Medicare Supplement Plan C: Your Guide to Comprehensive Coverage

Estimated Read Time: ~6 minutes

Summary: Medicare Supplement Plan C provides comprehensive coverage for those eligible before 2020, helping cover Medicare deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs. Learn how it compares to other Medicare options.

Are you still eligible for Plan C?

Medicare Supplement Plan C is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. Even if you don’t qualify, understanding Plan C will help you understand Original Medicare and your coverage options.

What is Medicare Supplement Plan C?

Medicare Supplement Plan C, like all Medicare supplement plans, was designed to reduce what you pay out-of-pocket for expenses that Original Medicare does not cover. When you have Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement Plan C, Medicare pays its share of approved healthcare costs first. Then your Medicare Supplement Plan C kicks in to help pay your remaining share.

Standardization is an important feature of all Medicare Supplement Plans. This means the basic benefits are identical regardless of which insurance company sells the policy. While premiums and service quality may vary between companies, the coverage remains identical.

Why Medicare Supplement Plan C is no longer available to new enrollees?

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015 changed Medicare supplement options for newer enrollees.

If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you can’t purchase Plan C because it covers the Medicare Part B deductible—something MACRA specifically prohibits. This same restriction applies to Plan F, which was previously the most popular Medicare supplement option.

These changes were designed to ensure that those enrolled in Medicare share some costs when accessing care.¹

Key benefits of Medicare Supplement Plan C

Medicare Supplement Plan C offers extensive coverage that addresses most gaps in Original Medicare:

• Hospital costs: Covers Part A coinsurance and provides an additional 365 days of coverage after Medicare benefits are exhausted
• Medical costs: Pays the 20% Part B coinsurance for doctor visits and outpatient services
• Blood coverage: Covers the first three pints of blood
• Hospice care: Covers copayments and coinsurance for hospice services
• Skilled nursing: Pays coinsurance for stays in skilled nursing facilities
• Deductibles: Fully covers both the Part A hospital deductible ($1,676 in 2025) and Part B medical deductible ($257 in 2025)
• Foreign travel: Includes emergency healthcare coverage during international travel (80% of costs after a $250 deductible, up to $50,000 lifetime)

Who can still apply for Plan C?

You can still apply for Medicare Supplement Plan C if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. This includes individuals who turned 65 before this date or qualified for Medicare due to a disability before 2020.

If you’re eligible for Plan C and currently have a different Medicare supplement insurance plan, you may be able to switch to Plan C. However, depending on your enrollment timing, you might need to go through medical underwriting unless you qualify for guaranteed issue rights or are still within your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

Plan C vs. other Medicare Supplement options

When evaluating Medicare supplement plans, it’s helpful to understand how Plan C compares to alternatives. The table below highlights just a few of the available Medicare supplement options to give you a starting point for your research:

*Plan N covers Part B coinsurance except for a copayment of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.

For those newly eligible for Medicare, Plan G has emerged as the most comprehensive Medicare supplement option, stepping into the role previously held by Plan F which is only available to those eligible for Medicare before 2020. While Plan G covers almost everything that Plan F did, it doesn’t pay the Medicare Part B deductible, and that is the key difference between these popular coverage options.

Costs and value considerations

Medicare Supplement Plan C plans have a monthly premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premium. Plan C costs vary based on age, location, gender, tobacco use, and insurance company. Rates for Plan C may be higher than some alternatives because it covers the Part B deductible.

Plan C eliminates both Medicare deductibles from your potential expenses. The $1,676 Part A hospital deductible and the $257 Part B medical deductible for 2025 are covered under the plan.²

When comparing Medicare supplement options, consider each plan’s monthly premium and the level of coverage it provides.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan C right for you?

Plan C is available if you became eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. It provides coverage for both Part A and Part B deductibles, as well as foreign travel emergency benefits.

If you don’t qualify for Plan C due to MACRA restrictions, Plan G or Plan N may be comparable alternatives that offer similar comprehensive coverage but require you to pay the Part B deductible yourself.

Securing your Medicare future

While Plan C’s availability is limited to those who qualified for Medicare before 2020, understanding your options remains essential regardless of your eligibility status. Each Medicare journey is unique, and finding the right coverage requires careful consideration of your healthcare needs, budget, and long-term goals.

Take time to compare the various Medicare supplement plans to understand what benefits each one offers. Exploring your options can help you find coverage that aligns with your healthcare needs and budget priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What’s the difference between Medicare Supplement Plan C and Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)?

Medicare Supplement Plan C is a type of Medicare supplement insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B). It helps cover out-of-pocket costs like deductibles. copayments, and coinsurance. However, Plan C does not include coverage for prescription drugs or dental care, so you’d need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for medications and consider standalone dental insurance or dental savings plan coverage for your dental needs.

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurance companies. It replaces your Part A and Part B coverage and often includes additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental, vision, and hearing, though exact offerings vary by plan. Unlike Medicare Supplement Plan C, Medicare Advantage plans typically have network restrictions and their own cost-sharing structures.

Q2. Why is Plan C no longer available to new Medicare enrollees?

Medicare Supplement Plan C is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. This change was part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) of 2015, which phased out plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible, specifically Plans C and F, for those new to Medicare.

The goal of this change was to ensure that all Medicare enrollees share some out-of-pocket costs, helping to reduce unnecessary use of medical services and manage overall program expenses. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to purchase Plan C.

Q3. Can I keep Medicare Plan C if I already have it?

Yes! If you already have Plan C, you can keep your coverage as long as you continue to pay your premiums on time (and there has been no material misrepresentation).

Sources

Congress.gov. Web page: H.R.2 – Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2025, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/2/text

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Web page: 2025 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. Retrieved March 30, 2025, from https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2025-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles

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