Medigap Plan A
| Medigap Plan A Policy Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Basic Benefits |  |
| Part A Deductible |  |
| Part B Deductible | |
| Part B Excess | |
| Skilled Nursing Coinsurance | |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | |
| At Home Recovery | |
| Additional Preventative Care | |
Quick Introduction to Medigap Plans
Medigap is a private health insurance policy that is designed to cover medical costs not covered by Medicare programs. It covers many of the costs that people would otherwise have to pay individually such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. There are twelve different Medigap plans ranging from A to L. Any insurance company offering Medigap plans is required to offer Plan A, other plan availability will vary by insurance company and by state. Medigap policies do not cover long-term care such as nursing homes, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses or private-duty nursing. This article will deal exclusively with Medigap Plan A covering some of the benefits and other considerations.
More on Medigap Plan A
Medigap Plan A -The Benefits
Medigap Plan A covers copayments and deductibles for basic benefits and services. It is typically among the least expensive Medicare Supplement Insurance plans you can get. One important benefit of using Medigap Plan A is that you can visit almost any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. This factor alone makes it a very attractive incentive to sign up for Medigap. Medigap policies may allow you to receive more health care in the long run. Specific benefits of Medigap Plan A include 100% of:
- I. Medicare Part A Coinsurance and all costs after hospital benefits have been exhausted
- II. Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment for anything other than preventive services
- III. The first three pints of blood. Medicare typically covers all costs associated with blood after the first 3 pints.
- IV. Medicare Preventive Care Part B Coinsurance
Medigap Plan A Considerations
Since Medigap Plan A only covers basic necessities, there are many expenses it does not cover. Many of these items are significant expenses to the average person who requires regular health care. Some of the areas where Medigap Plan A offers little to no coverage:
- Long term custodial care at home or in a nursing home
- Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance
- Vision care
- Foreign Travel Emergency (Up to Plan Limits)
- Dental care
- At-home Recovery (Up to Plan Limits)
- Hearing aids
- Medicare Part B Excess Charges
- Private duty nursing
- Preventive Care not Covered by Medicare (up to $120)
- Unlimited prescription medications
- Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment
- Medicare Part A Deductible
- Medicare Part B Deductible
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People With Medicare (2009).
These may or may not be important expenses and limitations, depending on your situation. If Medigap Plan A doesn't meet your needs, consider Medigap Plan B.