Which of the following is NOT a core benefit of Medicare Supplement Plan A?

• A. Deductible payments for the first 60 days of hospitalization
• B. Part A coinsurance
• C. Part B coinsurance
• D. Coverage for skilled nursing facility coinsurance after day 20

Answer: (A)

The concept being tested is which costs a Medicare Supplement Plan A is designed to pay versus which costs Medicare itself or other gaps cover. Plan A is designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare by paying benefits such as Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, hospice care coinsurance, and the first 3 pints of blood, as well as skilled nursing facility coinsurance after day 20. It does not cover the Part A hospital deductible, which is a separate deductible that applies for the first 60 days of a hospital stay. So deductible payments for the first 60 days of hospitalization are not provided by Plan A, making that choice the correct NOT-a-core-type benefit.