Most people opt for Original Medicare, which is Part A and Part B. However, the Original Medicare plan tends to leave a gap in your coverage, and therefore, you may have to deal with many out-of-pocket costs. That’s when the best Medicare Supplement plans come in handy. These supplement plans help to fill in the gap between the Original Medicare coverage and the actual cost incurred.

Know your options
A Medicare Supplement plan is also known as Medigap. These plans are sold through private insurance companies. The purpose of the Medicare Supplement plans is to help fill the gap that is left after the Original Medicare benefits are applied. One in four people on Medicare choose a Medigap plan that helps them with their healthcare costs. There are 11 types of Medicare Supplement plans, which include Plan A, B, C, D, E, F, F+, G, K, L, M, and N. The same standardized benefits must be included in all the supplement plans. However, the different types of Medicare Supplement plans offer different levels of coverage, for example, Plan N offers different coverage than Plan F. Medigap policies cannot be canceled for health reasons as long as you pay the premiums, this is because the policies are guaranteed renewable.

Know the inclusions and exclusions
All the Medicare Supplement plans cover the basic benefits like coinsurance charges through Plan A, co-payments and coinsurance through Medicare Plan B, as well as the first three pints of blood needed due to a medical procedure, and hospice care co-payments. Most Medicare Supplement plans do not cover long-term care, vision, private-duty nursing, prescriptions, dental, and vision.

In order to choose the best Medicare Supplement plan, you may consider your requirements and purpose of availing of the plan. Read on to know the different plans suitable to different people.

The one who travels a lot
If you are one of those people who travel a lot, you would want to select a plan that offers foreign travel emergency coverage while you are traveling abroad. The best Medicare Supplement plans for you will be Plan C, D. F, N, G, and M as these plans pay 80% of qualifying emergency care in foreign countries. The foreign travel coverage is applicable when you meet your $250 annual deductible.

The one who needs help with the Part B costs
Plan C or F may be the best Medicare Supplement plan for you if you find it difficult to meet your Part B deductibles. Both the plans will provide help in paying for the Part B deductibles. Additionally, Plan F will help in covering the Part B excess charge. It means that Plan F will help with the payment between the Medicare-approved amount and the maximum a doctor can charge. While all Medicare Supplement plans do offer certain coverage for Part B co-payments and coinsurance, Plan K only covers 50% and Plan L only covers 75%.

The one who wants an out-of-pocket limit
An out-of-limit plan means that you are protected after you have spent a certain amount. The best Medicare Supplement plans for you will be Plan K and L as they provide a 100% coverage. After you have spent $5,120, Plan K covers 100% and after you have spent $2,560, Plan L provides 100% coverage.

The one who wants the maximum coverage
Plan F is the best Medicare Supplement plan if you want maximum coverage. Of all the people who use Medicare, 66% choose Plan F as their Medicare Supplement plan. It provides the most comprehensive coverage of all the Medicare plans. Except for foreign emergency care, people with Plan F are covered with all the supplemental benefits of Medicare.