Medicare Supplement Plan A
Plan A: the basic plan.
Plan A is the most basic Medicare Supplement plan. Every company that sells Medigap must offer it. It covers the hospital co-insurance and the 20% Part B co-insurance, but not the Part A hospital deductible or skilled nursing care, so most people who compare it with Plan G or Plan N choose one of those for a little more per month.
Plan A quick facts
Plan A is usually the lowest-premium plan, but it leaves the $1,736 hospital deductible with you. Plan A benefits are standardized by federal law, so every company's Plan A pays the same — only the premium is different.
Your Medicare out-of-pocket costs with Plan A vs. without Plan A
The table below shows some of your potential Medicare out-of-pocket costs in 2026 with Plan A vs. without Plan A.
| Medicare out-of-pocket costs | With Plan A | Without Plan A |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | You pay the full amount | $1,736 per benefit period |
| Inpatient hospital stay co-insurance (days 61–150) | $0 | $434 per day, then $868 per day |
| Part B co-insurance or co-payment | $0 | 20% of the cost of care |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | $0 | 100% of the cost of the first 3 pints |
| Hospice care co-insurance or co-payment | $0 | 5% of the cost of respite care $5 per prescription drug |
| Skilled nursing facility co-insurance after day 20 of care | You pay the full amount | $217 per day |
| Part B deductible | You pay the full amount | $283 per year |
| Part B excess charges | You pay the full amount | Up to 15% of the Medicare-approved cost of a service |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | You pay the full amount | 100% of the cost |
Other Medicare Supplement plans
There are other Medigap plan options available. Click a plan to learn more about it: