Despite a Medicare plan, many people still seek broader coverage with added benefits. Fortunately, most states allow for 10 standardized Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance plans. If you’re scouting for a medicare plan that offers the highest coverage level with a low premium, Medicare Plan G is a supplement plan you can consider. Read on to find out the basic benefits, coverage, and more about Medicare Plan G.

Medicare Plan G covers the comprehensive list of benefits that plan F covers, except, if you opt for Plan G, you are expected to pay the Medicare Part B (Medical) annual deductible out of your pocket, which also varies from year to year. The medical costs will have to be borne by you until the Part B costs aren’t paid up. Once the Part B cost is covered, you’ll only pay 20% of the value of Medicare-approved Part B services (e.g. Doctor visits and prescribed medical equipment). Another benefit is Plan G covers the excess charges that most Medigap plans don’t cover. It also assists the original beneficiaries with some out-of-pocket costs.

The Medicare supplement Plans C and Plan F are the only two standardized plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible. These plans won’t be available for those who apply for it on January 1, 2020, or after. This means those who already have Plan C and F can continue being on the same plan, and those who qualify for Medicare before January 1, 2020, are eligible to apply for Plan C and Plan F.

This leaves you with Plan G, which has the most comprehensive list of benefits. Even after paying Part B deductibles, Plan G works out to be a cost-effect option, as the premium rate is much less than that of Plan F.

Compared with the rest of the other 10 Medigap plans, Medicare Plan F and Plan G cover most benefits.

The basic benefits of Medicare Plan G cover the following.

• Part A hospital coinsurance of the inpatient and hospital costs up to 365 days after the original Medicare benefits are exhausted
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Medicare Part A deductible
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
• Medicare Part B excess charges
• First three pints of blood for a medical procedure used in a year
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance coverage
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% up to plan limits)

Doctor’s network
They don’t have any specific doctor’s network, so there will be absolutely no limitations if you opt for Plan G. The nation-wide network gives the patient the complete liberty to visit the doctor of his/her choice.

Claim process
The process is entirely automated, which limits the paperwork and makes the process fairly simple. The Medicare company pays the hospital/medical provider directly, minimizing your effort in the process.

Excess charges explained
Medicare Plan G and Plan F cover the excess charges, unlike the other Medigap plans. Extra charges are additional fees over and above what the original medicare plan usually doesn’t cover, and patients end up paying it out of their pocket. Your doctor or general physician can charge an extra 15% fee above their fixed service rate, which generally isn’t covered by Medicare plans. Still, with Plan G, the additional 15% fee is also covered.

Premium rate
Medicare Plan G premium depends on factors like age, health, location, and gender. You can reach out to any insurance company, as the benefits of the Medicare Plan G remain the same regardless of the state you belong to or the insurance agency you choose to get the plan from.