Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison
- Plans A and B: Lower benefits, higher out-of-pocket:
- Medicare Supplement Plan A offers only rudimentary coverage, while Plan B covers basic benefits and the Medicare Part A deductible. Plans A and B usually have greater out-of-pocket costs for services like Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance, Medicare Part B additional costs, and Foreign Travel Care.
- Plans C, F, and G: higher benefits, higher premium:
- Plans C, F, and G provide the greatest supplemental coverage as they pay many of your out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-accredited services. Opt for one of these policies if you’re ready to pay a monthly premium that is usually higher in exchange for more coverage benefits and reduced out-pocket-costs.
- There is also a high-deductible form of Plan F and G, where beneficiaries pay a deductible of $2,340 in 2020 before the Supplement plan starts covering Medicare-covered expenses.
- You can apply for Plans C and F if you first qualified for Medicare before 2020.
- Plans K and L: lower premium rates with cost-sharing:
- Plan K and Plan L are cost-sharing policies that offer lower monthly premiums. These premiums are usually lower as they pay a ratio of the coinsurance for some services rather than the entire insurance cost. The moment the out-of-pocket cap is attained, these policies pay all of the services covered for the remainder of the calendar year.
- Plans M and N: copay structure and mid-range premium:
- Plan M does not cover the Medicare Part B’s deductible and excess charges. It covers 100% of coinsurance and copayments, but only 50% of the Medicare Part A deductible.
- Plan N is designed to cover the Medicare Part B coinsurance, but you handle copays for covered doctor and ER visits in exchange for a monthly premium that is often mid-range.
- Foreign Plans: Medical care in a foreign country:
- Medicare Supplement Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N may provide coverage for up to 80% of some health services you need when you’re traveling abroad. The payments must be recorded within the first 60 days of your trip, and not otherwise be covered by basic Medicare. These plans also have a $50,000 lifespan cap on foreign travel benefits.
