For a retiree on Medicare who requires multiple hospital stays in one year, which policy would be most beneficial for covering excess expenses?

The most beneficial policy for a retiree on Medicare who requires multiple hospital stays in one year is Medicare Supplement. This type of policy, often referred to as Medigap, is specifically designed to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage.

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers a significant portion of hospital expenses, but there are still some out-of-pocket costs that beneficiaries must pay, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. For instance, Medicare Part A requires a deductible for each benefit period, and after certain limits, it also has coinsurance amounts that can accumulate during extended hospital stays.

Medicare Supplement plans help pay for these out-of-pocket costs, enabling retirees to manage their medical expenses more effectively, especially when faced with multiple hospital admissions. They offer predictable costs and provide peace of mind by reducing the financial burden associated with hospital stays and other medical services not fully covered by Medicare.

While Medicare Advantage plans also provide additional benefits, they often come with network restrictions and may manage care in a way that could limit access. Medicare Part D focuses on prescription drug coverage, which is not directly related to hospital expenses. Long-Term Care Insurance is intended for extended personal or custodial care, rather than hospital stays. Therefore, for