Medigap Plan F
| Medigap Plan F Policy Coverage | |
|---|---|
| Basic Benefits |  |
| Part A Deductible | |
| Part B Deductible | |
| Part B Excess | 100% |
| Skilled Nursing Coinsurance | |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | |
| At Home Recovery |  |
| 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 F policies covering some of the benefits and other considerations.
More on Medigap Plan F Policies
Medigap Plan F policies provide Basic coverage in addition to other benefits. Basic coverage of all Medigap plans includes:
- Medicare Part A Coinsurance, and all costs after hospital benefits are exhausted
- Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment for other than preventative services
- Blood (first 3 pints). Medicare typically covers all costs associated with blood after the first 3 pints.
- Medicare Preventative Care Part B Coinsurance
In addition, Medigap Plan F provides the following additional benefits:
Deductible payments for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B will be covered with a Medigap Plan F policy. Medicare Part B excess charges will also be covered. If a doctor doesn't accept assignment and charges for a bill that is over the limit of what Medicare will pay, then it's considered an excess charge. Plan F policies also cover certain costs associated with Foreign Travel Emergencies, up to plan limits.
One area in particular that Medigap Plan F does not cover is for the Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment. This can lead to a big financial strain for people in the position of facing Hospice care. Hospice care costs add up quickly and care may be required for a long period of time. Another benefit that other Medigap plans offer that Plan F does not is coverage for preventative care not covered by Medicare, up to $120.00. A Medigap Plan F policy does offer a high-deductible option but you must pay for Medicare-covered costs up to the high-deductible amount of two thousand dollars before your Medigap policy pays anything.
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 a Medigap Plan F policy doesn't meet your needs, consider Medigap Plan G policies.