Plan A
Medicare Supplement plans are also known as Medigap insurance. These plans act as supplemental insurance to Medicare Part A and Part B, which you’re required to have to qualify for a Medicare Supplement plan.
Medigap Plan A does offer coverage for some of the out-of-pocket expenses that remain after Original Medicare has paid their portion. Of all the Medicare supplements, Plan A includes the least amount of benefits. However, it also has the lowest premiums and one of its benefits it does cover is the one that would otherwise cost the most out-of-pocket.
Core Policy Benefits in Medigap Plan A
Plan A includes the least amount of benefits of all the Medicare supplements. It offers coverage for what are called the core policy benefits. Core policy benefits are included in all Medicare supplements. Plan A doesn’t cover more benefits than it does cover.
In other words, this plan covers just the common things that are required by Original Medicare benefits.
Therefore, 100% of coverage includes:
- Part A coinsurance
- hospital stay costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits reach their limit
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First three blood prints
- Part A coinsurance and copayment for hospice care
Coverage Not Included in Plan A
Individuals Who Benefit from Plan A
Medigap Plan A Premiums
Plan A for Individuals Younger than 65
Not all Medicare supplements are available to individuals who are eligible for Medicare but are still under 65 years old. Sometimes, Plan A is the only option and the premium is often double or triple what it is for Medicare beneficiaries who are 65 and older. The reason for the higher premium is that Medicare beneficiaries who have become eligible due to a disability often have higher medical costs.
Individuals who are receiving Social Security disability benefits are the one individuals who are eligible for a second open enrollment period without having to pass medical underwriting. When they turn 65, the second open enrollment window begins and they will have the opportunity to choose a different Medicare supplement.
Medigap Plan A versus Medicare Part A
While this can be confusing, “plans” and “parts” mean different things in Medicare. “Parts” refer to benefits of Original Medicare and “plans” refer to Medicare supplements.
Medicare Part A includes hospital coverage – your “room and board” for hospital stays. Medigap Plan A is the supplemental coverage you can purchase to fill in the gaps in coverage of Medicare Parts A and B.Medicare Supplement plans are offered by private insurance companies and at their core, they’re meant to help with some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
How to Compare
MEDIGAP PLAN A RATES
There is a lot of information about each plan online, but to get an accurate quote, you’ll need to enlist the help of a licensed Medicare agent. Instead of calling each insurance carrier to get a quote, we can compare premiums across many different carriers, ensuring that you enroll with one that gives you the best rate.
We’ll need to collect some information from you in order to provide quotes since your premium is based on your information and health history, but our services come at no additional cost to you! If you choose to enroll in a Medigap plan through our agency, we also offer unlimited support. If you have problems with your coverage or have questions about how your plan works, we will be here to help.
