Medigap Plan B offers a step up from basic coverage, filling in some critical gaps left by Medicare, including the often-overlooked Part A deductible. While this plan provides essential benefits, understanding what’s covered and what’s not is key to avoiding unexpected costs. Our Medicare Supplement Insurance Representatives are here to help you navigate these options and make sure you’re fully informed—keep reading to learn how Medigap Plan B could protect your health and your finances.
Information Provided by a Medicare Supplement Insurance Representative
Medicare with Plan B
The chart below describes the common Medicare benefits along with gaps left by Medicare for you to pay
| I. In patient | Gap (you pay) | Plan B | |
| days 1-60 | deductible* | $1,632.00 | ✔ Paid |
| days 61-90 life time reserve | coinsurance | $408.00 | ✔ Paid |
| days 91-150 | coinsurance | $816.00 | ✔ Paid |
| after 150 days Medicare quits paying | next 365 paid in full | ✔ Paid |
| II. Skilled Nursing | Gap (you pay) | Plan B | |
| Medicare pays 20 days in full | |||
| days 21-100 | $204.00 | ✖ Not Paid |
| Gap (you pay) | Plan B | |
| Annual Deductible | $240.00 | ✖ Not Paid |
| Medicare Covers 80% | 20% | ✔ Paid |
| Part B Excess | 100% | ✖ Not Paid |
| $50,000 emergency medical outside USA $250.00 deductible 80/20 | ✖ Not Paid |
*The hospital benefit period is reset by Medicare 60 days from your previous hospital release date.
It is optional that each insurance company selling Medigap or Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans may offer the Plan B in its selection of plans. Plan B offers the basic services standardized by Medicare along with a few other benefits above Medicare Supplement Plan A.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan B offers the least benefits of any Medigap Plan that also pays the Medicare Part A (Hospital) deductible. Plan B will not fill many of the gaps left by Medicare. Like Medicare Supplement Plan A this is also reflected in the cost of the plan. While the premium may be more affordable, you must be aware of the financial risk should you need certain hospital and medical services.
Medicare Supplement Plan B includes basic benefits which include:
- Hospitalization: Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end.
- Medical Expenses: Medicare Part B coinsurance (generally 20% of Medicare-approved expenses) or copayments for hospital outpatient services. Plans K, L, and N require insured to pay a portion of Part B coinsurance or copayments.
- Blood: First 3 pints of blood each year. Hospice: Part A coinsurance.
Hospice Care will be included in all Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans as of June 2010, however, Medicare Supplement Plan B does not provide comprehensive coverage for many of Medicare’s gaps. For example Medicare Supplement Plan B does not cover skilled nursing care, Medicare Part B (Medical) deductible, foreign travel, or Medicare Part B (Medical) excess. The excess can be very important because you would be responsible for the medical bills above the amount approved by Medicare.
All plans were standardized by the federal government in 1992 for your protection. This means that you are to go by the letter I.D. of the plan to determine what benefits each plan will cover.
The only 2 things that an insurance company who offers a Medicare Supplement Plan B can have any control of are:
Underwriting
Premium price
We have only briefly touched on one Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, and as you can see it can be very confusing and somewhat overwhelming. We deal with Medicare daily and your Medicare Specialist here at MedicareMall.com can “Take the Mystery Out of Medicare” by walking you through the maze every step of the way. We are committed to you by shopping the best plans from the top companies available. We will do what it takes to make sure you become a very happy, satisfied MedicareMall.com client. To find out more if a Medicare Supplement Plan B is right for you, contact a Medigap Plan Representative now or talk to one of our licensed Medicare Specialists by entering your zip code and clicking the ‘Go’ button.