Medigap Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement Insurance plan available today. It includes only the four core benefits that federal law requires in every Medigap policy. However, it does not cover several important costs that more comprehensive plans handle. As one of 10 standardized plan letters, Plan A sits at the foundation of the entire Medigap lineup.
Any private insurer selling Medigap policies in your state must offer Medigap Plan A by law. For some Medicare beneficiaries, this simplicity is appealing. For many others, the coverage gaps make this plan less practical than Plan G or Plan N. Understanding exactly what Medigap Plan A covers helps you make a confident decision about your supplement coverage.
What Does Medigap Plan A Cover?
Medigap Plan A covers the four basic benefits included in every Medigap policy. These are the minimum coverage areas required by federal standardization rules. No Medigap plan can offer less than these four benefits.
The first benefit is Part A coinsurance and hospital costs. This coverage extends up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits run out. In most cases, this protection is critical for extended hospital stays. It prevents catastrophic bills when Original Medicare stops paying.
The second benefit is Part B coinsurance or copayments. Medicare typically covers 80% of approved outpatient costs. Medigap Plan A picks up the remaining 20%. This applies to doctor visits, lab tests, and durable medical equipment.
Plan A also covers the first three pints of blood each year. Additionally, it pays Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments. These four benefits form the complete coverage package for this plan.
However, Medigap Plan A does not cover several areas that other plans include. It does not pay the Part A deductible for hospital stays. It excludes skilled nursing facility coinsurance. It does not cover Part B excess charges or foreign travel emergencies. These gaps are significant for many beneficiaries.
Medigap Plan A Benefits Table
The following table shows what Medigap Plan A covers compared to Plan G and Plan N. These three plans represent different levels of Medicare supplement protection.
| Coverage Area | Plan A | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (365 days) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | Yes | Yes* |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | No | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | No | Yes | No |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%) | No | Yes | Yes |
*Plan N may require copays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.
How Much Does Medigap Plan A Cost?
Medigap Plan A typically carries the lowest premiums of any Medigap plan. This reflects its limited coverage compared to more comprehensive options. However, lower premiums do not always mean lower total healthcare costs.
Insurance companies use three pricing methods for Medigap policies. Community-rated plans charge the same premium regardless of your age. Issue-age-rated plans base your premium on your age at purchase. Attained-age-rated plans increase your premium as you get older. As a result, the same plan letter can cost very different amounts depending on your insurer and pricing method.
Plan G and Plan N have higher premiums than Plan A. However, they cover more out-of-pocket costs. For example, Plan G pays the Part A deductible and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Typically, beneficiaries who use healthcare services regularly find that a higher-premium plan saves money overall. The premium savings from Plan A can disappear quickly with a single hospital stay.
Who Should Choose Medigap Plan A?
Medigap Plan A works best for a narrow group of Medicare beneficiaries. It may suit people who want basic coinsurance protection but can pay other costs out of pocket. Typically, this includes healthier individuals with low expected healthcare usage.
However, most Medicare advisors recommend Plan G or Plan N instead. Plan G offers nearly complete coverage of Medicare cost-sharing gaps. Plan N provides strong coverage at a lower premium than Plan G. For example, beneficiaries who anticipate hospital stays or skilled nursing care should consider these alternatives seriously.
In most cases, the premium difference between Plan A and Plan G is modest relative to the additional coverage. As a result, Medigap Plan A has relatively low enrollment compared to Plan G and Plan N nationwide. Most beneficiaries find better value in a more comprehensive option.
Medigap Plan A vs Plan G vs Plan N
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in 2026. It covers everything except the annual Part B deductible. This means your only regular out-of-pocket Medicare cost is that deductible. Plan G also covers Part B excess charges and foreign travel emergencies.
Plan N is the second most popular choice among Medicare beneficiaries. It covers most of what Plan G covers but excludes Part B excess charges. Plan N also requires small copays for certain office and emergency room visits. In exchange, Plan N premiums are typically lower than Plan G premiums.
Medigap Plan A covers significantly less than either Plan G or Plan N. It lacks coverage for the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility care, and foreign travel emergencies. For beneficiaries who want strong financial protection against unexpected medical costs, Plan G or Plan N is usually the better choice.
| Feature | Plan A | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium level | Lowest | Highest | Moderate |
| Out-of-pocket risk | Highest | Lowest | Low |
| Part A deductible covered | No | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing covered | No | Yes | Yes |
| Excess charges covered | No | Yes | No |
| Foreign travel covered | No | Yes | Yes |
| Office visit copays | None | None | Up to $20 |
| Best for | Minimal coverage needs | Maximum protection | Balance of cost and coverage |
How to Buy Medigap Plan A
The best time to buy Medigap Plan A is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window begins when you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health.
After your Open Enrollment Period ends, buying any Medigap plan becomes more difficult. Insurers can use medical underwriting to decide whether to sell you a policy. They may also charge more based on pre-existing conditions. However, certain guaranteed issue rights protect you in specific situations. For example, you have guaranteed issue rights if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your service area.
Medigap Plan A is available in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own standardized Medigap systems instead of the letter-based plans. In all other states, any insurer that sells Medigap policies must offer Plan A. Compare quotes from multiple carriers because premiums vary significantly for the same standardized benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medigap Plan A
Is Medigap Plan A the same with every insurance company?
Yes. Federal law requires all Plan A policies to cover the same four basic benefits. The only differences between insurers are the premium amount, customer service, and financial stability. The coverage itself is identical regardless of which company sells the policy.
Can I switch from Plan A to Plan G later?
You can apply for a different Medigap plan at any time. However, outside your initial Open Enrollment Period, the insurer may use medical underwriting. This means they can deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history.
Does Plan A cover prescription drugs?
No. No Medigap policy sold after 2005 includes prescription drug coverage. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for medication costs. You can enroll in Part D alongside any Medigap policy.
Is Plan A available in every state?
Plan A is available in 47 states and the District of Columbia. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use different standardized Medigap systems. In those three states, the standard letter-based plans are not offered.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified Medicare information and enrollment help:
- Medicare.gov: medicare.gov
- CMS.gov: cms.gov
- NAIC Medigap Guide: naic.org
- KFF Medicare Research: kff.org/medicare
- Find Your SHIP: medicare.gov/contacts
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.