Medigap Plan A
To qualify for a Medigap plan, you must be covered by Original Medicare. Medigap Plan A is the most basic of all the plans, with the fewest benefits – though there are still a handful of great reasons to include Medigap Plan A as part of your overall insurance coverage.
What Is Included as Part of Medigap Plan A Coverage?
Consumers should take particular care not to confuse Medicare Part A with Medigap Plan A. While the two can work alongside each other in providing comprehensive coverage, they are not the same and should not be confused.
The main features and benefits of Medigap Plan A include:
- Coinsurance and hospital costs as part of Medicare Part A
- Coinsurance or copayment costs incurred as part of Medicare Part B
- Hospice care coinsurance or copayment as part of Medicare Part A
- First three pints of blood required as part of treatment
In essence, Medigap Plan A covers all of the hospital expenses as part of your Medicare Part A plan. However, it does not cover the deductible hospital fee associated with a Medicare Part A policy.
With regards to Medicare Part B, Medigap Plan A will cover all coinsurance and copayment costs in full, though again, you will still have to pay the Part B deductible, which applies to all beneficiaries of a Medicare Part B program.
And finally, to the three pints of blood mentioned above. If you are in need of a blood transfusion, an Original Medicare policy will only pick up the cost for the fourth pint and above – ordinarily, the beneficiary would be expected to pay for the first three pints of blood themselves. With Medigap Plan A, this cost is covered.
