Plan C
Medicare Supplement Coverage

Medicare Supplement Plan C is being phased out. This means that if you become eligible for Medicare on or after January 1st of 2020, this policy has become discontinued and not available for purchase. However, if you already have Medicare Supplement Plan C coverage there’s no reason for worry as you can typically keep your coverage. This change was introduced because the Medicare Supplement Plan C deductible for Medicare Part B is no longer being accepted.

Medigap Plan C is considered to be a relatively comprehensive policy when compared to the other nine standardized coverage options. Read more about the other standardized Medigap coverage options.

*Although their names are quite similar, you should note that Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan C is not synonymous with Medicare Part C.

Before getting into Medicare Supplement Plan C benefits, here are the general eligibility requirements for Plan C:

• You are at least 65 years of age and have been a US Citizen or permanent legal resident for at least five consecutive years
• You are currently receiving retirement benefits
• OR
• You are disabled and therefore receiving disability benefits
• You have End-Stage Renal Disease
• You have Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS

Medigap Plan C coverage options are comprehensive compared to other Medigap plans, Medicare Supplement Plan C covers:

• Hospital coinsurance and hospital costs for Medicare Part A up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are used up
• Hospice care coinsurance or copayments for Medicare Part A
• Copayments and coinsurance for Medicare Part B
• The first three pints of blood
• Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
• Deductible for Medicare Part A
• Deductible for Medicare Part B
• Coverage for foreign travel emergency – 80% of approved costs up to the coverage limit

What is not covered?

Medicare Part B excess charges are not covered. This extra cost comes into play if a provider wants to be paid more for their services. In such a case, the provider can bill you for excess charges, up to an additional 15% of the original cost.

All Medicare supplement plan riders are sold by private insurance carriers, so Medicare Supplement Plan C rates will be different from one carrier to another. However, because all Medigap policies are standardized, the policy is required to have identical basic benefits no matter which carrier you choose to buy from.

Medicare Supplement Plan C copay for Medicare Part B will continue to be covered for active policyholders on or before January 1, 2020. New enrollees after this date will not be permitted to purchase this policy.

Medigap Plan C vs Plan F
Medigap Plan C and F are quite similar. The only difference is that Plan C does not cover Part B excess charge. Both plans are no longer available for new enrollees as of January 1st, 2021.

Medigap Plan C vs G
Plan G and Plan C are similar with the exception of Part B deductible, which is covered by Plan C.

Our website MyMedicareGap.com can help you find the right Medigap plan for you by providing information about Medicare Supplement Plan C, plus reviews and comparison with other plans based on consumer reports Medicare supplement ratings.