Medicare 101
Medicare Supplement Plans for Low Income
by Christian Worstell | Published February 18, 2021 | Reviewed by John Krahnert
Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs can put a strain on Medicare beneficiaries, especially those with a low income. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) helps cover some of these out-of-pocket costs, which helps individuals better plan for their insurance costs. Learn more about Medigap below.
Medicare’s Out-of-Pocket Costs
Even if a product or service is covered by Medicare, there are some costs you may have to pay out of pocket, including:
- Part A deductible: $1,484 per benefit period (in 2021)
- Part A coinsurance for hospital stays past 60 days: Starting at $371 per day and increasing after 91 days
- Part B Deductible: $203 per year (in 2021)
- Part B coinsurance: 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for a service
These costs are in addition to your Part B monthly premium. The standard premium is $148.50 in 2021.
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medicare Supplement Insurance can help cover some of Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. In most states there are 10 standardized Medigap plans to choose from, each providing coverage for a unique mix of basic benefits. No matter which Medigap plan you choose, you are guaranteed at least partial coverage for:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First three pints of blood
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
Typically, the more comprehensive the Medigap plan, the more expensive it is. A licensed agent can help match you with a Medigap plan that meets your coverage needs and budget. You can speak with a licensed agent now by calling 1-800-995-4219.
To learn more about Medigap, including the basic benefits of each plan, refer to the following chart or read through some of our guides below.
Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
Medicare Supplement Benefits
Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage
Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
First 3 pints of blood
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A deductible
Part B deductible
Part B excess charges
Foreign travel emergency
| A | B | C* | D | F1* | G1 | K2 | L3 | M | N4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| 50% | 75% | 50% | |||||||
| 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plan F and Plan C are not available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F or Plan C as long as they are available in your area.
+ Read more1 Plans F and G offer high-deductible plans that each have an annual deductible of $2,370 in 2021. Once the annual deductible is met, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. The high-deductible Plan F is not available to new beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
2 Plan K has an out-of-pocket yearly limit of $6,220 in 2021. 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 $3,110 in 2021. 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 $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission.
- Read lessFind Medicare Supplement Plans Where You Live
A licensed insurance agent can help you find Medicare Supplement Insurance plans that are available where you live.
Call to speak with a licensed agent today to get help comparing plan benefits and costs so you can find a plan that fits your needs.
Compare Medigap plans in your area.
Find a planSources:
Medicare Costs: https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/costs-at-a-glance/costs-at-glance.html
Medicare Supplement: https://medicare.com/medicare-supplement/how-does-medigap-help-people-with-low-income/
Kaiser Family Foundation: http://www.kff.org/medicare/perspective/the-gap-in-medigap/
