Medicare Supplement Plan A

Medicare Supplement Plan A helps cover a few of the out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) requires enrollees to pay. Of all Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, Medicare Supplement Plan A covers the lowest number of benefits.

However, without coverage, the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan A could cost you the most out-of-pocket in the long run. Below, we review Medicare Supplement Plan A, its benefits, costs, and how enrolling could help your health and finances.

What is Medicare Supplement Plan A?

Medicare Supplement Plan A is a standardized Medigap plan available in all but three states throughout the U.S. If you reside in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, you cannot enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan A. However, these three states all offer similar Medigap plans that come with basic benefits despite not sharing the same lettered naming convention.

Like other Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Supplement Plan A provides the same benefits per plan option across the United States – no matter where you live or receive care. Any physician who accepts Original Medicare will also accept your Medigap policy, regardless of the carrier offering the plan.

Medicare Supplement Plan A provides you with the lowest benefit level of all Medigap plans. However, adding this coverage to Original Medicare will still allow you to save on out-of-pocket costs throughout the year.

Additionally, Medicare Supplement Plan A is a popular choice among those on Medicare due to disability. In some areas, Medicare Supplement Plan A might be the only option available to those on Medicare under 65. Thus, while it is not known as one of the best Medigap plans for seniors, enrollment in Medicare Supplement Plan A is higher than some other plans.

Core Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan A

Medicare Supplement Plan A offers the least benefits among all Medicare Supplement plans. This plan only covers core policy benefits. Core policy benefits are benefits that all Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans cover. Meaning, Medicare Supplement plans in general offer more benefits that Medigap Plan A does not cover.

Yet, enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan A can still be a great option for you, depending on your health and budget needs. Each Medicare enrollee requires a different level of care. Thus, the right plan for you doesn’t always work for someone else. If you believe Medicare Supplement Plan A is right for you, comparing carriers is the next step to enrolling in coverage.

Medicare Supplement Plan A Coverage Chart for 2023

The chart below compares Medicare Supplement Plan A to the other Medicare Supplement plans available nationwide. Here, it is easy to note that Medicare Supplement Plan A does not offer as many benefits as other plans.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan A Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan A covers only the basic benefits a Medicare Supplement plan must legally include. This plan offers a low level of benefits for those who wish to put a cap on their Original Medicare spending. Without a Medicare Supplement plan, Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket limit. Thus, some extra coverage is better than none.

Benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan A include:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance
• Medicare Part B coinsurance
• First 3 pints of blood
• Medicare Part A hospice coinsurance
• Preventive care coinsurance

While these benefits are not as extensive as other Medigap plans, they can still save you from paying extremely high medical bills. When you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan A, you will still receive the same coverage from Original Medicare with the addition of your Medigap benefits.

This means Medicare Part A (inpatient/hospital) and Medicare Part B (outpatient/doctor) coverage does not change. Your Medicare Supplement plan just picks up the balance (coinsurance) after you reach their respective deductibles).

Remember, if you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan A, you are still responsible for paying the Medicare Part B premium, as well as the Medicare Supplement Plan A premium, if applicable.

What Isn’t Covered by Medicare Supplement Plan A?

With its limited benefit offerings, Medicare Supplement Plan A is markedly less comprehensive than other Medigap plans in terms of coverage.

Some benefits Medicare Supplement Plan A does not cover, that other Medigap plans do, include:

• The Medicare Part A deductible
• Medicare Part B deductible
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance
• Excess charges
• Foreign travel emergency coverage

So, if you enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan A, you will be responsible for 100% of these costs if applicable to you.

Other services that Medicare Supplement Plan A does not pay for include dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs. If you wish to receive these benefits, you must enroll in separate insurance plans. Enrolling in additional coverage for these benefits will not affect your healthcare coverage.

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan A Cost?

The average cost of Medicare Supplement Plan A is around $110-$180 per month. There are varying factors that influence your monthly premium.

Your Medicare Supplement Plan A premium is based on where you live, how old you are, your gender, and several other factors. Thus, it is difficult to provide exact premium rates without knowing details about the individual who will receive coverage through the policy.

Typically, women pay less than men, and the younger you are, the lower your monthly premium will be. Additionally, some states upcharge those who use tobacco products.

Below, we’ve compared men and women aged 65 and 75 that don’t use tobacco across three different states. Here are what their Medicare Supplement Plan A costs look like on average:

Medicare Supplement Plan A is Ideal For

Let’s take a look at those who may find Medicare Supplement Plan A to be the best candidate for coverage:

• Those looking for a lower monthly premium
• People not concerned about out-of-pocket hospital costs
• Those who do not travel outside the United States

If you feel that you meet these criteria, Medicare Supplement Plan A may be right for you. Comparing options is the best way to determine which Medigap plan is right for you.

Working with an agent who can easily explain your options will help cut your research time and allow you to enroll in coverage sooner rather than later. Every Medicare Supplement plan can be suitable as the best extra coverage for someone’s Medicare.

Medicare Supplement Plan A Pros and Cons

What Carriers Offer Medicare Supplement Plan A?

Medicare Supplement Plan A coverage is available throughout all 50 states and among many different carriers. Here are several top-rated brands that offer this coverage for Medicare beneficiaries:

• Accendo
• Aetna
• Aetna Health and Life Insurance Company (An Aetna Company)
• American Continental Insurance Company (An Aetna Company)
• American Retirement Life Insurance Company (A Cigna Company)
• Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Bankers Fidelity
• Blue Cross Blue Shield
• Cigna
• Combined Insurance
• Continental Life Insurance Company (An Aetna Company)
• Equitable
• ForeThought Life Insurance
• Gerber Life Insurance
• Government Personnel Mutual
• Heartland National
• Humana
• Individual Assurance Company
• Loyal American Life Insurance Company (A Cigna Company)
• Lumico
• Manhattan Life
• Medico
• Mutual of Omaha
• National General
• New Era Life Insurance
• Omaha Insurance Company (A Mutual of Omaha Company)
• Oxford Life
• Philadelphia American Life Insurance
• SilverScript (A CVS Caremark Company)
• Standard Life and Casualty
• Stonebridge Life Insurance (A TransAmerica Company)
• TransAmerica
• TransAmerica Premier (A TransAmerica Company)
• United American
• UnitedHealthcare
• UnitedHealthcare (AARP Medicare Supplement)
• United of Omaha (A Mutual of Omaha Company)
• United World (A Mutual of Omaha Company)

While this isn’t every carrier offering Medicare Supplement Plan A, it does represent many of the top-rated options available. Working with a licensed Medicare agent can be beneficial because there are so many options. You’ll receive help comparing your options to identify the right option for your healthcare and budget.

Medicare Supplement Plan A Under 65

If you’re on Medicare due to a disability, you may find that Medicare Supplement Plan A is one of the few Medigap plans available to you in your state. However, you’ll find that in most cases, the premium for Medicare Supplement Plan A for those under 65 will be at least double – if not triple – what it would be for someone 65 or older.

This is due to most beneficiaries on Medicare under 65 having higher medical costs than people aging into Medicare at 65.

Those on Medicare due to SSDI benefits, or who qualify because of an ESRD or ALS diagnosis, are the only individuals who receive a second Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which is a window to enroll without having to Medicare Supplement underwriting questions. Upon turning 65, they use this window to then enroll in a Medigap plan without underwriting. Thus, a carrier cannot deny them a policy due to pre-existing conditions.

Are Medicare Supplement Plan A and Medicare Part A the Same Thing?

Whenever you mention a Part of Medicare, you are referring to Original Medicare Part A or Part B, Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C), or a Medicare prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D). When talking about a Medicare Plan letter, you are always referring to Medicare Supplement plans.

Medicare Part A is your inpatient Medicare coverage, while Medicare Supplement Plan A is supplemental coverage that will pay for some out-of-pocket expenses your Medicare Part A and Part B do not cover.

While the two may be easy to confuse, Medicare Part A and Medicare Supplement Plan A are not the same.

How to Compare Medigap Plan A Rates

At MedicareFAQ, our goal is to help our clients first understand all aspects of their Medicare coverage, then help them enroll in the plan that best suits their needs. We believe that education is the most important factor in helping our clients choose their Medicare coverage.

Whether you're aging into Medicare at age 65, or seeking supplemental coverage under 65, we can help. To receive your free side-by-side Medigap premium rate comparison, give us a call, or complete our
online rate form. We look forward to helping you succeed on your Medicare journey.

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