Medicare Supplement Plans

What is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Medicare Supplement insurance, (also referred to as Medigap) is a plan sold by private insurance companies that pays the portion of the cost share for certain services not paid by Medicare Part A and Part B,  such as copays and coinsurance.

There are multiple types of Medicare Supplement plans that cover the cost share for specific services under Part A and/or Part B. These plan types are standardized so every insurance company covers services the same way.

(NOTE: In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Medicare Supplement plans are standardized differently than in the other 47 states.)

Available plan types include:

• A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, high-deductible Plan G*
• Plan G most comprehensive coverage
• Plan C and F are only available to indivduals who turned 65 by 1/1/2020.

*A high-deductible plan works differently than employer plans. When an expense is incurred, Medicare pays its portion first. Then, if its an eligible expense for your supplement plan, you must pay the cost share responsibility for each expense until your out of pocket payments meet the deductible. Thereafter, the plan will cover the remaining cost share of each eligible expense for the remainder of the year.

Medicare Supplement Plan Type Comparison Chart

A Medicare Supplement plan type comparison chart can be found on Medicare.gov.

Acceptance for Coverage Based on Health Status

Unlike a Medicare Advantage plan, the insurance company will ask health questions to evaluate whether they want to insure you and you may be denied coverage. One exception is during the first 6 months after you turn 65 when you can enroll in a plan without regard to your health status.

Medicare Supplement plans are guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems after you have been accepted for coverage. As long as you pay the premium, the insurance company can't cancel your policy .

If you are considering a Medicare Supplement plan, we believe its ideal for you to enroll in the plan when you first become eligible at age 65 so there are no medical/health questions and your acceptance is guaranteed. You can always move to a Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (10/15-12/7) for the new calendar year if the Medicare Supplement plan has become too expensive.

(NOTE: You may only have a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. You may not have both.)

Attributes of Medicare Supplement Plans

Here are the common attributes of a Medicare Supplement plan.

• Plan premium based on health, age, gender, zip
• May take the policy with you if you move to another state
• May use any provider and/or facility in the U.S. that accepts Medicare
• Limited medical coverage for emergency and urgent care when traveling outside U.S.
• May include value-added services such as fitness
• Discounts possible when both spouses enroll with same insurance company
• Plan changes permitted any time during the year
  (must medically qualify to make a change)
• Monthly premium usually increases each year

Part D Prescription Drug Coverage with a Medicare Supplement Plan

Part D Prescription drug coverage must always be purchased as a separate plan. For more information, click on Part D-Prescription Drug Plans for more information.

Don't Forget Dental and Vision Coverage

When enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan, there is no dental or vision coverage included. To get more information about coverage options, go to the Dental/Vision section of the website.

By contacting the phone number on this website you will be directed to a licensed agent.