Medicare Supplement Plan D

Medigap Plan D covers the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits. It does not cover the Part B deductible or excess charges. Plan D is a mid-tier option that offers meaningful protection for hospital stays and travel.

Plan D fills in several of the most common gaps in Original Medicare. The Part A deductible alone is $1,676 per benefit period in 2026 — a real cost if you're hospitalized. Skilled nursing facility coinsurance kicks in after 20 days and runs $209.50 per day through day 100 in 2026. If a post-hospital rehab stay is in your future, that coverage makes a meaningful difference.

What Plan D doesn't cover is worth noting. The Part B deductible ($257 in 2026) is small enough that many people simply pay it out of pocket rather than paying a higher premium to have it covered. Part B excess charges are not covered either, but they're uncommon and can generally be avoided by choosing Medicare-participating providers.

Plan D is a reasonable choice if you want hospital and skilled nursing protection without paying the premium for the most comprehensive coverage. Compare its premium to Plan G from the same carrier: if the gap is modest, Plan G's broader coverage may be worth the difference. Medigap plans are standardized by law, so the benefits are identical regardless of which company sells you Plan D.

When shopping Plan D, compare it directly against Plan G from the same carrier. If the premium difference is small, Plan G's broader coverage — including skilled nursing coinsurance — may be the better value. If the gap is substantial, Plan D's lower premium combined with self-insuring the uncovered gaps may make financial sense depending on your health history and how often you've needed skilled nursing care.