Medigap Plan A
Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement plan, and all Medicare insurance carriers are required to offer it. Medigap Plan A is one of the less popular Medicare Supplement options on the market, with only 1% of Medigap enrollees choosing this plan in 2019.
Remember that Medigap Plan A IS NOT the same as Medicare Part A. Medigap Plan A is Medicare Supplement Insurance plan. Medicare Part A is the part of Original Medicare that covers hospitalization and inpatient care.
Though Plan A offers fewer benefits than the other Medicare Supplement plans, it can still cover a decent amount of your medical expenses.
What does Medigap Plan A cover?
Medigap Plan A offers the least number of benefits of any Medigap plan. However, if you are looking for a policy with a lower monthly premium, it could be a suitable option for you. Plan A covers:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance payments for inpatient hospital care up to an additional year after your Medicare benefits have been expended
- Medicare Part A hospice care copayments/coinsurance expenses
- Medicare Part B copayments/coinsurance expenses
- Your first three pints of blood (necessary for a medical procedure)
These benefits are referred to as the Core Policy Benefits that every plan must offer. Other plans can provide up to five additional benefits, making Plan A the most basic plan.
However, this also means that Plan A may come with a lower premium. It is important to note that Medigap Plan A doesn’t cover:
- Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care coinsurance
- Medicare Part B excess charges
- Emergency costs incurred from foreign travel
If you aren’t concerned about out-of-pocket hospital expenses or don’t have plans to travel outside of the United States, Medigap Plan A might be a suitable option for you.
Medigap Plan A for People Under the Age of 65
Not all Medigap plans are open to people under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to receiving disability benefits, but Plan A is the policy that is most frequently available to these individuals.
In many states, such as Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas, Plan A is one of the only (if not the only) Medicare Supplements offered to Medigap enrollees under the age of 65. However, there are some states that don’t offer any Medigap plans to disability beneficiaries at all.
In many states, if you choose to purchase Plan A under the age of 65, your premium can be significantly higher than it would be for those 65 years of age or older. However, somes states regulate Medigap premiums, keeping them low for enrollees under the age of 65.
If you would like professional advice regarding whether or not this Medigap plan is right for you, reach out to a licensed insurance agent here at Medicare Plans Direct. We can answer all of your Medigap questions and help you find the Medicare Supplement that best fits your needs.
