Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

What is Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies and work alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). They help pay some of the costs Original Medicare doesn’t, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Standardized plan letters

In most states, plans are standardized and named by letter — A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Plans with the same letter have the same basic benefits no matter which company sells them, so price is usually what varies between insurance companies. That’s why comparing matters. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.

Plans C and F aren’t available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, though people who were eligible before then may still be able to buy them.

Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible. Plan N typically has a lower premium in exchange for copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t result in an inpatient admission, and it doesn’t cover Part B excess charges.

Any doctor who accepts Medicare

With a Medigap policy, you can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare — there’s no network to worry about, except with Medicare SELECT policies, which do use networks.

Prescription drug coverage isn’t included

Medigap policies don’t include prescription drug coverage. Most people pair a Medigap policy with a stand-alone Part D plan.

Travel coverage

Several plan letters — C, D, F, G, M, and N — include foreign travel emergency coverage: 80% of eligible costs after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit.

When to enroll

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window that starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During this window, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, and the insurance company can’t deny you coverage or charge you more because of health conditions.

Outside that window, insurance companies in most states can use medical underwriting, unless you have a guaranteed issue right — for example, if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, or you’re within a trial period after first trying Medicare Advantage. Some states offer extra protections beyond the federal minimum. Visit Medicare.gov for the current rules in your state.

A few other things to know

• Each policy covers one person — spouses need to buy their own policies.
• You can’t use a Medigap policy together with a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Insurance companies price premiums using one of three methods — community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated — and premiums can increase over time under any of them.

May be a fit if you

• Want to see any provider that accepts Medicare, nationwide
• Travel often or split your time between states
• Prefer predictable costs when you get care
• Are turning 65 and currently in your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

How I can help

Comparing Medigap plan letters and insurance companies can feel overwhelming. I’ll walk through your options together, side by side, so you can see how they fit your doctors, your travel plans, and your budget. Schedule a review whenever you’re ready.