Welcome to Glidden Group! Whether you’re new to Medicare or looking to switch Medicare plans, we know how important it is to find health insurance that fits your needs. Our goal is to help you compare Medicare supplement insurance plans, also known as Medigap, so you can make an informed decision.

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

A Medicare supplement plan, often called Medigap, helps cover costs not paid by Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Medigap Plans are sold by private insurance companies and can offer peace of mind by reducing your out-of-pocket expenses.

Why Do You Need a Plan Comparison?

Choosing the right Medigap Plan can be overwhelming. Different plans offer varying levels of coverage and Medicare benefits. A proper plan comparison can help you find the best Medicare supplement tailored to your healthcare needs and financial situation.

Understanding Medigap Plan Types

Medigap Plans come in 10 standardized types, labeled A through N. Each plan offers a different set of benefits:

Plan A: Basic benefits.
Plan B: Basic benefits plus coverage for the Part A deductible.
Plan C: Covers copayments, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, but not available to those eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Plan D: Similar to Plan C but doesn’t cover the Part B deductible.
Plan F: Offers the broadest coverage but is not available to those eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Plan G: A popular alternative to Plan F, minus the Part B deductible.
Plan K: Covers 50% of certain costs, with higher out-of-pocket limits.
Plan L: Covers 75% of certain costs, with lower out-of-pocket limits.
Plan M: Covers 50% of the Part A deductible and coinsurance.
Plan N: Covers the same as Plan D, with cost-sharing for certain services.

Popular Medigap Plans

Here are some of the most popular Medigap Plans you might consider:

Plan F

Widely considered one of the best Medicare supplement plans due to its comprehensive plan coverage, Plan F covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs. Note that it’s not available to those eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.

Plan G

For individuals not eligible for Plan F, Plan G is a strong alternative. The plan pays everything Plan F does except for the Part B deductible.

Plan N

Plan N is another option that offers solid coverage without a high premium. It includes cost-sharing for certain services, which leads to lower premiums. However there are co-pays of $20 for some office visits and $50 for emergency room visits.

Choose a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan

When selecting a plan, consider factors like eligibility, coverage needs, and premium costs. Here’s a quick guide to choosing:

Eligibility: Determine if you’re eligible for certain plans, like Plan F, which is not available if you became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Coverage Needs: Identify what gaps in Original Medicare you need to fill, such as the Part A deductible or excess charges in Part B.
Cost: Compare the premiums and out-of-pocket expenses associated with each plan to find one that fits your budget.

Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

Comparing Medicare supplement plans is essential to find the one best suited for you. Here are a few key points to consider while comparing the 10 standardized medigap plans:

Standardized benefits across plans make comparison easier.
Plans K and L have out-of-pocket limits, the only Medigap Plans that do.
Consider the cost of premiums and additional out-of-pocket expenses.
Remember that even for the same plan type, premiums can vary by insurance company.

Medigap Plan Comparison Chart

Take a look at this comparison chart to see how different Medigap Plans stack up:

Benefit	Plan A	Plan B	Plan C	Plan D	Plan F	Plan G	Plan K	Plan L	Plan M	Plan N
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs	X	X	X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X	X
Part B coinsurance/copayment	X	X	X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X	X (copayment might apply)
Blood (first 3 pints)	X	X	X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X	X
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment	X	X	X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X	X
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance			X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X	X
Part A deductible		X	X	X	X	X	X (50%)	X (75%)	X (50%)	X
Part B deductible			X		X
Part B excess charges					X	X
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)			X	X	X	X			X	X

Eligibility and Enrollment

To buy a Medigap Plan, you must be eligible for Medicare. Most people become eligible at age 65. Your enrollment period for Medigap starts when you are both 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. This open enrollment period lasts for six months.

During this period, you have a guaranteed right to buy any Medigap policy sold in your state without medical underwriting. This means insurance companies can’t deny you coverage based on your health conditions.

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

It’s crucial to understand the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medigap Plans:

Medigap Plans: Supplement Original Medicare by covering out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Advantage Plans: Provide all Part A and Part B benefits through private insurance companies and often include additional benefits, but typically have networks and may have higher out-of-pocket costs.

How to Compare Medigap Plans

Finding the best Medigap Plan involves comparing different options based on benefits and costs. Here are tips on how to make a comparison:

Use a standardized Medigap comparison chart to see the benefits of each plan side by side.
Consider both the premiums and potential out-of-pocket costs.
Check if the plan covers foreign travel emergencies if you travel frequently.

Medigap Plans Comparison