What is Medigap Supplement Plan A?
Please note that Medicare Supplement Plan A is not the same as Medicare Part A. Instead, it is one of ten Medicare supplement plans that help cover medical expenses that traditional Medicare does not cover.
What does Medigap Plan A insurance cover?
Supplement Plan A is a basic plan that covers the following expenses:
- Part A Hospital Coinsurance
- Days 61-90 of a hospital stay in each Medicare benefit period
- Days 91-150 of a hospital stay. Medicare will only pay for these 60 days once during your lifetime
- Additional Part A Hospital Benefits
- An extra 365 days of inpatient hospital care after you use your Original Medicare hospital benefits
- Part B Coinsurance
- Pays for the Part B coinsurance after you meet your annual deductible
- Part A and B Blood Coverage
- Pays for the first three pints of blood per calendar year
- Part A Hospice Coinsurance
- Pays for outpatient prescriptions drug and inpatient respite care coinsurance
When can you enroll in Medigap Plan A?
The best time to enroll is when you first become eligible because you can enroll in any plan regardless of health problems. An insurance company cannot deny coverage due to health status or a pre-existing condition. In addition, you will pay the same premium as any other enrollee. To be eligible for open enrollment, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part B. Eligibility starts the first month you turn 65 and have Part B. This is called your open enrollment period.
If your open enrollment period passes, you may still be able to enroll in a plan, but there is no guarantee. Outside of open enrollment, applicants are subject to insurance company underwriting policies. An insurance company can deny coverage due to your health status. In addition, premium costs may be higher.
What does Mediap Plan A cost?
Plan A premiums can vary depending on when you enroll, state of residence, and health status for those subject to insurance underwriting. However, plan A is one of the more affordable Medigap plans as it just provides basic coverage. Other out-of-pocket costs include the Part A and Part B deductibles. Also, costs include copays from skilled nursing facility care, any excess charges from Part B expenses, and expenses related to travel outside the United States and its territories.