Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan D

One of 10 Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) Plan D helps pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare.

In comparison to other plan types, Plan D is relatively comprehensive — including seven of the nine available Medigap benefits.

Medicare Plan D vs Part D

Medigap Plan D should not be confused with Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage).

• Medicare Part D is offered as a stand-alone benefit by private insurance companies — available to anyone with Medicare at an additional cost.

• Medigap Plan D is designed to work alongside Original Medicare — and because Medigap policies can no longer be sold with prescription drug coverage, Medicare beneficiaries may have both Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Medigap Plan D Benefits

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan D includes seven of the nine available Medigap benefits, including:

• Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are used up)

• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment coverage (20% of Medicare approved charges)

• Medicare Parts A and B blood deductibles (first three pints)

• Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment

• Medicare Part A deductible

• Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care coinsurance coverage

• Foreign travel emergency coverage (80%, up to plan limits)

To see how the basic benefits of Medigap Plan D compare to those of other Medigap plans, refer to the chart below.

What Doesn’t Medigap Plan D Cover?

Medicare Part B deductible

Medicare Part B covers a range of medical services (both preventative and diagnostic), but before your coverage kicks in, you have to satisfy your Medicare Part B deductible. In 2021, the Medicare Part B deductible is $203 per year.

Medicare Part B excess charges

Part B excess charges are additional charges that you incur if you use a doctor or provider that doesn’t accept assignment — meaning they won’t accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment¹ for covered services.

If you see a non-participating doctor, you’ll be responsible for paying the difference between what Medicare pays for a certain medical service, and what your doctor or provider charges for it.

In some cases, you may be charged up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service (in addition to the 20% coinsurance for care you receive).

Find Medigap Plan D in Your Area

A licensed agent can help you decide on a Medigap option that works for you. Call today to speak with a licensed agent and compare the Medigap plans that are available where you live.

Christian Worstell is a health care and policy writer for MedicareSupplement.com. He has written hundreds of articles helping people better understand their Medicare coverage options.