Compare Medicare Supplement & Medigap Plans A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,I,J,K,L

There are 12 standardized Medicare Supplement plans “A” through “L”.
The benefits of each plan are different, with the exception that all plans are required to cover the “Basic Benefits” which are identified below. Medicare standardized the plans in 1990 to limit the consumer’s confusion when comparing coverage offered by different insurance companies. With standardization, the consumer can easily compare the benefits and the cost between the different insurance companies offering the plans. The words "Medicare supplement" and MediGap plans are interchangeable and mean exactly the same thing. The descriptions of benefits of each of these plans are in the table below.

How to read the chart: If a check mark appears in the column, this means that the MediGap policy covers that benefit up to 100% of the Medicare-approved amount. If a column lists a percentage, this means the MediGap policy covers that benefit at that percentage rate of the Medicare-approved amount. If no percentage appears or if the column is blank, this means the MediGap policy doesn't cover that benefit. Note: The coverage of coinsurance only begins after you have paid the deductible on plans K & L. This does not apply to the Medicare Part B excess charges in Plan G.

Medicare Supplement Standardized Plan Summary. Choose a letter to see the plan summary.

Medicare Supplement Benefit Information Until 05/31/2010

Medicare Part A Coinsurance and MediGap Coverage for Hospital Benefits

Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Co-payment

50%

75%

Blood (First Three Pints)

50%

75%

Hospice Care Coinsurance or Co-payment

50%

75%

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance

50%

75%

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess Charges

80%

Foreign Travel Emergency (Up to Plan Limits)

At-Home Recovery (Up to Plan Limits)

Preventive Care Coinsurance (Included in the Part B Coinsurance)

Preventive Care not Covered by Medicare (up to $120)

2010 out-of-pocket limit:

$4,620**

$2,310**

*Medicare Supplement Plans F and J also have a high deductible option. We don't recommend the high deductible plans. If you select the high deductible plans you have to pay the first $2,000 (deductible in 2010) in MediGap-covered costs before the MediGap policy pays anything. You must also pay a separate deductible for foreign travel emergency ($250 per year).

**After you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your $155 yearly Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

Basic Benefits
• Coinsurance for days 61-90 ($275 per day) and days 91-150 ($575 per day) in hospital
• Payment in full for 365 additional hospital days
• 20% coinsurance for physician and other Medicare Part B services

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
• The 2010 deductible is $1100

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance
• $137.50 a day for days 21-100 in a Skilled Nursing Facility in 2010

Medicare Part B Yearly Deductible
• The 2010 deductible is $155

Medicare Part B Excess Charges
• Difference between doctor's charge and Medicare's approved amount
• Up to 15% above the Medicare approved charge which is the doctor’s maximum charge

Foreign Travel Emergency
• Pays 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first two months of each trip after you pay a $250 deductible
• Lifetime maximum of $50,000

At-Home Recovery
• While receiving skilled home care, extra home health aide visits
• Home health aides up to 40 visits after skilled care is no longer needed
• Maximum of $40 per visit to 40 visits, total of $1,600 per year

Preventive Care
• Up to $120 per year for preventive services ordered by doctor