Comparing Medigap Plans
Here's what you need to know about comparing Medigap plans.
Ready to compare plans? Talk to a licensed insurance agent today
Whether you're interested in comparing Medicare Supplement plans during the Annual Enrollment Period - or you're enrolling in Medigap for the first time - there is a lot to consider when determining the right coverage for your needs.
United Medicare Advisors will walk you through the Medigap plans you may consider, including the most popular Medigap plans, and provide you with some clear, concise tips as you evaluate your coverage needs for the year ahead.
Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart
You will notice that some of the benefits listed on the left side of Medicare Supplement comparison charts are shared by all Medigap plans. That's because all Medigap policies must legally provide some basic benefits. However, some policies offer additional benefits that are also listed on any Medicare Supplemental Insurance comparison chart.
Most states have 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans. Medicare supplement plans are standardized in a different way in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Regardless of the state, you'll usually see the plans referred to by letters of the alphabet (Plan A, Plan B etc.).
1 As of Jan. 1, 2020 Medicare Supplement plan types C and F will no longer be made available to beneficiaries who become Medicare-eligible after Dec. 31, 2019. For those who became Medicare-eligible prior to Jan. 1, 2020, Medicare Supplement plan types C and F will remain active and available for future enrollment.
1 Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. With this option, you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of $2,700 in 2023 before your policy pays anything. (Plans C and F aren't available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.)
3 Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
4 After you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year
Popular Medicare Supplement Plans
Medigap plan popularity can vary by region and individual preferences. However, if you're looking to compare some of the most popular Medigap plans overall, you should draw your attention to Medigap Plans F, G and N.
The main reason these plans are so popular is because they provide some of the most comprehensive coverage among all Medigap plans, as the table above indicates. If you're considering these three plans, there are a few important areas to note:
- Plan F is no longer available to newly eligible beneficiaries: If you enrolled in Medicare after 2020, you will not be able to enroll in Medigap Plan F.
- Plan G has high coverage with lower premiums. Because Plan G requires beneficiaires to pay the Part B deductible out of pocket, it typically has lower premiums than Plan F while offering similar comprehensive coverage.
- Plan N provides cost-sharing control. Because Plan N requires copayments for certain services such as doctor's visits and emergency room visits, it usually has lower premiums than Plans F and G. However, unlike those plans, Medigap Plan N exposes the beneficiary to excess charges - meaning that a doctor could charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service. That beneficiary would be required to pay that excess amount.
| Area of Comparison | Medigap Plan F¹ | Medigap Plan G | Medigap Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | ✅ | ✅ | ✅³ |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Skilled nursing facility care insurance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Part A deductible | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Part B deductible | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Part B excess charge | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) | 80% | 80% | 80% |
| Out-of-pocket-limit⁴ | N/A | N/A | N/A |
1 As of Jan. 1, 2020 Medicare Supplement plan types C and F will no longer be made available to beneficiaries who become Medicare-eligible after Dec. 31, 2019. For those who became Medicare-eligible prior to Jan. 1, 2020, Medicare Supplement plan types C and F will remain active and available for future enrollment.
3 Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
4 After you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year
Tips for Comparing Medigap Plans
The Medigap Plan Comparison Chart above can provide you with a good understanding of the benefits offered by each Medigap plan type. This can help you identify which plan letter appeals to you as you decide your upcoming coverage needs, whether that's during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period or any other time during the year.
Below are a few tips to help you compare Medigap plans and decide on an option for the year ahead:
- Understand Your Needs: Your evaluation should begin with an assessment of your current and anticipated healthcare needs. In addition to areas like anticipated doctor visits and existing (or developing) medical conditions, you should also factor in lifestyle and financial areas. For instance, if you're planning on traveling, especially out of the country, Medicare Supplement plans help ensure you're covered abroad.
- Review Plan Coverage: The Plan Comparison Chart above helps provide you a broad overview of the coverage each plan letter provides.
- Check Plan Availability: Not all Medigap plans are available in each state, and even if they are, insurance providers may not sell the plan you're looking for. Working with a licensed insurance agent can help you compare multiple plan types across multiple carriers at once.
- Evaluate Costs: After working with a licensed insurance agent, you should evaluate the costs associated with each plan type per carrier. Keep in mind that while the benefits for all same-letter plans are standardized, the insurance provider premium can vary.
- Seek Advice: A licensed insurance agent can help you focus on what matters most to you as you evaluate plans. United Medicare Advisors' licensed insurance agents help this process by conducting a needs assessment, and then comparing rates from over 20 national carriers so you can feel confident in finding the coverage you want for the year ahead.
What About Dental, Vision and Hearing Coverage?
Medicare Supplement plans do not cover dental, vision and hearing insurance. If you're interested in this coverage, a licensed insurance agent at United Medicare Advisors can help you compare plans available in your area and enroll in this additional coverage.
