Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare Supplement Plans

Gaps in healthcare coverage may mean that some people have difficulty getting certain expenses covered or may face high out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Supplement Plans were designed to help close these gaps, which is why they are often called "Medigap" plans. What separates Medicare Supplement from Medicare Advantage is that Medicare Supplement plans are designed to help cover some of the costs that Original Medicare normally passes on to the patient. These may include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Medicare pays its share of covered expenses first, and then your Medicare Supplement plan pays its share. In many cases, the Supplement plan may cover much of the remaining balance, depending on the specific plan. Keep in mind that Medicare Supplement plans provide medical coverage and do not replace Original Medicare.

Because Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare, your healthcare provider generally must accept Medicare for the services to be covered. One major benefit is the flexibility to receive care nationwide — you can use your Medicare Supplement plan anywhere in the United States with providers who accept Medicare. This can make Medicare Supplement coverage especially appealing to people who travel frequently or want greater flexibility when choosing healthcare providers.

Types Of Medicare Supplement Plans

Medicare standardized all Supplement plans in 1990, designating each type of plan with a letter. Medicare Supplement plans are named as follows: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, or N.

No matter which private insurance company provides the policy, plans with the same letter will offer the same benefits. The main difference between Medicare Supplement plans from insurance company to insurance company is premium. Based on the amount of coverage you want your Medicare Supplement plan to have, along with other factors, will determine your premium. Beneficiaries should shop and compare plans to find the plan to meet their needs and budget.

Items not covered by any Medicare Supplement Plan

• Routine dental, hearing, and vision exams
• Glasses or contacts
• Hearing aids
• Retail prescription drugs
• Long term care or custodial care

How To Enroll into a Medicare Supplement Plan

Medicare Supplement plans have different enrollment rules than Medicare Advantage and Part D plans. Your primary opportunity to enroll is during your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Open Enrollment Period, a six-month period that generally begins the first month you have Medicare Part B and are age 65 or older. During this period, you can generally purchase any Medigap policy available to you without medical underwriting.

After your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends, you may have to answer health questions and go through medical underwriting to qualify for coverage. However, certain situations may give you guaranteed-issue rights, meaning an insurance company must offer you certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting. Because eligibility and state rules can vary, speak with a licensed insurance agent about your specific enrollment options.