Medicare Supplement Plan G has been found to be the 2nd most popular Supplement plan. Since Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B do not pay for all the healthcare costs and you are responsible for additional co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles. With a Medicare Supplement Plan G almost all these costs will be paid. Plan G is one of 10 different Medicare Supplement “also known as Medigap” plans you can choose from.
Plan G is one of two Medicare Supplement plans which pays for Medicare Part B excess charges some doctors can charge in some states. Many states allow the provider to charge an extra 15% for doctor visits. These Excess Charges will not be covered by your Medicare Part B however they are covered by Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan F.
Anyone enrolled in Medicare Part B will then be eligible to enroll in one of the Medicare Supplemental plans or Medigap plans like Plan G. The easiest way for you to qualify for this coverage will be during your 6-month open enrollment period (OEP). This will begin for you on (the 1st day of the 1st month) which you have turned 65; or older, plus you are enrolled in Part B.
Enrolling during the Open Enrollment Period will automatically qualify you for a policy and guarantees you won’t be rejected or charged higher premiums for any pre-existing health conditions. Waiting to enroll after the OEP will cause the policy to be “medically underwritten” resulting in higher premiums or problems in finding coverage.
When disabled and also under the age of 65, Medigap eligibility depends on which state you live in. Some of the states have very few Medigap plans or no options for any plans for those who are disabled and for most under the age of 65 you will have to pay a higher premium opposed to those over the age of 65.
Of all the Medigap plans, Plan F will offer you the most complete coverage. It has the same coverage as Plan G with the addition of paying your annual Medicare Part B deductible. Plan F allows you to have the least amount of out of pocket costs, but you will have a higher monthly premium and rate increases over Plan G.
Plan G is like Plan F in that it will cover your excess charges. Plan G differs form Plan C in that it will not pay for you $183 annual deductible for Medicare Part B. If you have concerns about any excess charges but also want to save money on your monthly premiums, then Plan G might be the better option for you rather than using Plan F or Plan C.
While Plan F will offer you slightly better benefits than Plan G; Plan G is a lower cost. The only difference between the 2 plans is Plan F will pay your annual deductible for Original Medicare Part B. The deductible for 2018 is $183 and you could save more than this with lower monthly premiums when choosing Plan G.
In 2020 Plan F and Plan C are to be discontinued for anyone eligible after 2020. Purchasing the plan before 2020 you will not loose your plan. If you turn 65 during 2022 then you will not be able to purchase Plan F. Currently there are no plans to discontinue Medicare Supplemental Plan G. Use the chart below to compare Medigap Plan G to the other options available.