Medicare Supplement Plan C: Covers Part A & B Deductibles (See Eligibility)

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Learn about Medicare Supplement Plan C with SelectQuote

It’s important to know that beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, aren’t able to buy Plan C. Let SelectQuote’s licensed insurance agents help answer your questions about Medicare plans.

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Understanding Medicare Supplement Plan C

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, also called Medigap, work alongside Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare). Medicare Supplement Plan C offers supplemental coverage alongside other standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance plans. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own standardized Medigap plans.

Medicare Supplement Plan C includes coverage for skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, the Original Medicare Part A deductible for hospitalization, the Original Medicare Part B deductible for medical and hospital outpatient expenses, and medical emergency expense assistance (up to plan limits) when traveling out of the country. Beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, aren’t able to buy Plan C.

Important Update to Medicare Supplement Plan C

As of January 1, 2020, Medicare Supplement Plan C is no longer available to purchase. Anyone who was already enrolled in a Medigap Plan C on or before December 31, 2019, was grandfathered in and will be able to continue to use the plan as long as the premiums are paid.

What does Medicare Supplement Plan C cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan C covers all the basic benefits as Medicare Supplement Plans A and B, plus additional benefits.

Covered

Hospital Expenses: Pays 100% of the Original Medicare Part A hospital expenses.

Medical Expenses: Pays Original Medicare Part B coinsurance (20% of Medicare-approved expenses).

Transfusions: Pays for the first three pints of blood you receive in a medical procedure.

Plus, these additional benefits:

Hospice Care: Pays Original Medicare Part A coinsurance or copayment.

Skilled Nursing: Covers facility care coinsurance.

Part B Deductible: Pays 100% of the Original Medicare Part B deductible.

Foreign Travel Medical Emergencies: Pays travel-abroad medical emergency expenses (80% of approved costs up to plan limits).

Not Covered

Part B Excess Charges: Providers who don’t accept Medicare assignments may charge up to 15% more than what Original Medicare is willing to pay, known as Part B excess charges. Medicare assignment is the Medicare-approved cost for a particular medical service. Medicare assignment is accepted by Medicare-approved providers.

Prescription Drugs: Medigap Plan C does not cover prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to cover prescription drug costs.

Who can benefit from this type of supplement plan?

Medicare Supplement Plan C is only available for Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare and enrolled in Medicare Supplement Plan C before January 1, 2020.

Advantages of Medicare Supplement Plan C

Provides the same basic benefits as Medicare Supplement Plan A and Plan B as well as additional benefits
Coverage for skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
Pays Medicare Part A and Part B deductible
Coverage for foreign travel medical emergencies

Disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan C

Beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, aren’t able to buy Plan C
No coverage for excess charges

How much does Medicare Supplement Plan C cost?

Monthly premiums are set by the private insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans and are based on factors like location, age, health status, gender, and various other factors. Depending on these factors, insurance companies may charge different premiums for the same Medicare Supplement Plan C. Companies may not cancel your coverage unless you don’t pay the plan premium, you weren’t truthful on the application, or the Medigap insurance company becomes bankrupt or insolvent.

How Pricing Works For This Plan

Pricing for Medicare Supplement Plan C varies by company. Medigap policies can be priced in three ways: community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated.

Community-Rated: Generally, the same monthly premium is charged to everyone who has the Medigap plan, regardless of age. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Issue-Age-Rated: The premium is based on the age you were when you bought the Medigap plan. Premiums are lowered for people who buy at a younger age and won’t change when you get older. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Attained-Age-Rated: The premium is based on your current age, increasing your premium as you get older. Premiums are lower when you are younger, but continually increase as you age. Premiums may also increase because of inflation or other factors.¹

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans

When You’re First Eligible: The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is when you’re first eligible. You are eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement policy (Medigap) on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. This marks the beginning of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for six months.

You must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B at this time. During this period, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of any health issues.

Outside Open Enrollment: While it’s often better to get coverage when you’re first eligible, you can still apply for Medigap coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period. However, if you apply for coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period, there’s no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a policy if you don’t meet the medical underwriting requirements.

FAQs About Medicare Supplement Plan C

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan C with answers to frequently asked questions.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan C the same as Medicare Part C?

Medicare Supplement Plan C is a supplemental coverage to cover the gaps in coverage from Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage plans, provides an alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are legally required to offer at least the same benefits that are provided by Original Medicare but may include possible additional routine benefits.

How can I lower the costs of my Medigap Plan C?

Each insurance company decides its monthly premium, and since the plans are all standardized, comparing the prices from multiple companies is the best way to find the lowest available cost for your coverage.

Do Medigap plans vary by state?

Medigap plans are standardized, meaning they offer the same benefits across most of the states, except for Wisconsin Medicare Supplement Plans, Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans, and Massachusetts Supplement Plans.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover pre-existing conditions?

While insurance companies can’t typically make you wait for your coverage to start, they may make you wait for coverage if you also have a pre-existing condition. Coverage for pre-existing conditions can be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within six months before the coverage starts under the Medicare Supplement plan.

After the six-month period, the Medicare Supplement plan will cover the condition that was previously excluded. However, it is possible to avoid or shorten the waiting period for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medicare Supplement plan during your Medigap open enrollment period to replace the “creditable coverage” Medigap plan.²

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans

With the number of Medicare Supplement plans available, it’s hard to know which one may be right for your needs. Explore the different Medicare Supplement plans below.

Sources:

¹https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs

²https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/costs

Find the Right Medicare Supplement Plan For You With SelectQuote

It’s understandable to be overwhelmed by all of your options for Medicare plan coverage. At SelectQuote, we’ll walk you step-by-step through the comparing and shopping process to find available Medicare Supplement plans in your area.