At an additional cost, Medicare beneficiaries can purchase Medicare supplemental plans, also known as medigap plans. These plans are used in conjunction with Original Medicare. They supplement costs that a Medicare beneficiary may accrue using original medicare, such as co-insurances, deductibles, and through some uncovered services.
The Different Levels
Medigaps are separated into levels of coverage. Each level covers specific services, and they each vary in costs. There are 13 medigap levels in total, nine of which are still available for purchase. These are labeled with the letters A through N.
Basic Coverage
There are some benefits that all medigap plans cover. These include extra hospital benefits, including an extra year of hospital coverage, and the Medigap also pays for hospital co-insurances. The medigap also pays for part of or the entire coinsurance for doctor visits, 3 pints of blood and other Part B benefits.
Additional Coverage
Most plans progressively include more benefits, including skilled nursing facility co-insurance coverage, emergency care for overseas, hospice care and paying for the Part B deductible and excess charges. A includes just the bare bones basic coverage, while most other plans cover much more.
Limitations and Restrictions
K and L's coverage is only partial until you reach a certain out-of-pocket costs level. According to Medicare Interactive, "F and J are offered as high-deductible plans," which means coverage begins after you meet a deductible.
Availability
Medigap costs vary depending on location. Not all Medicare beneficiaries will have plans willing to accept them in their area, and availability depends on whether you are over or under age 65.
Major Medigap Level Changes
After June 1, 2010, E, H, I and J will no longer be available for purchase, but two plans, M and N, will be introduced to the market. If you already had an E, H, I, or J plan, you will continue to get coverage without any changes.
Furthermore, what the plan can or cannot cover depends on whether it was purchased before or after June 1, 2010. Plans purchased before June 1, 2010, can cover at-home recovery and preventive care, however those purchased after will not, but they can cover hospice care.
Before Part D was enacted, H, I, and J offered drug coverage. No levels offer drug coverage anymore, but if one purchased a plan with drug coverage, they can continue using it though they may have to pay a penalty if they ever decide to switch to Part D.
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