What to know about Medigap Plan A
Medigap Plan A is one of 10 Medigap plans available to those with Original Medicare. While it offers fewer benefits than other plans, it helps cover some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare Parts A and B.
If a person has Original Medicare, they can also choose to have a Medigap plan. These supplemental insurance plans can help with some of Original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs.
Medigap plan benefits are standardized across most of the United States. (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize the plans differently.)
There are currently 10 Medigap plans, each represented by a letter. Plan A has the fewest coverage options of all current plans.
Private, Medicare-approved insurers sell Medigap plans, which are only available to those with Original Medicare. People with a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan are not eligible for a Medigap plan.
Current Medigap plans include Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Some plans offer more comprehensive benefits than others, but the benefits in each lettered plan are the same, regardless of which insurer offers it. The only difference will be the cost, and despite Plan A having the fewest benefits, this does not make it the cheapest. It’s important to shop around.
After a person has paid their 2025 deductible of $1,676, if they are required to stay in a hospital for more than 60 days, they would typically also have to pay the following 2025 amounts:
These amounts may increase in 2026, although the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has yet to confirm the exact amount of the increase.
Medicare will pay “lifetime reserve days” when a person is required to spend 90 days or more in a hospital. They have a total of 60 lifetime reserve days that they can use over their lifetime. For each lifetime reserve day, Medicare covers all eligible expenses, minus the daily coinsurance.
After an individual has used their Medicare benefits, Medigap Plan A would cover their eligible out-of-pocket costs and up to an additional 365 days of eligible hospital costs.
In 2025, you will pay a Part B deductible of $257 and then a 20% coinsurance for all eligible outpatient medical expenses.
Medigap Plan A could cover the 20% coinsurance.
If a person needs a blood transfusion while they are in the hospital, Medigap Plan A will cover the first 3 pints.
While there are typically few out-of-pocket costs associated with hospice care, Medigap will cover the remaining ones.
Medigap Plan A will cover the 5% coinsurance for inpatient respite care and the $5 copayment per prescription medication, as well as for other pain management products and symptom control while an individual is at home.
Medigap Plan A offers the fewest benefits of all 10 Medigap plans, but it does include coverage for out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare Part A and Part B.
While Medigap benefits are standardized across the United States, some private insurers offering Medigap plans may offer additional benefits or services simply for having a plan with them.
It’s important to review all options carefully and compare the plans available in your area.