What do Medicare supplement plans cover?
Who is this for?
If you're shopping for Medicare plans, this page will help you understand what you get from a Medicare supplement plan.
Medicare supplement plans, sometimes called Medigap plans, don't work like most health insurance plans. They don't actually cover any health benefits. Instead, these plans cover the costs you're responsible for with Original Medicare.
These costs can include:
- Your Medicare deductibles
- Your coinsurance
- Hospital costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days
- Skilled nursing facility costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days
Here's how it works: You pay a monthly premium for your Medicare supplement plan. In return, the plan pays most of your out-of-pocket expenses. So when you go to the doctor, for example, you don't have to pay the 20 percent coinsurance required by Medicare. Your supplement plan pays it for you. With some supplement plans, you might have a copay instead of the 20 percent coinsurance.
Medicare supplement plans aren't your only option. Medicare Advantage plans help with your Medicare costs, too. They also offer additional health coverage that Medicare supplement plans don't.
The table below breaks down the differences between Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Advantage plans. It might be a good place to start if you're wondering which type of plan is right for you.
| Medicare supplement | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|
| You could have up to three different insurance cards. | You have one insurance card. |
| You coordinate between Medicare, your supplement plan and your Part D prescription drug plan, if you have one. | One company coordinates all your care. |
| Helps pay for costs you have with Original Medicare. | Many plans include extra benefits Original Medicare doesn't offer like dental, vision and prescription coverage. |
| No network rules. You can see any doctor that accepts Medicare. | Some plans won't cover care you get outside their network. |
Medicare supplement plans don't include Part D prescription drug coverage. So if you're thinking about buying one of these plans, you'll want to make sure you buy a separate Part D plan. A Medicare supplement plan might be a good choice for you if you already have prescription coverage through an employer or military benefits.
You can read more about how supplement plans work in our help section.
Important information about your plan
The Medicare deductibles, coinsurance and copays listed are based on the 2023 numbers approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. You can go to any hospital, doctor or other health care provider in the U.S. or its territories that accepts medicare. You don't have to use our network. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan administers Blue Cross medicare Supplement plans. Where you live, your age, gender and whether you use nicotine products (including e-cigarettes, vaping, and nicotine patches or gum) may affect what you pay for your plan. Your health status may also affect what you pay. This is a solicitation of insurance. We may contact you about buying insurance. Blue Cross Medicare Supplement plans aren't connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
If you're currently enrolled in Plan A or Plan C, you can stay with your plan as long as you pay your premium. You may enroll in Plan C if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You're also eligible if you had Plan C, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan C. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You're automatically eligible for Plan A if you're 65 or older. If you're under age 65, you are eligible for Plan A if you've lost coverage under a group policy after becoming eligible for Medicare. You can also enroll if you had Plan A, then enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, and now would like to return to Plan A. You can do this as long as it's within the first 12 months of your Medicare Advantage plan. You'll need to meet these requirements to apply for these plans.
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