Medicare Supplement Insurance (also known as “Medigap” insurance) fills the gaps in “Original Medicare” coverage.
How Medigap Works
A Medicare Supplement Policy (AKA Medigap) allows you to keep Original Medicare, and get help through a private insurance company to pay for the health care costs that Medicare doesn’t cover (such as copays, coinsurance, and deductibles).
This is not the same as a Medicare Advantage Plan, which provides your coverage entirely through a private insurance company.
Medicare Supplement Facts:
- Medicare pays its share of Medicare approved amounts for covered health care costs
- The Medicare supplement policy will pay its share.
- You can purchase a Medicare Supplement policy from a private insurance company
- The plan types are standardized, but the costs will vary depending on the company
What are the Benefits of a Medicare Supplement?
- You can choose to go to any doctor, hospital, or specialist that accepts Medicare
- Medicare Supplements allow you to go to doctors and specialists without a referral, unlike HMOs
- Having peace of mind that your medical costs won’t become a burden to you or your family
Top Selling Medigap Policies
- Plan F – Covers everything Medicare doesn’t* (within the U.S.); even excess charges. (*Must be a Medicare Approved Service)
- Plan G – Covers everything Plan F covers, EXCEPT the Part B deductible of $166 (in 2016)
- Plan N – You pay up to a $20 copay for doctor visits, up to $50 for ER. Covers everything else EXCEPT excess charges and Part B deductible.
- High Deductible Plan F – Growing in popularity as an alternative to Medicare Advantage. You pay hospital deductible ($1288 in 2016), Part B deductible $166, and 20% Part B charges up to $2180 (in 2016).