Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is coverage offered by private insurance companies

to help pay certain out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not cover.

Medigap policies can help with expenses such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, depending on the plan selected.

How Does Medigap Work?

A Medicare Supplement plan works alongside Original Medicare.

Medicare pays its share of approved healthcare costs first.

Your Medicare Supplement plan may help cover some of the remaining eligible costs.

You can generally visit any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare patients.

What Medigap May Help Cover

Depending on the plan, Medicare Supplement insurance may help pay for:

Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs

Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments

Skilled nursing facility coinsurance

Blood transfusion costs (first three pints)

Hospice care coinsurance or copayments

Certain emergency healthcare services during foreign travel

Coverage varies by plan.

Why Consider a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Many beneficiaries choose Medicare Supplement coverage because it may help reduce unexpected

out-of-pocket healthcare expenses and provide predictable healthcare costs.

Benefits may include:

Flexibility to use providers that accept Medicare Standardized plan benefits

Nationwide coverage with participating Medicare providers

Protection from some out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare Eligibility

You may be eligible for a Medicare Supplement policy if:

You are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

You meet the eligibility requirements established by the insurance company offering the policy.

The best time to enroll is generally during your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period,

which begins when you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage

While both options help Medicare beneficiaries manage healthcare costs, they work differently.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap):

Works with Original Medicare

Generally allows access to any Medicare-participating provider

Does not typically include prescription drug coverage

Medicare Advantage (Part C):

Replaces Original Medicare coverage through a private plan

May include provider networks

Often includes additional benefits and may include prescription drug coverage