Your costs can include the following:

Monthly Premium

This is the fee you pay to the plan in exchange for coverage. Each Medicare Supplement insurance plan has a different monthly premium.

Deductible

This is the amount you pay out-of-pocket for covered services before Medicare and/or your Medicare Supplement plan begins to pay. It’s a pre-set, fixed cost. Most Medicare Supplement plans provide coverage for your Medicare Part A hospital deductible. In most cases, you’re responsible for your Medicare Part B deductible.

Copay/Coinsurance

These are kinds of cost sharing. A copay is a set, flat amount paid each time, such as a $20 copay for each in-office doctor visit. Coinsurance requires you to pay a percentage of the Medicare-approved amount each time.

Out-of-Pocket Limit/Maximum

This is a maximum amount of out-of-pocket costs you pay per calendar year. Since Medicare Parts A & B don’t have an out-of-pocket maximum, your out-of-pocket medical expenses could add up to hundreds or thousands per year. Medicare Supplement plans are designed to help cover some of these costs.

You can apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance plan any time during the year.⁷ The best time to enroll is during your Open Enrollment period. The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment period is the six-month period that starts the first day of the month in which you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. Some states may have additional open enrollment periods, including those for people under 65, and there may be other situations in which your acceptance may be guaranteed.