An Introduction to Medigap Plan G

Why would you want Medigap coverage? Medigap policies like plan G are guaranteed renewable as long as you pay your insurance premiums. The Medigap policy cannot be cancelled due to deterioration in health, and you do not have to wait for coverage to start if you enroll during the annual enrollment period.

Medicare Advantage plans are not Medigap policies.

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to be allowed to buy a Medigap policy, including the Plan G Medicare supplement.

You can enroll in Medigap plans without experiencing delays in coverage or insurance underwriting if you enroll in the six month period starting the month you turn 65. However, those who are 66 and older can still enroll in Medigap Plan G.

You can cancel your existing Medigap policy and switch to Plan G. However, you must request the cancellation of your old Medicare supplement policy in writing to make the switch.

Medigap plan G covers the Medicare part B co-payment. Plan G pays 100% of all excess charges above the Medicare part B coverage, the charges above the amount Medicare covers.

Medigap plan G covers the Medicare Part A coinsurance and related hospital costs for up to a year after the Medicare limit has been reached. Medicare supplement plan G covers the Medicare Part A hospice co-pay. It covers killed nursing coinsurance. It pays for the Medicare Part A deductible but not the Part B deductible.

Medigap plan G will help you pay for skilled nursing facility care, crucial coverage if you want to avoid serious medical bills when recovering from a heart attack or stroke.

Plan G pays for the first three pints of blood a patient receives and the cost of all subsequent units you may require.

Your family is not covered under Medigap plan G. Unlike private health insurance policies, Medigap insurance is per person. A married couple must purchase two separate Medigap policies, one per person.

Medigap plan G does not cover nursing home care for long term care, vision, hearing aids, dental care and in home nursing care. Long term care insurance should be considered for those at risk of spending more than a year in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility.

Medigap policies like Plan G no longer include prescription drugs. This benefit is now part of Medicare plan D.

Nor does it cover Medicare Part B excess charges, those charges above the Medicare approved amounts. Nor will it pay for skilled nursing care at facilities that are not approved by Medicare.

The Medigap policy premium is paid to the private health insurance company offering the Medigap plan, while the Medicare premium is paid to the government.

Companies that sell Medigap policies must offer Medigap plan A; if they offer any other Medigap policies, they must offer at least Plan C and Plan F. Not all Medigap insurers offer Medigap plan G. Ask the insurance company if they offer Plan G, one of the Medigap policies with the lowest annual premiums, when you are looking for a Medigap policy.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, has not eliminated Medicare or Medigap insurance. Enrolling in Medicare does satisfy the health insurance mandate under Obamacare, though Medigap supplemental plans are not required.