Medicare Supplement Plan B: What It Covers and How It Works

When you choose the Traditional Medicare path, you're taking control of your healthcare. But Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover everything. That's where a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy comes in. Medicare Supplement Plan B is one of the standardized options designed to fill specific gaps in your coverage.

Benefits are standardized by federal law. This means a Plan B from one carrier offers the exact same medical benefits as a Plan B from another carrier. The only difference is the price you pay and the company's track record.

Plan B covers the basic benefits included in Plan A, plus one significant addition: the Medicare Part A hospital deductible.

Here is exactly what Medicare Supplement Plan B covers:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
• Blood (first 3 pints)
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Medicare Part A deductible

What Plan B does not cover:

• Medicare Part B deductible
• Medicare Part B excess charges
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency care

We believe in straight answers, no surprises. Plan B is a step up from the bare minimum of Plan A, but it still leaves you exposed to Part B excess charges and skilled nursing facility costs. For many of the people we work with - people who want to protect what they've earned - the math often points toward more comprehensive options like Plan G or Plan N. But your situation is your own, and we're here to walk you through every option.

Because benefits are standardized, your focus should be on finding a carrier with stable rates and a solid reputation. Premiums for Plan B vary based on your age, location, and the insurance company [as of 2026, varies by location and age].

Remember, the supplement decision comes AFTER you choose Traditional Medicare - it's a component of the Traditional path, not an alternative to Advantage. If you want the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare without asking a network for permission, Traditional Medicare with a supplement is how you do it.

You've built your life on your terms. Your healthcare should be no different. If you're looking at Plan B and wondering how it stacks up against the rest of the board, let's look at the numbers together. We're on your side of the table.