Medicare Supplement Plans
10 Standardized Medicare Supplement plans called “A” through “J”
There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans called “A” through “J”.The benefits of each plan are different, with the exception that all plans cover the “Basic Benefits” which are identified below. Medicare standardized the plans to limit the consumer’s confusion when comparing coverage offered by different companies. With standardization, the consumer can easily compare the benefits and the cost being offered. Descriptions of benefits follow the table below.
| Medigap Benefit | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicare Basic Benefits | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| Part A Deductible | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | |
| Part B Deductible | * | * | * | |||||||
| Skilled Nursing Coinsurance | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||
| Foreign Travel Emergency | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | ||
| Part B Excess - Above Medicare's Approved Amount | * | * | * | * | ||||||
| Basic Drug Benefit ($1,250 Limit) | ||||||||||
| Extended Drug Benefit ($3,000 Limit) | ||||||||||
| At-Home Recovery | * | * | * | * | ||||||
| Preventative Care | * | * | ||||||||
| 365 Extra Days of Hospital Coverage | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
| 3 Pints of Blood | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * | * |
*Plans F and J also have a high deductible option. If you choose this option, you must pay $1,900 out-of-pocket per year before the plans pay anything. Insurance policies with a high deductible option generally cost less than those with lower deductibles.Your out-of-pocket costs for services may be higher if you need to see your doctor or go to the hospital.
Basic Benefits
- Coinsurance for days 61-90 ($256 per day) and days 91-150 ($512 per day) in hospital
- Payment in full for 365 additional hospital days
- 20% coinsurance for physician and other Medicare Part B services
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
- The 2008 deductible is $1024
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance
- $128.00 a day for days 21-100 in a Skilled Nursing Facility in 2004
Medicare Part B Yearly Deductible
- The 2008 deductible is $135
Medicare Part B Excess Charge
- Difference between doctor's charge and Medicare's approved amount
Foreign Travel Emergency
- Pays 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first two months of each trip after you pay a $250 deductible
- Lifetime maximum of $50,000
At-Home Recovery
- While receiving skilled home care, extra home health aide visits
- Home health aides up to eight weeks after skilled care is no longer needed
- Maximum of $40 per visit to 40 visits, total of $1,600 per year
Preventive Care
- Up to $120 per year for preventive services ordered by doctor
Outpatient Prescription Drugs
- Now covered under Medicare part D & MA/PDP