Plan D
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan D is one of 10 Medigap plans available on the market whose main task is covering certain costs for individuals that haven’t been covered by Medicare Part A and Part B. Like other Medicare Supplement plans, Medigap Plan D is sold by private health insurance companies.
Keep in mind that Medigap “Plan D” is not the same thing as Medicare Part D. Plan D is a type of supplemental insurance that fills some coverage gaps in Original Medicare. Medicare Part D is a prescription drug coverage and a prescription drug benefit, available through Medicare Prescription Drug Plans and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plans.
Coverage Benefits
MEDIGAP PLAN D
Medigap Plan D pays for the Medicare Part A deductible, which is a huge cost-saving benefit for its members. It also offers additional coverage for hospital stays and the Part A copays and coinsurance costs. The Part B deductible is not included in the Plan D benefits.
MEDIGAP PLAN D COVERS:
- Part A coinsurance and up to an additional 365 days of hospital costs after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Part B coinsurance/copayment
- Blood (3 pints)
- Part A hospice coinsurance/copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- 80% of foreign travel exchange
- No out-of-pocket limit
What Medigap Plan D Doesn't Cover?
Even though Medigap Plan D provides pretty good coverage, it’s not the most comprehensive option. For example, Plan D doesn’t cover Medicare Part B excess charges. This can happen when a provider charges and is permitted to charge more than Medicare’s approved amount.
Other things plan D doesn’t cover for new members:
Part B deductible
Prescription drugs.
Long-term care (like non-skilled care you get in a nursing home).
Dental care.
Vision care.
Private-duty nursing.
Individuals Who Benefit from Plan D
Medigap Plan D Premiums
Individual premiums will vary based on which state the individual is seeking coverage in, which carrier they’re purchasing from, and also individual factors like gender, age, tobacco use, and a few other details. The average cost for Plan D ranges from $120-$200 each month. In general, Plan D premiums are higher in states who have a higher cost of living.
When To Enroll In Medigap Plan D?
It is best to enroll in Plan D during your Open Enrollment Period. This period happens only once and it starts once you’re 65 years old with the condition that you have to be enrolled in Medicare Part B. The Open Enrollment Period lasts for six months.
In case you are still working after you turn 65 and are covered by a group employer plan, that is considered to be creditable coverage, and your 6-month period starts after you’ve ended active employment or no longer have that insurance.
How to Compare
MEDIGAP PLAN D 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.
Medigap Plan D versus Medicare Part D
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 D includes coverage for prescription medications. Medigap Plan D is the supplemental coverage you can purchase to fill in the gaps in coverage of Medicare Parts A and B.
