Medicare Supplement Plan J 2027: What It Covered, Keeping It and Switching

2027 by the Numbers

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January 1, 2006. Under the Medicare Modernization Act, new Medicare Supplement policies could no longer include drug coverage. Drug coverage moved to Part D.

June 1, 2010. The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) took effect. Plans E, H, I and J, including High-Deductible Plan J, were dropped for new buyers.

Benefits removed. The at-home recovery and preventive care benefits were removed from all new plans. Medicare now covers many preventive services itself.

New plans added. Plans M and N were added, and hospice coverage was added to several plan letters.

Good to know: Plan F and Plan C later closed to people new to Medicare on January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to buy Plan F.

It renews every year. Standardized policies bought after 1992 are guaranteed renewable. The company cannot cancel you because of health problems.

Your doctors stay the same. Plan J works with any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. There are no networks.

You need separate drug coverage. Most Plan J holders get drug coverage from a Part D plan. Check that you have a Part D plan or other creditable coverage to avoid a late penalty.

Plan G. The most popular choice for new buyers. You pay only the Part B deductible. See our Medicare Supplement Plan G guide.

Plan F. Pays the Part B deductible too, but only for people eligible for Medicare before 2020. Read our Plan F guide.

Plan N. A lower premium in exchange for copays and no excess charge coverage. Learn more in our Plan N guide.

Pro: almost nothing out of pocket. Plan J pays the Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance and excess charges.

Pro: no health questions to stay. Keeping Plan J means you never have to qualify medically again.

Con: a closed group of members. No new people can join Plan J, so the group only gets older over time. In a closed block like this, premiums can rise faster than in open plans.

Con: the extras are small. The at-home recovery and preventive benefits have low yearly limits, and Medicare already covers many preventive services.

Watch out: Do not cancel Plan J until a new policy is approved and in force. If you drop it first and are turned down for a new plan, you cannot get Plan J back.

Check your current rate. Compare your Plan J premium with Plan G, Plan N and, if eligible, Plan F quotes in your ZIP code.

Look for state rules. A few states give extra rights to switch plans without health questions. Ask a licensed agent what applies in your state.

Apply and get approved. Answer the health questions honestly. Keep paying for Plan J while the new company reviews your application.

Use the free look. You have 30 days to decide whether to keep the new policy. Cancel Plan J only after the new plan is active.

➤ Can I still buy Medicare Supplement Plan J in 2027?

No. Plan J has not been sold to new buyers since June 1, 2010. Plan G, Plan N and, if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, Plan F are the closest plans you can buy now.

➤ Can I keep my Plan J policy?

Yes. Medicare.gov says that if you already have Plan J, you can generally keep it. It renews each year as long as you pay the premium, even if you have health problems.

➤ What did Plan J cover?

Plan J paid the Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance and Part B excess charges, plus 80% of foreign travel emergencies. It also added at-home recovery care up to $1,600 a year and preventive care up to $120 a year.

➤ Does Plan J cover prescription drugs?

Policies sold after 2005 have no drug coverage. Some older Plan J policies had a drug benefit, but it could only be kept by people who did not join Part D. Most people with Plan J get drug coverage from a Part D plan.

➤ What replaced Plan J?

No single plan replaced it. Plan F is the closest match, and Plan G is the same as Plan F except you pay the Part B deductible. Plans M and N were added in 2010.

➤ Why might my Plan J premium keep going up?

No new members can join Plan J, so the insured group gets older over time, and premiums in a closed group like this can rise faster.

➤ Do I need to answer health questions to leave Plan J?

In most states, yes. Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a new company can review your health. A few states have special rules that make switching easier.

➤ What was High-Deductible Plan J?

It was a version of Plan J that paid only after you met a yearly deductible, which was $1,790 in 2006. It was dropped for new buyers along with regular Plan J in 2010.

Medicare Supplement Quotes

Call a Licensed Agent Now

Compare 2027 Plan G, Plan N and more from several insurance companies in one call.

☎ 1-855-409-6195

No obligation to enroll