Medicare Supplement Plan D

Medicare Supplement Plan D helps cover some of the gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B). A Medicare Supplement Plan D policy provides a decent amount of coverage at a relatively affordable rate when compared to other Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. While Plan D is not one of the top Medigap plans in terms of enrollment numbers, it is still a great option if you wish to enroll in a plan to help cover a portion of your out-of-pocket costs.

Below, we dive into Medigap Plan D, how it works with Original Medicare, and how you can utilize this plan to help save money on your annual healthcare expenses.

What is Plan D Medicare Supplement?

Medicare Supplement Plan D is one of the standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans available nationwide. Medigap plans pay secondary to Original Medicare and help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs you would otherwise be responsible for. Once Original Medicare pays its portion of your healthcare coverage, your Medigap Plan D then covers its portion.

Medicare Supplement plans allow you to visit any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Original Medicare with no network restrictions. Thus, you can see a doctor in Oklahoma and receive the same coverage as if you saw a doctor in Rhode Island.

Because benefits are standardized and Medicare is a federally regulated program, you can use your Original Medicare and Medigap coverage nationwide. Further, doctors cannot decline your Medigap plan because of the carrier. If the doctor takes Original Medicare, they must accept your Medigap plan regardless of the company.

Many Original Medicare enrollees elect to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan because of the the coverage’s accessibility and ease of use. When using a Medigap plan, you never have to worry about surprise costs. If you fully understand your plan’s benefits, you will never be blindsided by unexpected medical bills when utilizing Medicare Supplement coverage.

Medicare Supplement Plan D Benefits

Medicare Supplement Plan D is one of the less common Medigap plans people on Medicare choose. Yet, it is a great option if you wish to have coverage in case of an emergency and live or receive care in a state that does not allow excess charges.

With Original Medicare alone, you are left with no out-of-pocket maximum. Thus, you have no financial protection if you require extensive care, which can lead to many thousands of dollars in required payment. With Medicare Supplement Plan D, you will receive coverage to help limit your actual spending and place some of the risk on your Medigap plan. Meaning, some form of extra coverage is better than no extra coverage at all.

In addition to covering your out-of-pocket expenses, Medicare Supplement Plan D also offers foreign travel emergency coverage if you experience an emergency situation abroad.

Enrolling in Medicare Supplement Plan D can provide great benefits when using your plan to its potential. When researching Medigap plans, comparing benefits is the best way to determine the right choice for you.

Medicare Supplement Plan D Comparison Chart for 2023

The chart below compares the benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan D with the other Medigap plans available.

As you can see, Medicare Supplement Plan D covers several essential benefits.

What Does Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan D Cover?

Medigap Plan D offers crucial benefits to those who enroll. These benefits include:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance and copayments
• Medicare Part B coinsurance and copays
• Foreign travel emergency coverage

Medicare Supplement Plan D has similar benefits to the popular Medicare Supplement Plan G. The only difference between the two plans is that Medigap Plan G covers Medicare Part B excess charges at 100%, and Plan D does not cover them at all.

However, the lack of excess charge coverage is not a concern in many circumstances. Some states do not allow excess charges, and most physicians in the states that do allow excess charges accept Medicare assignment.

Thus, such coverage is often not necessary. However, in the instance you receive care from a doctor who does not accept Medicare assignment, you would be responsible for up to a 15% additional charge for your service. So, with Medigap Part D, you would need to pay an additional 15%.

What Isn’t Covered Under Medicare Supplement Plan D?

Medicare Supplement Plan D provides a wide array of benefits. However, it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible or Medicare Part B excess charges.

So, for Medigap Plan D to begin paying benefits, you must first cover the Medicare Part B deductible out-of-pocket. Once you meet this annual deductible, your plan will cover the remaining Medicare-approved costs. Other than that, you will only be responsible for any excess charges you’d encounter, as your plan will pick up the balance of your expenses that Original Medicare covers.

In addition to these costs that Medigap Plan D does not include, it also does not cover dental, vision, hearing, or prescription drugs. These services are essential to most people on Medicare, so you will need to obtain additional coverage to receive these benefits.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan D Cost

The average cost of Medigap Plan D varies based on your age, ZIP Code, and gender. On average, Medicare Supplement Plan D costs around $120-$200 per month.

In many places, the cost of Medigap Plan D is equal to or even higher than that of Plan G. Therefore, Medigap Plan G is often a more cost-effective option for most, and this is why Plan D is not as popular among enrollees.

However, this may not be the case in your area. To fully understand your costs and monthly premium, you should work closely with a licensed Medicare agent who can thoroughly review all options available to you.

Below, you can review the premiums of Medicare Supplement Plan D across three different cities throughout the country. For our methodology, we’ve compared a male and female enrolee aged 65 and 75. No one is a user of tobacco products:

Medigap Plan D Pros and Cons

What Carriers Offer Medicare Supplement Plan D?

Medicare Supplement Plan D is available from several carriers across all 50 states. But availability can still vary by location and brand. Nevertheless, here are several top-rated carrier options that may be available in your area:

• 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 the list above isn’t comprehensive look, it does represent many top-rated brands available. This can be intimidating as there are several options, but you don’t have to compare them alone. Working with a licensed Medicare agent can help you identify your needs, the right option for your healthcare and budget, and the right carrier for your benefits.

What is the Difference Between Medigap Plan D and Medicare Part D?

Many people confuse Medicare Part D and Medigap Plan D. Medicare Supplement Plan D is a supplemental policy that pays after Original Medicare and Medicare Part D is a stand-alone prescription drug policy.

Medigap Plan D, just like other Medicare Supplement plans, does not cover prescription drugs. However, you can easily purchase a Medicare Part D drug plan in your state to cover these benefits.

Medicare Part D prescription drug plans help cover the cost for medications you are prescribed based on your selected plan’s drug formulary. Each Medicare Part D plan carries a unique formulary with different drug costs. So, similar to Medigap, the best Medicare Part D plan for you may not be the same as your spouse or next-door neighbor.

Original Medicare, Medicare Part D, and Medigap Plan D can work together to provide you with well-rounded healthcare coverage.

How to Compare Rates for Medigap Plan D

At MedicareFAQ, we strive to provide our clients with the necessary education to make the best decision possible when it comes to Medicare coverage. Our licensed agents are dedicated to ensuring you stay up to speed with your Medicare benefits and help answer any questions you may have regarding additional coverage.

To review Medicare Supplement plans like Medigap Plan D, call us at the number above or complete our online rate form today!

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