Supplemental Medicare Insurance Plans
Also known as Medi-Gap, this policy helps cover the gaps that original Medicare doesn't cover.
Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medi-Gap)
Medicare Supplemental Insurance or Medi-Gap is a private health insurance policy that is designed to supplement Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This means it helps pay some of the health care costs, or “gaps” that Original Medicare doesn’t cover (like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles). Every Medigap policy must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you.
Medicare Supplemental Plans are standardized by the Federal Government. No matter which company you purchase your Medicare Supplemental plan from the core Medicare benefits will be exactly the same. Some Medicare Supplemental companies will offer additional benefits such as discount programs for Vision and gym membership.
There are 10 modernized plans labeled A through N that pay for part, or all, of Medicare’s co-payments and deductibles, with Plan F being the most comprehensive. Effective January 2020 Plan C and F will only be available to Medicare beneficiaries that were eligible for Medicare prior to January 2020.
Some may also cover other health care costs that Medicare does not pay for, such as foreign travel emergency medical care.
Important things to know about Medicare Supplement policies:
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You must have Medicare Part A and Part B.
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If you are applying for a Medicare Supplement plan outside of the Open Enrollment period, you may be subject to the carrier’s underwriting policies.
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If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can apply for a Medigap plan, but make sure you can leave the Medicare Advantage Plan before your Medicare Supplement policy begins.
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You pay the private insurance company a monthly premium for your Medicare Supplement policy in addition to the monthly Part B premium that you pay to Medicare.
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A Medicare Supplement policy only covers one person. If you and your spouse both want Medicare Supplement coverage, you’ll each have to buy separate policies.
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You can buy a Medigap plan from any insurance company that’s licensed in your state to sell one.
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Any standardized Medicare Supplement insurance plan is guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company can’t cancel your Medicare Supplement policy as long as you pay the premium.
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Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
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The company cannot change the benefits covered by the plan, and cannot cancel the policy unless you fail to pay the monthly premium. The company can however, at its discretion, increase the premium you must pay.
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Medicare Supplement policies generally don’t cover long-term care, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.
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