Does Medicare Supplement Plan Cover Deductible Costs?

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Medicare Supplement plans can help with deductible costs, but it depends on the specific plan you choose.

Original Medicare has a Part A deductible of $1,364 and a Part B deductible of $185 in 2022.

Some Medicare Supplement plans, like Plan G, cover the Part A deductible, but not the Part B deductible.

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What Is Medigap?

Medigap is another term for Medicare Supplement insurance plans, which are sold by private companies. These plans can help pay some of the out-of-pocket healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles.

Medicare Supplement insurance plans can also help with costs of emergency medical care outside of the U.S. However, they cannot be used to pay another plan's premium, or to pay your Medicare Part A or Part B premium(s).

Understanding Deductibles

Original Medicare has annual deductibles for both Part A and Part B, with the Part A inpatient hospital deductible being $1,364 in 2019 and the Part B deductible being $185.

Medicare Supplement plans can help offset these costs by covering the Part A deductible for some plans, such as Plan C and Plan F.

The Part A deductible is not covered by Plan A, but is covered by Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, and Plan G.

Recommended read: Medicare Part C vs Medigap

Types of Insurance

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Medicare supplement insurance can help cover the costs associated with meeting deductibles for Medicare parts A and B.

The deductible amounts for Medicare parts A and B are $1,632 for Part A per benefit period and $240 for Part B for the year.

Some Medigap plans may pay for a portion (or all) of these deductible amounts, providing relief for those who need it.

Here are the deductible amounts for Medicare parts A and B for 2024:

  • $1,632 for Part A per benefit period
  • $240 for Part B for the year

Types of Secondary Insurance

Secondary insurance can be a bit confusing, but it's essential to understand how it works with Medicare. There are multiple types of secondary insurance policies that may interact with Medicare.

Medicaid is a state-run assistance program that serves low-income people, regardless of age. It's always secondary to Medicare, meaning Medicare pays first for services that Medicaid covers.

Employer coverage can be secondary insurance, but it depends on the company size. If your employer has less than 20 employees, Medicare may be the primary insurance. However, if your employer has more than 20 employees, Medicare will become the secondary insurance.

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Here are some examples of how secondary insurance works with Medicare:

It's crucial to speak with your employer to understand how your policy is set up, especially if you qualify for Medicare. This will ensure you know how claims are paid when you receive services.

What Insurance Mean?

Primary and secondary insurance are two types of insurance that work together to cover your medical expenses. Primary insurance pays the claim first, and secondary insurance pays after your primary insurance benefits are exhausted.

The coordination of benefits (COB) ensures that your claims are paid without paying more than 100% of the claim. This is determined by Medicare law, which assigns a status to each insurance program.

Here's a quick rundown of how it works:

  • The primary insurance is the party that pays the claim first
  • Secondary insurance pays after your primary insurance benefits for a claim are exhausted

Who Is Ideal For?

If you're considering different types of insurance, it's essential to understand who each one is ideal for.

People who are comfortable paying a higher deductible in exchange for lower monthly premiums might find Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G suitable for their needs.

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You might be a good fit for this plan if you don't often see the doctor or need to visit the hospital.

Living in a state that allows excess charges is another factor to consider.

If you enjoy traveling outside the U.S., Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G might be a good choice for you.

Insurance Coverage

Medicare Supplement plans can help offset the costs associated with Original Medicare, including deductibles. These plans can pay for deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, making healthcare more affordable.

Some Medigap plans can also cover the cost of medical care while traveling abroad, which is particularly appealing to Medicare recipients who spend time traveling outside of the United States. For example, plans C, D, F, G, M, and N cover 80 percent of emergency healthcare services when traveling outside the US.

Here's a breakdown of the deductibles covered by Medigap plans:

  • $1,632 for Part A per benefit period
  • $240 for Part B for the year

Keep in mind that some Medigap plans may pay for a portion (or all) of these deductible amounts.

What If I Still Owe Medical Bills After Insurance?

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If you still owe money after your primary and secondary insurance pay, you'll receive a bill from your doctor. This is because the coordination of benefits process only covers what your insurance policies pay, leaving any remaining balance to you.

The amount you owe will depend on the specifics of your insurance policies, including the Medigap plan you have. For example, if you have a Medigap plan like Plan K, you'll be responsible for 50% of skilled nursing facility costs, while Plan M will cover 50% of the Part A deductible.

If you have a Medigap plan that covers foreign travel medical costs, such as Plan F, you'll be covered for 80% of these costs. However, if you have a Medigap plan like Plan L, you won't have any foreign travel medical coverage.

Here's a breakdown of the out-of-pocket limits for different Medigap plans:

Keep in mind that these limits only apply to Medigap plans and may not be relevant to other types of insurance coverage.

What Cover?

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Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, can help cover some of the costs associated with Original Medicare, including deductibles.

Medigap plans can pay for Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital fees, as well as Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment costs.

All Medigap plans cover at least some portion of Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital fees, Medicare Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment costs, Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment costs, and blood transfusion costs, up to the first 3 pints.

Some Medigap plans also cover skilled nursing facility costs, Medicare Part A deductible, Medicare Part B deductible, Medicare Part B excess charges, and emergency medical costs during foreign travel.

Here's a breakdown of what some Medigap plans cover:

Some Medigap plans may also cover foreign travel medical costs, with Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan M, and Plan N covering 80% of these costs.

Medigap plans can vary in costs and benefits, but they can help make healthcare more affordable and give you more access to services you might otherwise be unable to afford.

Worth a look: Medicare Medigap Plan

Insurance Costs

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The cost of Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G can vary significantly depending on several factors, including your age, location, tobacco usage, and gender.

The average monthly cost for Medicare Plan G High Deductible is around $40-$90, but prices can differ based on these factors.

In Las Vegas, Nevada, the average monthly cost for a 65-year-old female is $56.00, while for a 65-year-old male it's $61.00.

In New York, New York, the average monthly cost is $84.00 for both 65-year-old females and males.

In Chillicothe, Ohio, the average monthly cost for a 65-year-old female is $54.00, while for a 65-year-old male it's $55.00.

As you can see, prices can vary significantly based on location. Here's a breakdown of the average monthly costs in each of these cities:

The costs also increase with age, with 75-year-old females in Las Vegas paying $79.00 per month and 75-year-old males paying $88.00.

In New York, 75-year-old females and males pay the same average monthly cost of $84.00.

Choosing a Carrier

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You have many options when it comes to choosing a carrier for your Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G. There are over 20 top-rated carriers available.

Some of the most well-known carriers offering this plan include Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. These carriers have a reputation for providing reliable coverage.

Aetna alone offers this plan through several subsidiaries, including Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company and American Continental Insurance Company. This means you may have multiple options within the Aetna family.

Other notable carriers include Mutual of Omaha, Humana, and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield. These carriers have been around for a while and have a track record of providing quality coverage.

Here are some of the top-rated carriers offering Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G:

  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • UnitedHealthcare
  • Mutual of Omaha
  • Humana
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and there may be other carriers available in your area. It's always a good idea to work with a licensed Medicare agent to compare options and find the best fit for your needs.

Pros and Cons

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Medicare Supplement plans can be a great way to cover deductible costs, but it's essential to understand the pros and cons.

The High-Deductible Plan G offers lower monthly premiums, which can be a significant advantage for those on a budget.

One of the main cons of the High-Deductible Plan G is that you'll need to pay a higher deductible before receiving full coverage.

The deductible is indeed costly, and it can rise over time, which may be a concern for some individuals.

However, if you spend more than $2,870.00 on healthcare expenses in a year, you'll enjoy 100% coverage for the rest of the year, which can be a relief.

Here are the key pros and cons of the High-Deductible Plan G:

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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