Medicare Supplement Plan N was developed for people who are willing to pay for some copays and a small annual deductible to have lower premium costs (the amount you pay for the plan).

Medigap Supplement Plan N covers:

  • The 20 percent that Medicare Part B doesn’t.
  • Your hospital deductible.
  • Your hospital copays and coinsurance.
  • 80 percent of foreign travel emergency benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan N — what it covers and what it doesn’t — and how to purchase one.

Medicare Supplement Plan N coverage includes:

  • 100 percent of Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up.
  • 100 percent of the Part A deductible.
  • 100 percent of Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.
  • 100 percent of the first 3 pints of blood.
  • 100 percent of skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.
  • 100 percent* of Part B coinsurance or copayment.
  • 80 percent of foreign travel exchange.

It does not cover:

  • Your Part B deductible.
  • Your Part B excess charge.

*With Medicare Supplement Plan N, 100 percent of the Part B coinsurance is paid with the exception of copayments of up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission, as well as copayments of up to $20 for some office visits.

Medicare Plan N does not cover:

If you want outpatient prescription drug coverage, you can purchase Medicare Part D.

If you would like dental, vision, and hearing coverage, consider a Medicare Advantage Plan. However, please note that you cannot have both a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medigap policies are available to help fill the gap between what original Medicare pays and what you pay for medical treatment.

Choices

There are 10 different Medigap Plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) which all feature different coverage and have different premiums. This selection allows you to choose coverage based on your needs and budget.

Standardization

Medigap plans are standardized the same way in 47 of the 50 states. If you live in Massachusetts, Minnesota, or Wisconsin, Medigap policies (including Medicare Supplement Plan N coverage) are standardized differently.

Payment

When receiving a Medicare-approved treatment:

  1. Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount.
  2. Your Medigap policy pays its portion.
  3. You pay your share (if any).

Eligibility

To be eligible for any Medigap plan, including Medicare Supplement Plan N, you must have original Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance).

Spousal coverage

Your Medigap plan only covers you. Your spouse, if eligible for Medicare, would need to purchase a separate policy.

Once you have original Medicare, you can purchase a Medigap policy from an insurance company. To pick a specific plan and insurance company, many people consult with a trusted family member, friend with a current Medigap policy, or insurance agent.

Others may contact their state’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Program) for guidance. Your SHIP should be able to provide free help in choosing a policy as well as a Medigap rate comparison guide.

Your state most likely has more than one insurance company selling Medigap policies. Often, the cost of the same coverage varies from company to company.

Medicare Supplement Plan N coverage is one of 10 federally standardized options to help fill “gaps” in original Medicare coverage. It’s an option for people who want broad coverage but, to lower their premiums, are willing to pay for some copays and a small annual deductible.

Like all Medigap plans, Medicare Supplement Plan N coverage does not include prescription drugs. If you want prescription coverage you can purchase Medicare Part D. Medicare Plan N also does not cover dental, vision, or hearing.

If you want coverage for these services, consider a Medicare Advantage plan. You can have either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap Plan; you can’t have both.