Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement (Medigap) option available to Medicare beneficiaries. If you are new to Medicare or qualify under age 65, knowing how Medicare Supplement Plan A benefits work is essential.
Below, we review Medicare Supplement Plan A and how to utilize the basic Medicare Supplement plan’s benefits to your advantage.
What is Medicare Supplement Plan A?
Like all Medigap plans, Medicare Supplement Plan A helps cover the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B) leave behind.
There are 12 standardized Medicare Supplement plans available in most states. Each lettered plan offers the same benefits regardless of carrier. Thus, enrolling with the right company is as important as finding the best plan for your needs.
Medicare Supplement Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement plan available to beneficiaries. This plan covers the minimum benefits required by a Medicare Supplement plan.
Medicare Supplement Plan A – Core Medigap Benefits
Medicare Supplement Plan A is the basis of all other Medicare Supplement plans. All the benefits covered by Medicare Supplement Plan A are also covered by all other lettered plans. Yet, other Medicare Supplement plans cover benefits Medicare Supplement Plan A does not.
Medicare Supplement Plan A Covers:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance – hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copay
- First three pints of blood
- Medicare Part A hospice coinsurance or copay
- Medicare preventive care coinsurance
Medicare Supplement Plan A Does Not Cover:
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Medicare Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Based on the benefits, when you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan A, you still must meet the Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles. However, the plan covers many copayments and coinsurances after meeting the deductible.
How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan A Cost?
Medicare Supplement Plan A is one of the cheapest Medigap plans available, alongside the high-deductible plans. However, the premium cost directly correlates to the benefits a plan provides. So, a low premium means a lower level of benefits.
On average, Medicare Supplement Plan A can cost between $80 to $200 each month. However, this is just an average estimate. The monthly premium price for Medicare Supplement plans vary depending on your age, health, sex, ZIP Code, and other factors determined by the carrier.
Consequently, your cost could be higher or lower than the above range.
Medicare Supplement Plan A Under 65
In many states, Medicare Supplement Plan A is the only available plan for those who qualify for Medicare due to disability under age 65. Not all states require carriers to offer a Medigap option to Medicare recipients on disability. However, carriers in states with this requirement often only provide limited options. Medicare Supplement Plan A is always one of these offerings.
If you enroll in Medicare under age 65, your monthly premium can be almost double what a recipient over 65 would pay. Insurance companies consider those on disability a higher risk, so they charge more for the same insurance.
Medicare Part A vs. Medicare Plan A
Medicare Parts and Medicare Plans are not the same. It is not uncommon to confuse Medicare Part A and Medicare Plan A. Medicare Part A is the inpatient coverage portion of Original Medicare, and Medicare Plan A is the core benefit Medicare Supplement plan.
The Medicare alphabet can become confusing. However, anytime you hear about a Medicare Part, this means one of the four Parts of Medicare. Medicare Plans refer to Medicare Supplement policies.
How To Know if Medicare Supplement Plan A is Right for you
Medicare Supplement Plan A is best for those who are under 65, looking for the benefits of a Medicare Supplement plan at a low monthly premium, are okay with having some out-of-pocket costs when receiving care, and do not often travel outside of the United States.
If you are interested in learning more about Medicare Supplement Plan A, it is vital to work with a licensed agent knowledgeable about Medigap plans. Often, Medicare Supplement agents have access to several policies from top carriers, so you do not need to speak to a representative from each company.
