PLAN N
Medicare SupplementMedicare Supplement Plan N is one of the standardized Medigap plans available to beneficiaries enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Plan N is designed to fill in several of the “gaps” in Original Medicare coverage, helping with out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn’t pay.
Here’s what the Plan N Medigap policy typically covers:
- Part A Deductible and Coinsurance: Plan N covers the Medicare Part A deductible, which is the amount you’d pay for hospital stays before Medicare starts paying. It also covers the coinsurance for hospitalization, effectively providing coverage for an additional 365 days after Medicare hospital benefits are used up.
- Part B Coinsurance: For most medical services, Plan N covers the Part B coinsurance, which is typically 20% of the Medicare-approved amount. However, there’s a notable exception: for certain office visits, you’ll have to pay up to $20, and for emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission, you’ll have to pay up to $50.
- Blood: The first three pints of blood required for a medical procedure are covered under Plan N.
- Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment: Plan N covers the coinsurance or copayments for hospice care under Medicare Part A.
- Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance: If you need skilled nursing facility care after a hospital stay, Plan N covers the associated coinsurance costs.
- Foreign Travel Emergency: If a medical emergency occurs while you’re traveling outside the U.S., Plan N will cover 80% of billed charges (after you meet a yearly deductible) up to plan limits.
What Plan N Doesn’t Cover:
- Part B Deductible: Plan N does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. You’ll need to pay this amount out of pocket before your Part B coverage kicks in.
- Part B Excess Charges: If a doctor or provider doesn’t accept Medicare assignment (meaning they don’t accept Medicare’s approved amount as full payment), they might charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan N does not cover these excess charges, so you’d be responsible for paying them.
Plan N is a popular choice for many Medicare beneficiaries because it generally offers lower premiums than some other Medigap plans, like Plan G or Plan F. However, it’s crucial to understand that you might have more out-of-pocket costs with Plan N, like the potential copayments for office visits and the possibility of Part B excess charges.
As always, when considering a Medigap plan, it’s a good idea to compare the benefits, premiums, and service of various insurance companies offering Plan N in your area. Premiums can differ between providers even though the benefits are standardized.
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