Compare Medicare Supplement Quotes and Medigap Plans

A Medicare Supplement Insurance policy (also called a Medigap policy) is health insurance sold by insurance companies to fill gaps in your Original Medicare coverage.

Medigap policies are used to help assist you in paying for your copayments, or deductibles of Medicare covered services.

Medicare Supplement Insurance companines can only sell you a “standardized” Medigap policy identified by letters A through L.

Since a Medicare Supplement Insurance company can only sell you a “standardized” Medigap policy each policy must offer the same basic benefits, no matter which insurance company provides the insurance. Cost is usually the only difference between Medigap policies sold by different insurance companies. That is why it is so important to get the best price on your Medigap coverage.

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period begins on the first day of the month in which you are both 65 years of age (or older) and you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. This period lasts 6 months. When did your period begin?

This is the best time to purchase a medicare supplement because an insurance company cannot turn you down, apply any conditions, or charge more due to a health problem. Insurance companies can apply a waiting period for pre-existing conditions to your medigap policy, but that can be eliminated or shorten if you have had prior credible coverage.

How to read the Medigap chart below: If a check mark appears in the column, this means that the Medigap policy covers that benefit up to 100% of the Medicare-approved amount. If a column lists a percentage, this means the Medigap policy covers that benefit at that percentage rate of the Medicare-approved amount. If no percentage appears or if the column is blank, this means the Medigap policy doesn't cover that benefit. Note:The coverage of coinsurance only begins after the deductible has been satisfied.

Medigap Benefit

Medicare Part A Coinsurance and Medigap Coverage for Hospital Benefits

Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment

50%

75%

Blood (First Three Pints)

50%

75%

Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment

50%

75%

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance

50%

75%

Medicare Part A Deductible

Medicare Part B Deductible

Medicare Part B Excess Charges

Foreign Travel Emergency (Up to Plan Limits)

At-Home Recovery (Up to Plan Limits)

Preventive Care Coinsurance (Included in the Part B Coinsurance)

Preventive Care not Covered by Medicare (up to $120)

2008 out-of-pocket limit:

$4,400**

$2,220**

*Plans F and J also have a high deductible option. You must pay the first $1,900 (deductible in 2009) in Medigap-covered costs before the Medigap policy pays anything. You must also pay a separate deductible for foreign travel emergency ($250 per year).

**After you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your $135 yearly Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

Basic Benefits

• Coinsurance for days 61-90 ($256 per day) and days 91-150 ($534 per day) in hospital

• Payment in full for 365 additional hospital days

• 20% coinsurance for physician and other Medicare Part B services

Medicare Part A Hospital Deductible

• The 2009 deductible is $1068

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance

• $133.50 a day for days 21-100 in a Skilled Nursing Facility in 2009

Medicare Part B Yearly Deductible

• The 2009 deductible is $135

Medicare Part B Excess Charges

• Difference between doctor's charge and Medicare's approved amount

• Up to 15% above the Medicare approved charge which is the doctor’s maximum charge

Foreign Travel Emergency

• Pays 80% of the cost of emergency care during the first two months of each trip after you pay a $250 deductible

• Lifetime maximum of $50,000

At-Home Recovery

• While receiving skilled home care, extra home health aide visits

• Home health aides up to eight weeks after skilled care is no longer needed

• Maximum of $40 per visit to 40 visits, total of $1,600 per year

Preventive Care

• Up to $120 per year for preventive services ordered by doctor

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