Medigap Plan A

Medigap Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement plan, covering core hospital and coinsurance costs. It’s standardized — every carrier that offers Plan A must provide the same baseline benefits.

What Plan A Covers

Benefit	Covered
Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted	✓
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment	✓
First 3 pints of blood	✓
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment	✓
Skilled nursing facility (SNF) care coinsurance	✗
Medicare Part A deductible	✗
Medicare Part B deductible	✗
Medicare Part B excess charges	✗
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)	✗

How to Compare Plans

Because Medigap benefits are standardized by the federal government, Plan A covers the exact same benefits at every insurance company that sells it. The only difference between carriers is the premium — which can vary by 30–50% for the same plan and the same applicant. Working with an independent broker lets you see the full market and pick the lowest price for identical coverage.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan A Right for You?

Plan A is best suited for Medicare beneficiaries who want a low-premium option and are comfortable paying Medicare’s standard deductibles and cost-sharing out of pocket. It works well for people in excellent health who rarely use medical services but want a safety net for extended hospital stays. Plan A covers the Part A coinsurance that can run into tens of thousands of dollars for long hospitalizations — the most catastrophic exposure Medicare leaves unaddressed.

However, for most new enrollees turning 65, Plan G or Plan N offer far more comprehensive protection at a modest premium increase. Because Medigap benefits are federally standardized, every Plan A sold by any carrier covers identical benefits — the only variable is the monthly premium. An independent broker can compare Plan A rates across all carriers in your area at no cost to you.