10 things to know about medigap plans

10 things to know about medigap plans


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WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY AARP asked a group of experts to give Medicare enrollees some advice about Medigap plans. These experts included: Bonnie Burns, a consultant for California Health


Advocates, a nonprofit organization focused on Medicare advocacy and education; Tricia Neuman, executive director for the Program on Medicare Policy at KFF, a not-for-profit organization


focused on health policy research; and Ray Walker, director of the Medicare Assistance Program at the Oklahoma Insurance Department. Here’s their advice: PLANS THAT OFFER MORE COMPREHENSIVE


COVERAGE: C, F (IF ELIGIBLE), G These generally have higher premiums but cover the majority of Medicare cost-sharing. C and F even pay your annual Part B deductible ($226 in 2023); G does


not. PLANS THAT PROVIDE GOOD COVERAGE FOR LESS MONEY: D, N D plans cover almost everything that C, F and G plans do, but not Part B “excess” charges by some doctors; nor do they cover the


Part B annual deductible. Under Plan N, you pay $20 for most doctor visits and a $50 copay for some emergency room visits. PLANS THAT ARE SENSIBLE IF YOU HAVE CHRONIC HEALTH CONDITIONS: C,


D, F, G, N These have good coverage for doctor visits and lab tests, as well as time in the hospital and extended stays at skilled nursing facilities. PLANS FOR SAVING A BUCK — BUT READ THE


FINE PRINT: HIGH-DEDUCTIBLE F OR G; K, L ​ These plans tend to have the lowest monthly premiums because you must pay a deductible ($2,700 in 2023 for high-deductible F and G) or reach an


out-of-pocket limit ($6,940 for Plan K) before full coverage kicks in. PLANS THAT MAKE SENSE IF YOU DON’T EXPECT TO VISIT THE HOSPITAL OR NEED SKILLED NURSING: A, B ​ Plans A and B cover


many routine costs but don’t cover skilled nursing facility co­insurance ($200/day after 20 days); Plan A doesn’t cover Medicare Part A hospital deductibles. WORST PLANS FOR HOSPITAL


COVERAGE: A, K, L, M ​ Medicare’s Part A hospital deductible is $1,600, and you pay it with each new hospital admission. Plan A doesn’t cover it; Plan M pays half; and Plans K and L cover a


percentage (50 and 75 percent, respectively) until you reach your out-of-pocket limit.