Medicare Plan N Coverage: What Is and Isn’t Covere
Medigap Plan N covers all your Medicare Part B insurance costs except for office and emergency room visit copays.
Medicare Supplement Plan N is a Medigap plan developed for people willing to pay for some copays and a small annual deductible for lower premium costs, which is the amount you pay annually for the plan.
Medigap Supplement Plan N covers:
the 20% that Medicare Part B doesn’t
hospital deductible
hospital copays and coinsurance
80% of foreign travel emergency benefits
Keep reading to learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan N, including what it covers and doesn’t cover and how to purchase one.
What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover?
Medicare Supplement Plan N coverage includes:
It does not cover:
*With Medicare Supplement Plan N, 100% 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.
What isn’t covered under Medicare Supplement Plan N?
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, you cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans.
How does Medigap coverage work?
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 Medigap Plans (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) with different coverage and premiums. This 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:
Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount.
Your Medigap policy pays its portion.
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.
Getting a Medigap policy
Once you have original Medicare, you can purchase a Medigap policy from an insurance company. Many people consult with a trusted family member, a friend with a current Medigap policy, or an insurance agent to pick a specific plan and company.
Others may contact their state’s State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) for guidance. Your SHIP should be able to provide free help in choosing a policy and 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.
Takeaway
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 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 or Medigap Plan, but not both.
The information on this website may assist you in making personal decisions about insurance, but it is not intended to provide advice regarding the purchase or use of any insurance or insurance products. Healthline Media does not transact the business of insurance in any manner and is not licensed as an insurance company or producer in any U.S. jurisdiction. Healthline Media does not recommend or endorse any third parties that may transact the business of insurance.