Medicare supplements with deductibles: plan K and L - Trusted Senior Specialists

This blog has been updated to reflect 2019 changes-

Most Medigap policies do not have deductibles, but a few Medicare supplement plan levels do. These are plans F, K and L. Actually, plan F has a high-deductible option, and that option works similarly to K and L.

Medicare supplement benefits for all plan levels

All of the plans, A through N, provide certain basic coverage:

• Hospital: They pay the Part A coinsurance, and they also provide coverage for an extra 365 days after Medicare stops paying.
• Medical: They cover Part B coinsurance, but not all plan levels cover it at 100%.
• Blood: The first three pints are covered.
• Hospice: They cover Part A coinsurance.

Medicare supplement plans K and L

Even though these two supplements provide basic coverage and the Part A deductible, they do not cover everything at 100 percent. Instead, they protect plan members by providing a yearly out-of-pocket limit for expenses. Since plan members are expected to share the costs up until they meet that maximum for the year, these may be cheaper Medicare supplement options for many seniors.

Plan K

Plan K provides 100% coverage for Part A hospitalization coinsurance and coverage for 365 days after Medicare benefits end:

• 50% Hospice coverage for Part A coinsurance
• 50% of Medicare-eligible expenses for the first three pints of blood
• 50% Part B coinsurance, except for preventive care services, which are covered 100%

In addition to the basic benefits, Plan K also provides coverage for:

• 50% coverage for Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance
• 50% coverage for your Medicare Part A deductibles
• $5,560 out-of-pocket annual limit (the out-of-pocket annual limit will increase each year for inflation)

Plan L

Plan L is very similar to plan K, but it:

• Covers a higher percentage of your costs
• Offers a lower annual out-of-pocket amount and out-of-pocket limit
• Has a slightly higher monthly premium

Besides basic coverage, it also provides the following:

• 75% coverage for Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance
• 75% coverage for your Medicare Part A deductibles
• $2,780 out-of-pocket annual limit (the out-of-pocket annual limit will increase each year for inflation)

Why choose plan K or L?

Typically, these are for relatively health seniors who do not mind cost sharing for small medical expenses with the assurance of knowing that larger bills will be cover. In exchange for cost sharing, the plans may offer cheaper premiums.

We can help you understand Medicare supplements

Comparing all of the A, B, Cs of Medicare plans and parts can get confusing for average consumers. That’s why we provide free Medicare quotes and personal service from experienced health insurance agents. At Trusted Senior Specialists, we are eager to explain the differences and help you find the best plan.

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