only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
Medigap Plan G
Plan G is a type of Medicare supplement plan that is often referred to as the second most comprehensive plan available, next to Plan F.
The benefits are identical to Plan F except the Medicare Part B deductible must be met each year before your Part B coverage kicks in.
The Medicare Part B deductible amount in 2024 is $240. After meeting the deductible, Plan G provides full coverage for all of the "gaps" not covered by Original Medicare.
Medigap Plan K
Plan K may be an attractive option if you’re willing to accept fewer benefits for a lower monthly premium.
This plan will cover 100% of the Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted), but will only pay 50% of the remaining Medigap benefits related to Medicare Part A, Part B coinsurance/copayment, blood, and skilled nursing facility care.
Plan K does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, excess charges, or foreign travel emergency.
There is a maximum out-of-pocket of $6,940 (in 2023), so that is the maximum amount you would be required to spend per calendar year. Once you meet this amount, Plan K will then pay 100% of the Medicare-covered costs for the remainder of the year.
Medigap Plan L
Plan L is similar to Plan K, but offer more benefits and generally has higher monthly premiums.
It also covers 100% of the Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted), but unlike Plan K, it will pay 75% of the remaining Medigap benefits related to Medicare Part A, Part B coinsurance/copayment, blood, and skilled nursing facility care.
Plan L has a maximum out-of-pocket of $3,530 (in 2024), so that is the maximum amount you would be required to spend per calendar year. Once you meet this amount, Plan L will then pay 100% of the Medicare-covered costs for the remainder of the year.
Medigap Plan M
Medigap Plan M was first introduced in 2010 and is a relatively new supplement that was created as part of the Medicare Modernization Act.
It will cover 50% of the Part A deductible and 100% of the Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted) and the Part B coinsurance/copayment.
Plan M will also pay 100% of the remaining Medigap benefits related to Medicare Part A, blood, and skilled nursing facility care.
Similar to Plans K, L, and N, Plan M does not cover the Part B deductible or excess charges.
Medigap Plan N
Plan N has become increasingly popular with Medicare beneficiaries that want a Medigap plan with a lower monthly premium.
It will cover 100% of the Medicare Part B coinsurance costs, except for $20 copays for doctor visits and $50 for emergency room visits (in which you are not admitted). Medigap Plan N does not cover the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024) or Part B excess charges.
Excess charges occur when a medical provider does not accept Medicare assignment, and they charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved price. Unlike Plans F and G, excess charges are not covered by Plan N.
Plan N also pays for 80% of foreign travel emergency costs (up to plan limits).