Medicare Supplement Plan A: The Foundation of Medigap Coverage

When you choose the Traditional Medicare path, you are taking control of your healthcare. You get to see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, without needing a permission slip from an insurance company. But Traditional Medicare doesn't cover everything. That's where a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan comes in.

Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic Medigap policy available. It covers the core benefits that every other Medigap plan builds upon. If you want to protect what you've earned from the most significant out-of-pocket costs of Medicare Part A and Part B, Plan A provides that foundational layer of security.

By federal law, benefits are standardized. That means a Plan A from one insurance company offers the exact same medical coverage as a Plan A from another company. The only difference is the price and the company's reputation for customer service. We are on your side of the table to help you sort through those differences.

What Medicare Supplement Plan A Covers

Plan A covers the essential gaps left by Original Medicare:

• Medicare Part A Coinsurance and Hospital Costs: If you have a long hospital stay, Medicare Part A coinsurance can drain your savings quickly. Plan A covers these costs up to an additional 365 days after your Medicare benefits are exhausted.
• Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment: Medicare Part B generally covers 80% of approved outpatient services, like doctor visits and lab tests. Plan A covers the remaining 20% coinsurance.
• Blood (First 3 Pints): If you need a blood transfusion, Original Medicare doesn't pay for the first three pints of blood each year. Plan A covers this cost.
• Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment: Plan A covers your share of the costs for hospice care and respite care under Medicare Part A.

What Medicare Supplement Plan A Does Not Cover

Because it is the most basic plan, Plan A leaves several gaps open. It does not cover:

• Medicare Part A Deductible: You will be responsible for paying the Part A deductible when you are admitted to the hospital.
• Medicare Part B Deductible: You must pay the annual Part B deductible before Medicare starts paying its share for outpatient services.
• Medicare Part B Excess Charges: If a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan A does not cover these excess charges.
• Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance: If you need care in a skilled nursing facility after a hospital stay, Plan A does not cover the daily coinsurance.
• Foreign Travel Emergency: Plan A does not provide coverage for emergency medical care outside the United States.

Is Plan A Right for You?

Plan A might be a fit if you want the absolute lowest monthly premium for a Medigap plan and are comfortable taking on the risk of the Part A deductible and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. However, many people find that the premium difference between Plan A and more comprehensive plans like Plan G or Plan N is small enough that the extra coverage is worth the cost.

Remember, the Medsup vs MA is a rigged comparison; the real choice is Traditional Medicare (A+B) vs Medicare Advantage. The supplement decision comes AFTER you choose Traditional Medicare - it's a component of the Traditional path, not an alternative to Advantage. Understand the two paths first, then decide; if Traditional, a supplement fills the gaps by law.

You don't have to figure this out alone. We are licensed in all 50 states and built by people like you. We will walk you through every option, showing you the real numbers so you can make an informed decision.

Your dollars are votes. Don't waste them on the wrong coverage. Let's look at the rates in your area and see if Plan A makes sense for your situation, or if another plan offers better value.