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Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in Chadds Ford, PA
Medigap, also called a Medicare Supplement or Part B supplement, helps pay the costs Original Medicare leaves to you. We compare Medigap plans for clients in Chadds Ford and throughout Delaware and Chester Counties.
How a Medicare Supplement works
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) pays a large share of your hospital and medical bills, but not all of it. You're left with deductibles, coinsurance and copays, and Part B's 20% coinsurance has no yearly limit.
A Medigap policy picks up much of that remaining share. When you see a doctor, Medicare pays its part first, then your Medigap plan pays its part. Depending on the plan, you may owe very little at the time of care.
Because Medigap works with Original Medicare, you can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, usually without referrals. That's helpful if you see specialists in Philadelphia or Wilmington, or spend part of the year out of state.
What Medigap doesn't cover
- Prescription drugsPair your plan with a Part D drug plan.
- Routine dental, vision and hearingThese need separate coverage.
- Long-term custodial careMedigap doesn't pay for long-term care in a nursing home.
Popular Medigap plans compared
Medigap plans are standardized and named by letter. Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to people new to Medicare. Plan N trades a few copays for a lower premium.
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N | High-deductible Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and extra hospital days | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Part A deductible | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Part B 20% coinsurance | Yes | Yes, except some copays** | Yes* |
| Part B deductible | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | Yes | No | Yes* |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Hospice coinsurance and first 3 pints of blood | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Foreign travel emergency care (80%, up to plan limits) | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
* High-deductible Plan G pays after you meet its yearly deductible. ** Plan N may have copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission. Plans C and F are only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Other plan letters (A, B, D, K, L and M) are also available.
Timing matters with Medigap
Your best chance to buy a Medigap plan is during your Medigap open enrollment period.
During your open enrollment period
- Lasts six months, starting the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
- You can buy any Medigap plan sold in Pennsylvania without answering health questions.
- Insurance companies can't charge you more because of past or current health conditions.
After it ends
- Insurance companies can generally ask health questions and may decline coverage or charge more.
- Some situations, like losing other coverage, give you a guaranteed right to buy certain plans.
- Leaving a Medicare Advantage plan later doesn't always let you buy Medigap without health questions.
Is Medigap a good fit for you?
Often a good fit if you
- Want to keep seeing your current doctors and specialists without network rules.
- Prefer a higher, steady premium over paying copays each time you get care.
- Travel or spend part of the year outside Pennsylvania.
- Expect to need regular care, treatments or surgery.
Worth comparing other options if you
- Want the lowest possible monthly premium.
- Would like dental, vision or hearing benefits in the same plan.
- Are past your open enrollment period and have health conditions.
Medigap questions
Is a Medicare Supplement the same as a Part B supplement?
Yes. Medicare Supplement, Medigap and Part B supplement all describe the same kind of policy: private insurance that helps pay the costs Original Medicare doesn't.
Are Plan G policies the same from every company?
The benefits are the same for each plan letter, set by federal rules. What differs is the price, how the company sets and raises premiums over time, and the service you get. That's why comparing companies matters.
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. If you join a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medigap policy won't pay your costs.
Does Medigap include prescription coverage?
Plans sold today don't. Most people with Medigap also enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan.
Do Medigap premiums go up?
They can, based on how the company prices its plans and your age. We'll explain how each company sets its rates and review your premium with you over time.
Keep reading
Compare Medigap plans with Jackie
We'll compare plan letters and companies for your age and ZIP code in Delaware or Chester County.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to get information on all of your options.
Brandywine Insurance Group is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, benefits and costs vary by plan and change each year.