Medigap Plan D

Medigap Plan D, sometimes called Medicare Supplement Plan D, is one of the 10 policies available to help round out your Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. Be careful not to mix up Plan D with Part D, which is the separate prescription drug benefit.

What Plan D Covers

Plan D takes care of most of the essential services and expenses, such as:

Medicare Part A hospital copayments for inpatient stays — plus an extra 365 days once your Medicare benefits run out
Medicare Part B copayment
Your first 3 pints of blood
Part A hospice care copayment
The Medicare Part A deductible
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Foreign Travel Emergency care — up to the plan's limits

Which Costs Fall on You?

A Plan D policy closes most of the gaps in Medicare, with two exceptions: the Part B deductible and any excess charges. Choose Plan D and you'll cover those two items yourself.

An excess charge is the additional amount you owe when a physician bills above the Medicare-approved rate.

Who Qualifies and When to Sign Up

A few eligibility requirements apply when purchasing any Medigap plan:

You need Original Medicare Parts A and B, and you cannot hold both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time.
Each Medigap policy covers a single individual, so your spouse would have to purchase their own separate plan.
Insurers are not required by law to offer Medigap coverage to people under 65. If you're under 65 with Original Medicare, the plan you want may not be available to you.

If Medigap interests you, your first opportunity to enroll is during Medigap Initial Enrollment — a six-month window that starts the moment you turn 65 and sign up for Medicare Part B. Miss that window and you might be unable to get your preferred plan, or it may carry a higher price.

How Insurers Set Your Rate

Every Medigap policy carries a monthly premium, and the exact figure can differ from one plan to the next. Insurance companies use three approaches to price their premiums:

Community rated — Every purchaser of the plan pays an identical monthly amount regardless of age.
Issue-age rated — Your premium is tied to your age at the time you first bought the plan. Buying younger means a lower premium, and it won't climb simply because you age.
Attained-age rated — Your premium reflects your CURRENT age, so it rises as the years go by.

Is Plan D the Right Fit?

If you're thinking about a Medigap plan, it pays to weigh several policies available in your area. Doing so shows you how premiums are calculated and gives you a sense of the total cost of the coverage.

It's also smart to line up Plan D rates against those for Plans F and G. Some folks are happy to pay a bit more for the peace of mind that every gap is handled, while others prefer some cost-sharing in exchange for lower monthly premiums. The decision is completely up to you.

Quottes Can Help

Our experienced, licensed agents partner with top-rated insurance carriers to make it simple for you to compare rates and settle on the plan that fits your needs and budget. Reach out online or call 941-894-6460 for a FREE Medicare Supplement quote.