What Is A Medicare Supplement Plan L
The goal of Medicare Supplement Plan L and every Medicare supplemental insurance plan is to extend the benefits of Original Medicare in order to reduce unexpected out-of-pocket expenses, such as copays, deductibles, and coinsurance. The Plan L has lower costs by you taking some out-of-pocket costs. For personal consultation call us 844-528-8688 or compare rates on this page. Continue reading for details on the Medicare Supplement Plan L.
While most Medigap plans pay 100% of the charges for covered services, Medicare Supplement Plan L is a little bit different in that it only covers 75%, leaving the remaining quarter of the expenses to be paid by you.
This difference is seen only in Plans L and K, which also both feature a maximum dollar amount that you can pay in a given year.
Read our Medigap L guide to learn a little bit more about this rather unique option among Medicare supplement plans.
Medicare Supplement Plan L Benefits
Plan L pays for 100% of the Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 additional days beyond typical Medicare benefits). The other covered services, however, leave you with one-fourth of the bill.
Medicare Supplement Plan L covers 75% of the following:
- Medicare Part B Coinsurance and Copayment
- First 3 Pints of Blood
- Coinsurance for Hospice Care Under Medicare Part A
- Part A Deductible
- Skilled Nursing Facility Care Coinsurance
Plan L Out-of-Pocket Limit
Plans L and K offer a maximum out-of-pocket expense limit in order to protect you from excessively high medical costs. In essence, these limits make up for the cost sharing by preventing you from being bankrupt by an emergency.
In any given year, once you have reached the spending limit, you will not be billed for any other covered services. You’ll still have to pay your monthly premiums, though.
For Plan L, the out-of-pocket limit for 2023 is $3,470.
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Who Is Medicare Supplement Plan L Best For?
Unlike most other Medigap plans, L does not leave you completely free from out-of-pocket expenses for covered services. This means that when you have a sick appointment, you’ll need to pay coinsurance or a copay.
If you need blood, you’ll have to share the cost. With that in mind, Medicare Supplement Plan L is not ideal for anyone who is uncomfortable paying expenses as they come up. If you want your healthcare budget to remain very predictable, you are better off with a plan that offers 100% coverage of the services you’ll use.
That being said, Plan L does come with lower premiums than most other plans, and the out-of-pocket maximum ensures that you’ll never be financially burdened by sudden emergencies. So Plan L could be a great choice for you if you are just looking to use Medigap as a safety net and don’t think you’ll be making too much use of the services that are only partially covered.
Medigap Plan L Versus Medigap Plan K
At first glance at a comparison table, it’s hard to imagine why anyone would choose Plan K over Plan L. They cover the exact same services, except K only pays 50% compared to Plan L’s 75%. Furthermore, the maximum expense limit on Medigap K is twice that of L.
So why on earth would anyone choose Plan K? Well, most comparison charts don’t include the monthly premium because this varies so much from one insurance provider to the next, and can even change based on the condition of the recipient. But, on average, Plan L costs about $90 more per month than Plan K. So for Medicare recipients who are looking to trade monthly premiums for higher service charges, Plan L doesn’t typically work out as a good choice
Wondering if the Medicare Supplement Plan L Is Right For You?
Plan L isn’t historically one of the most popular plans, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t the right plan for you. When it comes to choosing the appropriate Medigap policy, there is no one-size-fits-all plan.The right plan is the one that meets your needs and fits in your budget, and we can help you figure out exactly the best Medicare supplement for you. Reach out through our simple contact form or give us a call today at 844-528-8688. We’re ready to help.
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Medigap Plan L Frequently Asked Questions
Medigap Plan L is a standardized Medicare Supplement insurance plan that helps cover certain out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Medicare Plan L covers a variety of costs, including 75% of the Medicare Part B deductible, certain hospital and outpatient costs, and an additional 365 days of hospital coverage after Medicare benefits are exhausted.
Medigap Plan L and Plan K are similar in structure but differ mainly in their out-of-pocket costs and coverage percentages. Both plans cover the same types of services but offer different levels of cost-sharing. Plan K covers 50% of most services, such as Medicare Part B coinsurance, blood (first 3 pints), and skilled nursing facility care, while Plan L covers 75% of these same services. Additionally, both plans have out-of-pocket limits, which is a unique feature compared to most Medigap plans. In 2024, the out-of-pocket limit for Plan K is higher than that of Plan L, making Plan L potentially more appealing for those looking for lower maximum expenses, despite a slightly higher premium than Plan K
To enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan L, you must first be eligible for Medicare. You can apply during the Medigap open enrollment period, which begins when you turn 65 or when you first enroll in Medicare Part B.
No, Medigap Plan L does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. Like most Medigap plans, Plan L provides coverage for some Medicare Part B out-of-pocket costs, such as coinsurance, but the Part B deductible is not included. As of 2024, only Medigap Plans C and F cover the Part B deductible, but these plans are no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible after January 1, 2020. Plan L focuses more on partial cost-sharing for services like Part B coinsurance and offers an out-of-pocket limit for added financial protection.
Individuals who are eligible for Medicare due to age (65 or older) or certain disabilities are eligible for Medicare Supplement insurance, including Plan L.
Yes, you can switch from another Medigap plan to Plan L. However, it’s important to check if you qualify for guaranteed issue rights to avoid medical underwriting.
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