Medigap Plan A

Plan A is the core benefit package every other letter builds on: it pays your Part A hospital coinsurance (with up to 365 extra hospital days after Medicare's benefits run out), your Part B coinsurance — generally the open-ended 20% — the first 3 pints of blood, and hospice cost-sharing. Everything else is yours: the Part A and Part B deductibles, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B excess charges, and foreign travel emergencies. In most states, any company that sells Medigap must offer Plan A.

What does Plan A cover?

Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 extra days after Medicare benefits are used) — Covered 100%
Part B coinsurance or copayment — Covered 100%
Blood (first 3 pints) — Covered 100%
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment — Covered 100%
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance — Not covered
Part A deductible — Not covered
Part B deductible — Not covered
Part B excess charges — Not covered
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) — Not covered

Who is Plan A a good fit for?

People whose main worry is the open-ended costs: the 20% Part B coinsurance has no cap of its own, and long hospital stays are the other unbounded risk — Plan A covers both.
People weighing the thinnest standardized package against its premium — most people comparing seriously also price G or N to see what the fuller letters cost in their state, then decide whether the completeness is worth the difference.

What are the trade-offs of Plan A?

The Part A deductible — $1,736 in 2026 — is yours each benefit period, and benefit periods can repeat within a year.
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance isn't covered: a rehab stay after a hospitalization can generate daily costs this plan won't touch.
A thin plan isn't automatically a cheap one — some carriers price Plan A close to fuller letters, so compare your own quotes before assuming the trade is worth it.

Key facts

Part A deductible: Not covered (2026)
Part B deductible: Not covered (2026)
Part B excess charges: Not covered (2026)
Sold by: Private insurers, standardized by federal law — same benefits at every company

Frequently asked questions

Does Plan A cover the Part B deductible?

No. You pay the annual Part B deductible yourself — $283 in 2026 — and Plan A picks up its share of covered services after that.

Does Plan A cover skilled nursing facility coinsurance?

No. From day 21 of a covered skilled nursing stay, the daily coinsurance is yours. Most other Medigap letters cover it, so it is worth checking before you choose.

Does Plan A cover Part B excess charges?

No. If a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, the excess charge — up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount — is yours. Not every state allows those charges.

Does Plan A cover care outside the United States?

No. Plan A includes no foreign travel emergency benefit, and Original Medicare almost never pays for care outside the United States.

Is Plan A the same at every insurance company?

Yes. Medigap benefits are standardized by law, so Plan A is the same package of benefits whoever sells it. Price, service and rate history are what differ — three states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin) standardize their plans differently.

Sources

Medicare.gov — Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) (accessed September 8, 2026)
CMS — Choosing a Medigap Policy (product 02110), benefit chart (accessed September 8, 2026)
CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles (accessed September 8, 2026)