Medicare Supplement Plan N is one of the more popular plans among beneficiaries in 2021. It’s the plan for those who prefer lower monthly premiums without forfeiting benefits. Yet, when you enroll in this plan, you’re responsible for deductibles and a few copays.
Medicare Supplement Plan N in 2021
Since the introduction of Medigap Plan N, enrollment increases each year. This popularity is not surprising, because the policy offers a decent amount of coverage at a reasonable price.
Plan N offers extra coverage to supplement your Medicare benefits without breaking the bank. The small copays this plan involves keeping the monthly premium lower.
You may have heard this plan referred to as Part N. Part N, Medigap Plan N, and Medicare Plan N are all the same thing, but the correct term is Plan N. Remember that Parts refer to Original Medicare, and Plans refer to Medigap.
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover
Plan N covers your inpatient deductible, which falls under Part A. It also covers your inpatient copays and coinsurance, minus a small copay of $50. This is what helps keep your monthly premium low.
When you have Plan N, the only costs you’ll have when visiting your doctor are the $20 copay and the Part B deductible. This $20 copay also helps keep your monthly premium low.
If you live in a state that allows excess charges, you may have to pay those as well. But, most doctors accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges are rare.
Plan N also includes foreign travel emergency benefits. If you travel outside the United States, Plan N will cover emergency services up to plan limits.
Medicare Plan N Outline of Coverage Chart
How Much Does Medigap Plan N Cost in 2021
The average cost of Plan N is around $120-$180 per month. However, in some states, it can be as much as $200 and in others, it can be as low as $80. Your premium rates depend on your personal information as well as the plan letter you choose. Factors such as your state of residence, gender, age, and tobacco use affect your premium rates.
How Much is the Copays for Medicare Plan N?
In exchange for lower monthly premiums, you’re responsible for a small copay of $50 when visiting the emergency room (if not resulting in inpatient admission) and a $20 copay at the doctor’s office. Yet, if you visit an Urgent Care center, there is NO copay.
Thus, if you can’t get an appointment with your primary care physician, instead of going to the emergency room over something minor, you can go to urgent care and avoid copays. Remember that these copays will NOT count towards the Part B deductible.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Rate Increase History
Among the factors that affect your monthly premium rates is the pricing method that your carrier uses. In the last five years, premium rates for Plan N have increased between 2% and 4%. These increases are lower when compared to Plan F and comparable when compared to Plan G.
As Plan N benefits are the same from carrier to carrier, it’s important to discuss with your agent rate history increase for the company you are considering enrolling with. Additionally, research carrier reviews for Plan N.
What’s the Difference Between Plan N vs. Plan F?
Plan F is a Medigap plan offering comprehensive coverage. It covers 100% of your out-of-pocket costs. Outside of the monthly premium, you never need to pay out-of-pocket. Plan N is two steps down from Plan F in terms of coverage. Yet, the premiums for Plan F are higher because the more benefits a plan offers, the higher the premiums will be.
Also, Medigap Plan F is not available to all beneficiaries, whereas Plan N is. Plan F is discontinued for newer beneficiaries when first-dollar coverage was eliminated, so they’re not able to enroll. But, if you were eligible for Medicare before the plan was discontinued, you can still enroll in Plan F.
When Do I Enroll in Plan N?
You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan at any time of the year. Yet, it is best to use your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or another time when you have guaranteed issue rights. Otherwise, you’ll need to answer underwriting questions and the carrier could deny your application because of health status.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Reviews
The feedback we hear from clients about Plan N is positive. As long as they’re prepared to pay small copays, they always seem happy with Plan N.
When researching reviews for a specific letter plan, make sure to focus on reviews about the plan benefits, not the carrier. A lot of times, the negative reviews have to do with complaints about the carrier, not the plan.
FAQs
How to Compare Rates for Medicare Supplement Plan N
Medicare is complex and you shouldn't have to tackle it alone. Your health care is important to us so we never sell a policy to a client that we wouldn't sell to our own family members or enroll in ourselves.
Our job is to keep you informed and up-to-date with the latest Medicare changes. You can depend on your agent and our client care team to help you manage claims and to make sure you have the best rate at all times.
To get a rate comparison for Plan N or any other Medigap plan, give us a call at the number above. Need a stand-alone policy for dental, vision, or hearing? We can help with that too, as well as prescription drug plans. Our services are completely free to you. If you prefer to get an online quote started now, please complete our online rates form.
my father recently passed away and my mother will lose his blue cross blue shield insurance. She has mental health issues. We and need to make sure her current doctors and therapists and medications are covered under a supplemental plan. Which plan supplemental plan would be best for her?
Hi Kelly. I’m so sorry to hear about the recent passing of your father. Your mother will have a Special Enrollment Period to enroll in a Medigap plan without having to go through medical underwriting. You will need to enroll her in not only a Medigap plan but a Part D plan to cover her prescriptions. Your best option is probably going to be either Plan G or Plan N.
Does Plan N Cover Urgent Care under a Doctor visit or an ER Visit?
Hi Paul! Urgent care would fall under Part B, doctors visit.
Hi Lindsay, can Plan N Co-Pays for Doctor and Hospital visits change and go up in the future in Florida? Or are they permanently stabilized? Thank You for responding, Mike.
Hi Mike! The copays under Plan N are standardized across all 50 states, it won’t change based on your location.
Say I visit a doctor who charges $40. Under Original Medicare, Medicare pays $32 and I’m responsible for paying the remaining $8 directly to the doctor. Plan N has a $20 copay for office visits. If I visit this doctor covered by original medicare and a Plan N supplement, what do I owe the doctor $8 or $20? It seems silly to think that I’d pay more for this service with plan N than with just original medicare, but that’s exactly what a representative at a supplement company told me. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Hi Simeon! The copay under Plan N for doctor’s visits is up to $20. In your example, you would pay $8.
HI i am turning 65 and i have had medicare parts A AND B due to disability and i am going on Plan N thru colonial penn as my supplement ,,I am on an insulin pump i believe it will be covered and the insulin under medicare part B and my supplement it that correct and should my doctor know how to order this from my pharmacy so its billed correctly or do i have to go thru mail order?
Hi Cathy! Yes, that’s correct. No, you do not need to tell your doctor how to bill Medicare, they will know. You can find the breakdown of how Medicare is billed for diabetic supplies here.
I recently had surgery on Monday lower eye lid and the bill was @8500.00,Medicare paid about $3300.00 and my N plan paid about $1500.00.How much will I have to pay?
Hi Ron! You will not have to pay anything out of pocket. Medicare paid the surgeon the approved amount they agreed on, which was more than likely less than $8,500. The 20% coinsurance on the Medicare-approved amount was covered by your Medigap plan. The bill you received is called balance billing, which you are not responsible to pay.
Hi Lindsay,
My mom recently was in a car accident and is no longer able to drive. I am unable to take her to doctor appointments the majority of the time because I travel weekly for my job. Does Supplemental Plan N cover transportation to necessary medical appointments?
Thank you,
Susan
Hi Susan! Medigap plans will only cover services that Original Medicare covers. Since Original Medicare does not cover transportation, unfortunately, Plan N won’t cover it either.
Hello. I will be losing coverage with my employer on 6/30/2021. I want to enroll in Plan N. I was told I might not be eligible for guaranteed issue. why is this?
Hi Theresa! I have a few questions for you before I can answer your question. When did you become eligible for Medicare? What parts of Medicare do you currently have? How many employees does your previous employer have?
Hi Lindsay,
I have had Aetna insurance with my employer. I recently went part time and lost my insurance through my employer. I now have Aetna Medicare Plan N. Will the doctors/labs that I had under my regular Aetna be covered under my Aetna Medicare Plan N. I am unsure where to find this information out. I was hoping to keep my same doctors.
Thank you in advance.
Hi Jami! Plan N is great, all your doctors & labs will still be covered. You should be able to keep your same doctors as long as they accept Medicare. Which 96% of doctors in the US accept Medicare.
I just got plan n , I had plan f and liked it, now I might have to have some major test in the next two months so if test run over $5,ooo what would I have to pay on plan n.
Hi Carmen! The main difference between Plan F & Plan N is with Plan N, you’re responsible for the Part B deductible. You’ll also have a small copay for each doctor visit, which is $20. If your tests run over $5,000, you still would only be responsible for the Part B deductible and copays for each doctor visit, nothing more than that! I hope this helps.
Could you tell me if Teresa Jones at Women’s & Children’s Center in Findlay, Ohio is covered by AARP Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Hi Cheryl! Yes, Teresa Jones does accept Medicare. So she will also accept your Plan N.