Medicare Supplement Medigap comparison

There are 12 standard Medicare supplemental (Medigap) insurance plans that help pay some of your costs in the Original Medicare Plan and for some care it doesn't cover. (If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, such as a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), you don't need a Medigap policy.)

Each standard plan, labeled A through L, offers a different set of benefits, fills different "gaps" in Medicare coverage, and varies in price. Medigap plans K and L are new plans that became available in 2006. The basic benefits for Medigap plans K and L are different from the basic benefits offered in plans A through J. These plans are designed to have lower monthly premiums, but have higher out-of-pocket costs.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, such as a Medicare Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), you don't need a Medigap policy. If you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin, you have different standard Medigap plans to buy. Check with your state insurance department or the Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare: Choosing a Medigap Policy.

To learn more about Medigap plans in your area, see the Medicare Personal Plan finder.

Basic Benefits

All Medigap plans must cover certain basic benefits. These basic benefits are as follows:

Medicare Part A coverage:

Coinsurance for hospital days 61-90 ($256 in 2008) and 91-150 ($512 in 2008)
Cost of 365 more hospital days in your lifetime, once you've used all Medicare hospital benefits

Medicare Part B coverage:

Generally, all coinsurance and co-payment amounts after your meet the $135 (in 2008) yearly deductible for Medicare Part B
The first three pints of blood

Medigap Plan A

Basic Benefits

Medigap Plan B

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible: $1,024 in 2008 for each benefit period for hospital services

Medigap Plan C

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs: Your cost ($128 in 2008) for days 21-100 in a skilled nursing home
Medicare Part B Deductible: Yearly deductible for doctor services ($135 in 2008)
Foreign Travel Emergency
- 80% of the cost of emergency care outside the U.S.
- Up to $50,000 during your lifetime
- You pay a yearly deductible of $250

Medigap Plan D

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Foreign Travel Emergency
At-Home Recovery
- Help for activities of daily living, such as bathing and dressing, if you are already receiving skilled home care covered by Medicare.
- Help for up to eight weeks after you no longer need skilled care
- Will pay up to $40 per visit, seven visits per week, or a total of $1,600 per year

Medigap Plan E

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Foreign Travel Emergency
Preventive Care: Up to $120 per year for preventive services not covered by Medicare

Medigap Plan F*

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Medicare Part B Deductible
Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment
Foreign Travel Emergency

Medigap Plan G

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 80% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment
Foreign Travel Emergency
At-Home Recovery

Medigap Plan H

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Foreign Travel Emergency

Medigap Plan I

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment
Foreign Travel Emergency
At-Home Recovery

Medigap Plan J*

Basic Benefits
Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Skilled Nursing Home Costs
Medicare Part B Deductible
Medicare Part B Excess Charges: Pays 100% of the difference between your doctor's charge and the Medicare approved amount, if your doctor does not accept assignment
Foreign Travel Emergency
At-Home Recovery
Preventive Care

Medigap Plan K**

Basic Benefits
- 100% of Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 days after Medicare benefits end
- 50% hospice cost-sharing
- 50% of Medicare-eligible expenses for the first three pints of blood
- 50% Part B coinsurance after you meet the yearly deductible for Medicare Part B, but 100% coinsurance for Part B preventive services
50% of Skilled Nursing Home Coinsurance
50% of Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Annual out of pocket limit of $4,440 in 2008.

Medigap Plan L**

Basic Benefits
- 100% of Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 days after Medicare benefits end
- 75% hospice cost-sharing
- 75% of Medicare-eligible expenses for the first three pints of blood
75% Part B coinsurance after you meet the yearly deductible for Medicare Part B, but 100% coinsurance for Part B preventive services
75% of Skilled Nursing Home Coinsurance
75% of Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible
Annual out of pocket limit of $2,220 in 2008.

Additional Resources

Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare: Choosing a Medigap Policy
Information about Medigap plans, what they cover and how to choose the best policy.

Medicare Personal Plan Finder
Information on the insurance companies that sell Medigap policies in your area and the range of premiums they charge.

Medicare Savings Programs
Information on state programs for people with limited income and resources that pay some or all of the costs of Medicare.

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
How to contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), an important Medicare partner. Free one-on-one health insurance counseling for people with Medicare.

National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Link to your state insurance department Web site which often lists names and phone numbers of the companies selling Medigap plans in your state.