An Overview of the Different Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement plans are purchased to help relieve some of the burden that Medicare part A & B leave behind in the form of out of pocket expenses. Medicare covers only 80 percent of Part B costs and the 20 percent is left for the individual to pay. Even though it is only 20 percent, it can be too much for a retired person to pay. Because of this, insurance companies decided to create Medicare supplemental insurance plans, to pay for that 20 percent difference to help with finances.

There are 10 different standard Medicare Supplement plans that are sold in most states. These 10 Medicare Supplement plans are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N, as well as a high-deductible Plan F option. Not all plans cover the same services.

In general, all Medicare Supplement plans cover at least part of:

• Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles
• Skilled nursing facility costs (after you run out of Medicare-covered days)
• Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used)
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
• Part B excess charges
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Blood (first 3 pints)

Two Medicare Supplement plans (Plan K and L) include an out-of-pocket limit. This means that once you have reached a certain amount spent on Medicare-covered services, the Medicare Supplement plan will cover 100% of Medicare-covered costs for the rest of the year.

* There is also a high-deductible version of Plan F.

Some Facts to Know:

• All insurance companies that sell Medicare Supplement must offer Plan A. A company must also offer either Plan C or Plan F if it offers any other plan besides Plan A.
• Each standard Medicare Supplement plan option must provide the same basic benefits. For example, a Plan A policy sold by a company in California will have the same basic benefits as a company in Pennsylvania selling the same lettered plan.
• Plans E, H, I, and J are no longer offered, but if you already have one, you can keep using it until you decide to switch, then you cannot go back.
• Not all Medicare Supplement plans may be available in your state. In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Medicare Supplement policies are standardized differently.
• Standardized Medicare supplemental plans do not provide coverage for dental care, hearing aids, vision care, prescription drugs or long-term care.
• You can see any doctor, whether they accept Medicare assignment or not. Medicare assignment is when your doctor or provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as full payment.
  • If your doctor accepts assignment, then your Medicare Supplement insurance company will pay your doctor directly.
  • If your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, you will have to pay your doctor yourself and send in claims to your insurance company.

Medicare SELECT

In some states you can purchase Medicare SELECT, which is a type of Medicare Supplement policy. Medicare SELECT can be any standardized Medicare Supplement plan (plans A-N). It requires the policyholder to use hospitals and doctors in their network. If it is an emergency, then you will not have to stay in network. Medicare SELECT plans often have lower premiums.

Medicare Part B bills can become overwhelming, so a Medicare Supplement plan is beneficial to sustain the costs. At EZ.Insure we are trained to be on your side and get you the best plan in your budget. Get an instant quote by typing your zip code in the bar above, or speak with someone now. You can contact one of our highly trained agents through email at [email protected], or by calling 855-220-1144. At EZ.Insure we want to help you get coverage, not help insurance companies get right. We know how hard it is dealing with a ton of phone calls and agents hounding you, which is why we want to help, we work for you. Let us help you today!