Why Add Hospital Indemnity to Your Medicare Advantage Plan?
Protect yourself from surprise medical bills. Learn how hospital indemnity plans help cover the gaps in Medicare Advantage so you can stay financially secure.
What Is a Hospital Indemnity Plan?
A hospital indemnity plan is a type of supplemental insurance that pays you a fixed cash benefit when you're hospitalized or need certain types of care. Unlike traditional insurance, these plans pay you directly, regardless of what your Medicare Advantage plan pays.
Why It Makes Sense with Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans commonly include structured cost-sharing such as:
- Daily copays for hospital stays (e.g., $300–$400/day for the first 4–7 days)
- High emergency room or skilled nursing facility costs
- Limited coverage for observation stays
A hospital indemnity plan can offset these expenses by paying you cash—often $100 to $500 per day—depending on your plan.
Real-World Example: Without indemnity, a 5-day hospital stay could cost $1,500+ in copays. With indemnity, your plan pays $200/day = $1,000 total benefit. That’s a major financial cushion.
Cost Comparison Table
| Coverage Feature | MA Only | With HIP Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Hospital Stay (5 days) | $1,875 (e.g., $375/day) | $1,875 − $1,750 benefit = $125 |
| Observation Stay (2 days) | $500 (e.g., $250/day) | $500 − $500 benefit = $0 |
| Skilled Nursing (10 days) | $2,000 (e.g., $200/day) | $2,000 − $2,000 benefit = $0 |
| Ambulance Transport | $325 per trip | $325 − $325 benefit = $0 |
| Cancer Treatment | $750 copay | $750 benefit = $0 |
| Total Out-of-Pocket | $5,450+ | As little as $125* |
What Do These Plans Typically Cover?
| Benefit Type | Typically Covered? |
|---|---|
| Inpatient Hospital Stay | Yes |
| Observation Stay | Yes (on select plans) |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Care | Yes (optional rider) |
| Ambulance Transport | Yes |
| ER or Urgent Care Visits | Yes |
| Cancer Treatment | Yes (optional rider) |
Ideal for People Who:
- Have Medicare Advantage plans with high daily copays
- Are on a fixed income
- Want to avoid dipping into savings during a hospital stay
What to Look for in a Plan
- Daily benefit amount (e.g. $250/day for up to 10 days)
- Waiting periods or exclusions
- Optional riders (e.g., skilled nursing, cancer, outpatient services)
- Guaranteed issue vs. medical underwriting
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a hospital indemnity plan?
A hospital indemnity plan pays you a fixed cash benefit when you’re hospitalized. It works alongside Medicare Advantage to help cover out-of-pocket costs.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover hospital stays completely?
No, most Medicare Advantage plans have daily copays for inpatient hospital stays, which can add up quickly.
Is hospital indemnity insurance worth it?
It can be, especially if your Medicare Advantage plan has high hospital copays or if you're on a fixed income.
Conclusion
Hospital indemnity insurance offers peace of mind for people with Medicare Advantage. With rising out-of-pocket costs, this small policy can deliver big financial relief.