Medicare Supplements Overview
Medicare supplement plans are standardized plans that are designed to cover some, and in some cases, all the patient cost-share responsibility associated with Medicare. There are ten types of Medicare Supplement Plans that exist (Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N), however, not all these plans are available in every state, nor through every company. Please note that supplement plans should not be confused with Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D. It is a requirement that applicants have both Medicare Parts A and B to be eligible for a Medicare supplement plan. There may also be some other underwriting requirements and health eligibility questions if the applicant is not in their Medigap Open Enrollment period, which is the first 6 months from when the applicant is eligible for Medicare or the first 6 months after their 65th birthday. A person may also be qualified for a guaranteed issued plan with no underwriting if the applicant is ending an employer group coverage plan to get on the Medicare supplement plan. Anyone outside of that open enrollment eligibility will be subject to the underwriting and eligibility requirements and may be denied or have a higher premium based on their health.
The plans are standardized, meaning that each specific plan will have the same coverage, regardless of the insurance company providing the plan. However, different insurance companies providing Medicare Supplement Plans will also have different premiums as well as possibly additional ancillary benefits, such as a gym membership or vision discounts that other plans may not provide. The professionals at Health Plans of Texas have extensive experience in Medicare Supplement plans and can help you decide on the right plan for you.
Below is the benefit chart of Medicare supplement plans as of January 1, 2020, which is when there was a change in eligibility for Plans C, F, and high deductible F. Only applicants whose Medicare Parts A and B were effective before January 1, 2020 are eligible to purchase these three plans. Newly eligible Medicare recipients who were hoping to get a plan that covered all Medicare cost-share like the Plan F, would be advised to possibly opt for the Plan G instead. Plan G has the same coverage as Plan F, with the exception that the insured must pay the annual Part B deductible ($203 as of 2021). The plan would pay 100% of the cost-share thereafter through the end of the year.
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