Pearson Health Advisors

The first option you have to cover the gaps in your Original Medicare is to add on a supplement. Medicare Supplements are added to Original Medicare to help cover the gaps in coverage in Part A and Part B. You can sign up for a supplement 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of, or three months after your 65th birthday.

There are ten supplements with letter names from A to N. Each plan will have a premium usually around $100-200. The most common plans today are Plan G and Plan N. Plan G covers the Part A deductible which is $1657 for 2025. It also covers the copays for hospital days as well as the 20% you would normally be responsible for with Part B. The only thing Plan G does not cover is the $257 deductible for Part B.

Plan N has a lower premium than Plan G but does not cover as many of the gaps as Plan G. With Plan N you are also responsible for the Part B deductible of $257 as well as a $20 copay for doctors visits and a $50 copay for ER visits. If you see a doctor who does not accept Medicare assignment you will also be responsible for the excess charge.

Often this discussion raises a question. Which plan is better? The answer is, that depends on you. If you’d like a plan that has a higher premium but no copays, then Plan G is a good option. If you don’t mind a couple copays and would value a lower premium, then Plan N is a good option.