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So what does Medicare Part F cover? Although you might not have heard about it by this name, there is a Medicare Plan F. “Original” Medicare, also called Parts A and B, covers hospitalization and many outpatient healthcare costs. Part C is the official term for Medicare Advantage, which is the services of Parts A and B, but through an HMO or PPO-type of private health insurance.nnMedicare Part D helps to pay some of the costs of prescription drugs. There is no Part E of Medicare. With so many options already with Parts A, B, C, and D, some people might wonder why we need a Plan F. What does Medicare Plan F cover?nnMany people in the insurance industry call Plan F the “Cadillac” coverage of Medicare supplement options. Another term for Plan F is “Medigap” coverage. As long as Medicare would cover the item, Medigap Plan F will pay for it.nnHow Medigap Coverage WorksnnMedigap coverage means you pay nothing for healthcare services that original Medicare covers. You will have two cards – your Medicare card and your Medigap supplemental policy card. When you receive medical services, you present both cards to the service provider. Medicare will pay its portion, and Medigap will pay the rest.nnWhat Medigap Does Not CovernnMedigap does not pay for things that original Medicare does not cover, unless your plan contains specific terms to the contrary. Neither original Medicare (Parts A and B) nor Medigap cover these things:nnVision care and eyeglassesnRoutine dental services and denturesnRoutine hearing examinations and hearing aidsnHomeopathic treatments, like acupuncture and acupressurenSurgery that is not medically necessarynPrescription drugs (Part D is a separate plan)nFoot care, unless the treatment is for a medical conditionnHelp with daily living tasks, like grooming and eatingnWhen Medicare denies a claim, Medigap will not pay any portion of the cost of the item or service. Medigap only kicks in after Medicare pays its part.nnThings That Medigap CoversnnHere are some examples of things that Medigap covers:nnYour annual deductible for Medicare Parts A and BnYour copays (usually 20 percent of the hospital, doctor, or another medical bill)nAn extra 365 days of hospital coverage after you use up your Medicare hospitalization benefitsnBlood transfusions, up to three pintsnCoinsurance for Part A hospice carenCoinsurance for a skilled nursing facilitynSome doctors charge the patient 15 percent more than the Medicare reimbursement rate. If you go to one of these doctors, you have to pay this “excess charge,” unless you have Medigap coverage. Medigap pays the 15 percent excess charge for you.nEmergency foreign travel for medical reasons, up to $50,000. Medicare does not cover any of this expense because Medicare only pays for healthcare services inside the United States, but a Medigap policy will pay 100 percent of this cost.nA portion of some of the expenses of emergency healthcare services in a foreign country, up to the individual policy’s limits.nMedigap policy premiums and benefits can vary widely from one company to another. You should read the details carefully and compare multiple policies.nnYour state’s laws might differ from the general law of this article. You might want to talk to an elder law attorney in your area.