Plan A is the baseline Medigap plan, available from every Medigap carrier. It covers the four core benefits required by federal law and nothing extra. Premiums are typically the lowest available.
Best for
- Beneficiaries on a tight budget
- Anyone wanting just the federal baseline benefits
Watch out for
Does not cover Part A deductible - the biggest exposure under Original Medicare.
What Plan A covers
- Part A coinsurance & 365 extra hospital daysCovered in full
- Part B coinsurance or copaymentCovered in full
- Blood (first 3 pints)Covered in full
- Part A hospice coinsurance / copayCovered in full
- Skilled nursing facility coinsuranceNot covered
- Part A deductibleNot covered
- Part B deductibleNot covered
- Part B excess chargesNot covered
- Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)Not covered
Compare to other Medigap plans
- Plan BPlan A plus the Part A deductible.
- Plan CComprehensive coverage - closed to anyone newly eligible after Jan 1, 2020.
- Plan DPlan G minus Part B excess. Modest savings, modest reduction in benefit.
- Plan FThe 'everything' plan - closed to newly eligible after Jan 1, 2020.
- Plan GToday's most popular Medigap plan - comprehensive coverage minus only Part B deductible.
- Plan KLower premium, partial coverage with out-of-pocket cap.
- Plan LLike Plan K but covers more - 75% of most cost-sharing.
- Plan MSplits the Part A deductible 50/50 between you and the plan.
- Plan NLower premium than Plan G in exchange for office and ER copays.