Medicare Supplement Plans

Overview

Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical). It covers many services, but does not pay 100% of approved costs. You are responsible for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan helps cover some of those remaining costs, providing more predictable costs throughout the year.

How Medigap Works with Original Medicare

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare, it does not replace it. Medicare pays its approved share first and the Medigap plan pays its portion of the remaining costs according to the plan's benefits.

To have a Medigap plan, you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Medigap plans are individual and do not cover spouses.

Standardized Medicare Supplement Plans

Medigap plans are standardized by letter in most states. A plan of the same type offers the same basic benefits regardless of the insurance company, though premiums and availability vary.

Who May Qualify

Generally, you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B). The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your Medigap open enrollment period, which lasts six months and begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.

Medical underwriting may apply outside this period. Availability and pricing vary by state and insurer.

Key Things to Consider

• Premium considerations: Medigap plans usually have a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium.
• Difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage: Medigap supplements Original Medicare; Medicare Advantage replaces it with a private plan that administers your benefits.
• Medigap generally does not include drug coverage (Part D); you may need a separate Part D plan.
• Standardized plans make it easier to compare benefits across companies.
• Enrollment outside the open enrollment period may be subject to medical underwriting.