Medicare is a federal insurance program for people age 65 and older and certain disabled people. It is run by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which is part of the United States Department of Health and Human services. Medicare is the nations's largest health insurance program and covers 39 million Americans.

Medigap (Medicare Supplemental) insurance covers some of the costs not paid by Original Medicare, like the coinsurance payments for doctors' and hospital services.

Private insurance companies sell Medigap insurance and can offer ten different plans to people on Medicare. These standard plans are labeled Plan A through Plan J. Each plan offers a different set of benefits, fills different "gaps" in Medicare coverage, and varies in price.

No matter which insurance company offers the plan, all plans with the same letter provide the exact same benefits. For example, Plan H always covers up to $1,250 in annual prescription drug costs.

Deciding which Medigap plan best meets your needs takes careful consideration. Each offers different benefits. Some plans cover the Medicare deductibles and coinsurance only. Others also provide limited home care and prescription drug coverage.

But, none of the plans covers the following benefits:

• long-term custodial care at home or in a nursing facility
  
  
• vision or dental care
  
  
• hearing aids
  
  
• private-duty nursing
  
  
• unlimited prescription drugs.

The Medicare supplemental insurance program consists of:

• Medicare Part A - Hospital Insurance for hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health and hospice care.

   

• Medicare Part B - Supplemental medical insurance for doctor services, outpatient hospital services, durable medical equipment and a number of other medical services and supplies.

   

• A third availability is limited coverage for preventative services.

Not "ALL" medical charges are paid for by Medicare. Some services are not covered at all. Medicare supplements, also known as Medigap insurance policies, fill in the "gaps" left by Medicare. Medigap policies are

Medigap Policies

Medigap policies are sold in 10 standardized plans. This list gives you a quick and easy look at all the Medigap insurance plans and what benefits are in each plan.

Basic Benefits
Included in All 10 Plans

• Inpatient Hospital Care:
  Covers the Part A coinsurance and the cost of 365 extra days of hospital care during your lifetime after Medicare insurance coverage ends.
• Medical Costs:
  Covers the Part B coinsurance (generally 20%of the Medicare-approved payment amount)
• Blood:
  Covers the first 3 pints of blood each year.

The Ten Plans

Plan A Policy

Basic Benefits

Plan B Policy

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Deductible

Plan C Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Deductible

Foreign Travel Emergency

Plan D Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Plan E Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Foreign Travel Emergency

Preventive Care

Plan F Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess (100%)

Foreign Travel Emergency

Note:
Plan F has a high deductible option.

Plan G Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess (80%)

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Plan H Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Foreign Travel Emergency

Basic Drug Benefit ($1,250 limit)

Plan I Policy

Basic Benefits

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess (100%)

foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Basic Drug Benefit ($1,250 Limit)

Plan J Policy

Basic Benefits

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess (100%)

Foreign Travel Emergency

At-Home Recovery

Extended Drug Benefit ($3,000 Limit)

Preventive Care

Note: Plan J has a high deductible option.

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