What is Medicare Supplement Plan J?

Medicare Supplement insurance, also known by the name of “Medigap” because it fills in many of Medicare’s coverage gaps, is a type of insurance coverage that supplements what is covered by Medicare Parts A and B such as deductibles and copayments. These insurance plans are offered through private insurance companies and they are regulated by federal and state law.

In order to be eligible for Medicare Supplement insurance, a person must have Medicare Part A and B (Original Medicare) coverage. If an individual is enrolled in Medicare Advantage, they do not need Medicare Supplement insurance.

How Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Work?

Medicare Supplement insurance is sold by private insurance companies that have been approved by Medicare. There are currently ten standardized policies that are all represented by letters of the alphabet. Medicare Supplement Plan A has the most basic set of policy benefit offerings – and all of the other plans are built upon this core set of benefits.

All Medigap plans of the same letter must provide the same identical benefits. However, because these policies are offered through private insurance companies, the premiums that are charged for them can – and typically do – differ.

Medicare Supplement plans are considered to be guaranteed renewable. This means that as long as the policy holder is paying his or her premium – regardless of their health condition – the insurer cannot cancel the policy.

Changes Made to Medicare Supplement Policies

Throughout the years, there have been several changes made to the Medicare Supplement policy offerings. On June 1, 2010, Medicare Supplement Plan J was one of four plans that was eliminated via the Medicare Modernization Act.

One reason that this plan was omitted was because Original Medicare upgraded some of its benefits. Therefore, certain Medicare Supplement insurance policies would have provided duplicate coverage. Because of this, it did not make sense to continue offering this particular plan.

Benefits Available Through Medicare Supplement Plan J

Those who purchased a Medicare Supplement Plan J in the past had the following benefits available to them:

• Coinsurance for hospital days 61 through 150
• Cost of 365 more hospital days, once all Medicare hospital policy benefits had been used up
• 20% of doctor bills and 50% of mental health services
• The first three pints of blood
• Medicare Part A hospital deductible
• Skilled nursing home coinsurance
• Medicare Part B deductible
• Medicare Part B excess charges
• Foreign travel emergency benefits
• At home recovery benefits
• Preventive care benefits
• Prescription drug benefits

There was also a high deductible Medicare Supplement Plan J available that offered policy holders a lower premium.

Where to Get More Information on Medigap Plan J

Because Plan J is no longer available for sale, there are no quotes for this particular policy that can be obtained online. However, for additional information on Medigap Plan J – or for quotes on other Medicare Supplement insurance plans – simply fill out the form on the side of this page or contact us directly, toll-free, at 800-376-0824 and we will be happy to assist you.