Hospitalization: Medicare Part A pays for hospitalizations for the first 60 days, but only pays a portion of the daily costs from the 61st day through the 150th day. You must pay the coinsurance amounts for those days. This Medicare Supplement benefit pays the coinsurance amount and an additional 365 lifetime days.

Blood: Medicare pays for all blood that is medically necessary except for the first three pints in each calendar year. This Medicare Supplement benefit pays for the first three pints of blood not paid for by Medicare.

Medical Expenses: Generally Medicare Part B pays for 80% of a predetermined amount (called the "Medicare approved" amount) for each procedure, supply, or service billed by your doctor or other provider that is not a hospital. This Medicare Supplement benefit pays the coinsurance generally (20% of the "Medicare approved" amount) under Medicare Part B.

The Part A Deductible: The Medicare Part A deductible is the expense for which you are obligated to pay when you are admitted to a hospital as an inpatient. Medicare pays eligible benefits above that amount. (The Medicare Part A deductible amount may change yearly, so check the current handbook¹). This Medicare Supplement benefit reimburses you the deductible amount, no matter what the amount may be. This benefit is included in Plans B through J.

Skilled Nursing Coinsurance: Medicare Part A pays for the first 20 days of care in a skilled nursing facility following hospitalization, but requires you to pay a coinsurance beginning on the 21st day through the 100th day. This Medicare Supplement benefit pays the coinsurance amount beginning on the 21st day. This benefit is included in Plans C through J.

Part B Deductible: The Medicare Part B deductible is the amount you must pay each year for medical expenses (such as doctor fees) before Medicare begins paying. (The Part B deductible amount may change per year). This Medicare Supplement benefit reimburses you the deductible amount. This benefit is included in Plan C, Plan F, and Plan J.

Part B Excess Charges: Medicare Part B pays 80% of a predetermined amount (called the "Medicare approved" amount) for each procedure performed by your doctor or other medical care provider. If your doctor accepts Medicare "assignment", the provider may only bill you for the difference between the amount paid by Medicare and the amount approved by Medicare.

Part B Excess Charges (100%) benefit, the policy will pay the full amount billed by your doctors or other providers who do not take Medicare assignment subject to the limiting charge. This benefit is included in Plan F, Plan I, and Plan J.

The Part B Excess Charge (80%) benefit, the policy will pay 80% of the amount you are billed by your doctors or other providers. This benefit is only in Plan G. Theoretically, you should save money on premium costs if you select the 80% benefit rather than the 100% benefit.

Foreign Travel Emergency: The original Medicare plan does not pay for medical care outside of the United States, but some Medicare managed care plans, private Fee-for-Service plans, and some Medicare Supplement plans do. This Medicare Supplement benefit will pay 80% of your expenses for most emergency medical care in a foreign country during the first 60 days of a trip abroad after you pay a $250 deductible. There is a lifetime maximum benefit, so check your current handbook¹ for the dollar amount. This benefit is in Plan C through Plan J. Check your insurance coverage before you travel.

At-Home Recovery: Under the home health care benefit, Medicare pays for intermittent visits by a nurse or other skilled care provider in your home during recovery from an acute illness. Medicare does not pay for custodial care in your home such as homemaker services, ( i.e. help with bathing, dressing, laundry, or shopping). This Medicare Supplement benefit pays per home visit. Check your handbook¹ for current benefits for medically necessary custodial care while you are recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery. An insurance company may limit the number of visits to equal the number of Medicare home health care visits. This benefit is in Plan D, Plan G, Plan I, and Plan J.

Preventive Care: Medicare pays for some testing for diagnostic purposes. This Medicare Supplement benefit pays up to $120 per year for certain tests done for screening purposes, routine physical exams, patient education, and other medically appropriate tests or preventive measures not covered by Medicare. This benefit is included in Plan E and Plan J.