Medigap Plan B covers 5 out of the 9 core Medigap benefits. It is a step up from Plan A because it includes the Medicare Part A deductible, making it more comprehensive while still remaining relatively affordable.
What Does Medigap Plan B Cover?
Plan B provides coverage for the following costs left over by Original Medicare:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end)
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First 3 pints of blood
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Medicare Part A deductible
What Plan B does not cover: It does not include the Medicare Part B deductible, Part B excess charges, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, or foreign travel emergency care.
Plan B vs. No Medigap Coverage
The table below highlights how Plan B helps reduce out-of-pocket costs compared to having only Original Medicare. 2025 deductible values are included.
| Medicare Out-of-Pocket Costs | With Plan B | Without Plan B |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible (2025: $1,632 per benefit period) | $0 | $1,632 per benefit period |
| Inpatient hospital stay coinsurance | $0 | Up to $816 per day (after day 60) |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | $0 | 20% of Medicare-approved amount |
| First 3 pints of blood | $0 | 100% of cost |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment | $0 | 5% of respite care; $5 per prescription |
Is Plan B Right for You?
Plan B can be a good fit if you want more protection than Plan A but don’t need the broader coverage of Plans F, G, or N. By covering the Part A deductible, it eliminates one of the biggest hospital-related out-of-pocket costs for Medicare beneficiaries.
As with all Medigap policies, benefits are standardized across insurers. What varies is the premium, so be sure to compare rates before enrolling.
Compare Plan B to Other Medigap Plans
Use the chart below to see how Plan B compares to other standardized Medigap options.
Benefits offered by each Medigap plan
Compare the benefits of each lettered plan to help you find one that meets your needs now and in the future. You might not be able to switch Medigap policies later.
✔ = Plan covers 100% ✘ = Plan doesn’t cover % = Amount the plan covers
| Benefits | A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part B copays/coinsurance | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 50% | 75% | ✔ | ✔ |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 50% | 75% | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part A hospice | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 50% | 75% | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skilled nursing facility | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 50% | 75% | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part A deductible | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✔ |
| Part B deductible | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ |
| Part B excess charges | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ | ✘ | ✔ | ✔ | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | ✔ |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✘ | ✘ | 80% | 80% | 80% | ✘ | ✘ | ✘ | 80% | 80% |
| $7,220 | $3,610 | |||||||||
Next Steps
Want to see if Plan B is available in your state? Visit our state guide or get personalized premium quotes with our Compare Rates tool. A licensed insurance agent can also help you decide whether Plan B offers enough coverage for your needs.