DID YOU KNOW THIS ABOUT MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS

Michael T. Braden January 4, 2026 Medicare Supplement Plans

Braden Medicare Insurance Poster Showing An Image Of 3 Colorful Thought Boxes, with the caption "Did You Know This About Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medicare is excellent healthcare coverage. Medicare is the National Health Insurance Program for all Americans 65 and older and for those who have been determined to have a full-time disability.

For many Medicare beneficiaries, this realization comes as a shock when the first medical bill arrives. This is where Medicare Supplement insurance comes in. Medicare Supplemental policies, also referred to as Medigap Plans, are designed to fill gaps left by Original Medicare (Medicare Part A & Medicare Part B). Medigap steps in to fill the financial voids left by Original Medicare.

While you may know these plans help cover copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles, several lesser-known features make this coverage even more valuable. Understanding these nuances can help you make a more informed decision about your healthcare future. Here are five surprising facts about Medigap that might change how you view your coverage options.

MEDIGAP PLANS ARE STANDARDIZED, SO THE COVERAGE IS THE SAME IN ALL 50 STATES, BUT THE PRICES VARY FROM STATE TO STATE

One of the most comforting aspects of Medigap is that the federal government standardizes the plans. This means that a Plan G from one insurance carrier must offer the same benefits as a Plan G from another. If you purchase a Plan G, you are entitled to the same coverage for skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part A deductibles, and Part B excess charges, regardless of which company logo is on your card.

However, the premiums for these identical plans can differ widely. Insurance companies set their own rates based on various factors, including their pricing method (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated), administrative costs, and the level of risk they manage. It is not uncommon to find two different companies charging vastly different monthly premiums for the same set of benefits. This reality underscores the importance of comparing rates from multiple carriers to ensure you are not overpaying for your coverage.

IF YOU MEET THE THRESHOLD, YOU CAN STILL ENROLL IN "GRANDFATHERED MEDICARE PLANS" IF YOU QUALIFY

If you have been researching Medicare for a while, you may have heard of Plan F or Plan C. These plans were once highly popular because they covered the Medicare Part B deductible, meaning the policyholder had virtually no out-of-pocket costs for doctor visits.

However, a federal law passed in 2015 changed the landscape. As of January 1, 2020, Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible are no longer available for sale to newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries. The government made this change to ensure beneficiaries have some “skin in the game,” theoretically reducing unnecessary doctor visits.

The surprising part is that these plans did not disappear entirely. If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you still have the right to purchase Plan F or Plan C if you live in a state where they are sold. Furthermore, if you already had one of these plans before the cutoff date, you can keep it. This “grandfathering” rule allows long-term beneficiaries to retain coverage levels that are not available to those turning 65 today.

MEDIGAP COVERAGE LASTS 365 DAYS LONGER THAN ORIGINAL MEDICARE

Hospital stays can be incredibly expensive, and Original Medicare has limits on how many days it will cover. Under Part A, you are covered for the first 90 days of an inpatient hospital stay per benefit period. Once those 90 days are up, you have access to 60 “lifetime reserve days.” Once you use these reserve days, they are gone forever, and you are responsible for all costs.

This is where Medigap provides a critical safety net. All standard Medigap plans offer an additional 365 lifetime reserve days of hospital coverage. This benefit kicks in after you have exhausted your Original Medicare hospital benefits. In the event of a catastrophic illness requiring a prolonged hospital stay, this feature alone could save you tens of thousands of dollars, providing peace of mind that your coverage will not run out when you need it most.

YOU HAVE COVERAGE FOR EMERGENCIES OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES

A common misconception is that Medicare coverage travels with you wherever you go. While your coverage is nationwide, Original Medicare generally does not cover health care services received outside the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

For those who enjoy traveling abroad, specific Medigap plans offer a vital solution. Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide coverage for emergency care abroad. These plans typically cover 80 percent of the billed charges for medically necessary emergency care received outside the U.S., after you meet a $250 annual deductible. This benefit applies during the first 60 days of your trip and has a lifetime limit of $50,000. Having this protection means you can enjoy your international adventures without the constant worry of what might happen if a medical emergency strikes far from home.

NO ONE CAN EVER CANCEL YOUR MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT POLICY................. YOUR MEDIGAP PLAN IS GUARANTEED FOR LIFE!

Insurance contracts can sometimes feel precarious, with the fear that a company might cancel your policy if your health declines or you file too many claims. With Medicare Supplement insurance, this is not a concern.

Medigap policies are “guaranteed renewable.” This means that as long as you pay your premiums on time and were truthful on your application, the insurance company cannot cancel your policy. They cannot drop you because you developed a health condition, and they cannot cancel your coverage because you have used a high volume of medical services. This guarantee provides the security and stability essential to retirement planning. You can rest assured that your health insurance will remain in place for as long as you wish to keep it.

WRAPPING THINGS UP

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO NAVIGATE MEDICARE ON YOUR OWN

Michael Braeden Is The Owner and Founder Of Braden Medicare Insurance. This Image Is A Copy Of Michael's Business Card.

Navigating the complexities of Medicare can be daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. The right Medigap plan can protect your financial well-being and ensure you have access to the care you need, when you need it. If you are ready to see how much you could save or want to explore which standardized plan is best for your specific situation, we can help, and it doesn't cost you a penny.

With over 10 years of helping Medicare Beneficiaries, we would be honored to help you as well. You can reach me via email at mike@bradenmedicare.com, or you can use the Contact page on our website @ www.bradenmedicare.com, or give us a call us at (480) 225-1393.

We are a licensed, independent Medicare Broker and a Certified Medicare Insurance Planner. We are based in Arizona and are licensed in California, Colorado, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin.