Medicare Supplement Plans

Purchasing a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan can provide many benefits for seniors. These include:

Consistent Coverage: Each Medigap plan letter provides the same coverage, regardless of the insurance company. However, costs can vary from company to company.

Insurance Gap Coverage: Original Medicare provides substantial coverage for hospital and medical services but doesn’t cover everything. Medigap plans help pay for costs that Medicare does not cover. This coverage can include things like Part A (hospital) deductible, Part B coinsurance or copayment, and foreign travel emergencies.

Guaranteed Renewal: As long as you pay your premium, your Medigap or Medicare Supplement policy will renew yearly. An insurance company cannot cancel your policy or raise your rates due to health conditions.

Portability: Medigap plans are not tied to a specific provider network. This means you can see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare, regardless of your Medigap insurance provider.

There are different kinds of Medicare Supplement plans, and each covers a specific set of costs. These are the plans that you see labeled Plan A  through Plan N. Some of the most notable and common plans are:

Medigap Plan F: This plan offers the most comprehensive coverage, including deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Medigap Plan G: This coverage option covers everything except the Original Medicare Part B (medical) deductible, making it a popular choice for many beneficiaries.

Medigap Plan N: This plan provides a lower premium option but requires some cost-sharing for doctor and emergency room visits.

It’s best to enroll in a Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the first month you are 65. During this period, you have guaranteed issue rights, meaning you cannot be denied coverage or charged more due to pre-existing conditions.

If you miss this period, you may still be able to enroll in a plan, but you could face higher premiums or be denied due to your health history. To purchase a Medigap plan, you must be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A  (hospital) and Part B  (medical).

When selecting a Medigap plan, it’s essential to evaluate all of the benefits, costs, and access to ensure it’s the coverage you need. Here are some factors to consider:

Benefits:  Evaluate a plan's extra benefits, such as foreign travel emergency coverage, to identify what matters most to you.

Costs: Premiums for the same plan can vary significantly between insurance companies. Get multiple quotes and compare costs.

Coverage Needs: Decide which costs you’re most concerned about (i.e., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) and which plans cover those costs.

It’s important to know the differences between Medicare Supplement or Medigap plans and Medicare Advantage plans (Part C). Here are some key differences:

Medigap supplements Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to it. 

Medicare Advantage plans often include additional benefits such as vision, dental, and wellness programs, but they usually require using in-network providers.

Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare, allowing you to see any Medicare-approved provider and offering more predictable costs.