Medigap Plan A
Review the basic standardized benefits included in Plan A.
Plan A benefit schedule
Plan A includes the Part A hospital coinsurance and up to 365 additional hospital days, Part B coinsurance, first three pints of blood, and Part A hospice coinsurance. The same standardized letter has the same basic benefits among companies in most states. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize differently; confirm the policy offered in your state.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare & You 2027, Medigap section (2026 chart) ↗
Costs this letter leaves open
Plan A does not include the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B deductible, Part B excess charges, and foreign-travel emergencies. A Medigap policy pays only for its listed share of Medicare-covered services; the presence of a policy does not make an otherwise excluded service eligible. Review the chart row by row before quoting a monthly premium.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare: Medigap coverage ↗
The decision point for Plan A
Plan A provides only the common core. Price the 2026 Part A hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period and any skilled nursing facility coinsurance separately. A low policy premium can coexist with meaningful cost sharing if those services are used.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare: 2026 costs ↗
Timing and eligibility
When you first qualify to buy Plan A, check whether your six-month federal Medigap window is open: it starts when you are at least 65 and enrolled in Part B. In that window, health status generally cannot prevent purchase or increase the price. Later, state rights or medical underwriting can matter. Plan A does not have a new buying window every fall.
Official source: Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗
Quote and enrollment checks
Request the premium for Plan A in your ZIP code from each available insurer, with its rating method, household discounts, projected age increases and effective date. Part B premium remains payable; newly sold Medigap coverage does not supply Part D drugs, so price a separate drug plan when needed. Verify providers accept Medicare rather than treating a Medigap company as an Advantage network.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap costs ↗ · Medicare: How Medigap works ↗ · Medicare: Compare plans ↗