Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans A and B

Medicare Supplement Plan A

Plan A provides basic, minimum coverage for costs not paid by Medicare Parts A and B. It may be a good choice if you only need limited help with copays and coinsurance. 

Medicare Supplement Plan B

Plan B provides the same benefits as Plan A, plus a little more coverage for hospitalization. This plan might be a good fit if you want extra coverage for hospital expenses.

Note: If you choose Plan A or Plan B, you may not be able to get a different plan with more benefits. If you want to change plans, in most cases, you’ll have to pass medical underwriting.

How do Plan A and Plan B work?

Plan A provides basic coverage for:

• Hospitalization: pays Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end
• Medical Expenses: pays Medicare Part B coinsurance (generally 20% of Medicare-approved expenses) or copayments for hospital outpatient services
• Blood: pays for the first 3 pints of blood each year
• Hospice care: pays Medicare Part A coinsurance

If you choose Medicare Supplement Plan A, you’ll be responsible for paying both your Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles.

Plan B provides basic coverage for:

• Hospitalization: pays Medicare Part A coinsurance plus coverage for 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end
• Medical Expenses: pays Medicare Part B coinsurance—generally 20% of Medicare-approved expenses—or copayments for hospital outpatient services
• Blood: pays for the first 3 pints of blood each year
• Hospice care: pays Medicare Part A coinsurance

Medicare Supplement Plan B also provides coverage for the Medicare Part A deductible for hospitalization. If you choose Plan B, you’ll be responsible for paying your Medicare Part B deductible.