Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G is among the most comprehensive Medigap plans available in most states. Medicare Supplement Insurance works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to cover some of the program’s out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G coverage includes eight of the nine available Medigap benefits.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Benefits
Medigap Plan G insurance basic benefits include:
- Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are used up). Part A coinsurance amounts can range from $0 to up to $682 per day in 2019, depending on the length of your hospital stay.
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment (20% of Medicare approved charges)
- First three pints of blood
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment. Copayment amounts for prescription drugs and other products related to pain relief or symptom control are generally no more than $5. Respite care typically requires a coinsurance payment of 5 percent.
- Medicare Part A deductible. In 2019, the Part A deductible was $1,364 for each benefit period.
- Medicare Part B excess charges. Health care providers that do not accept Medicare assignment may charge up to 15 percent more for products and services.
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care coinsurance coverage. Part A coinsurance may cost up to $170.50 per day during each benefit period in 2019.
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (80%, up to plan limits)
Comparing Plans
To see how Medigap Plan G benefits compare to those of other Medigap plans, refer to the chart below.
| Medicare Supplement Benefits | A | B | C | D | F1 | G | K2 | L3 | M | N4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A co-insurance and hospital costs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part B co-insurance or co-payment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| First 3 pints of blood | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A hospice care co-insurance or co-payment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Co-insurance for skilled nursing facility | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Medicare Part A deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ | |
| MedicarePart B deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Medicare Part B excess charges | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ||||
| 1. Plan F offers a high-deductible plan. This plan requires you to pay a $2,300 deductible in 2019 before it covers anything. 2. Plan K has an out-of-pocket yearly limit of $5,560 in 2019. After you pay the out-of-pocket yearly limit and yearly Part B deductible, it pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year. 3. Plan L has an out-of-pocket yearly limit of $2,780 in 2019. After you pay the out-of-pocket yearly limit and yearly Part B deductible, it pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year. 4. Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission. |
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Medicare Part B Deductible
Medicare Part B covers a range of medical services (both preventative and diagnostic). However, before your coverage kicks in, you must satisfy your Medicare Part B deductible. In 2019, the Medicare Part B deductible is $185 per year.
Beneficiaries with Medigap Plan G have to pay this cost out of pocket, but in exchange, Medigap Plan G premium rates are usually lower than the more comprehensive Medigap Plan F, which does cover the Part B deductible.
Changes are Coming in 2020
As a result of Section 401 of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), supplement plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible will be phased out Jan. 1, 2020. The two Medigap plans affected by this are Plan F and Plan C.
People who already have these types of policies will be exempt, but if you become eligible for Medicare on or after Jan. 1, 2020, Medigap Plan C and Medigap Plan F will no longer be options.
If you become eligible for Medicare prior to Jan. 1, 2020 and don’t already have Plan C or Plan F, you may be able to buy either of them if they are available where you live.
Enrolling In Medigap Plan G
To find out more about Medicare Supplement Insurance plan benefits, speak with a licensed agent. We’ll help you assess your personal health needs and budget, and determine whether Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G is the right Medigap plan for you.
