The short answer
A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare to help pay the costs Medicare doesn't, such as deductibles, copays and coinsurance. You can see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare. Medigap doesn't include drug coverage, so most people pair it with a Part D plan.
Written by Alan Roy, independent licensed insurance agent (FL #W937474) · Updated
How does a Medicare Supplement work?
With Original Medicare, Medicare pays its share of your covered hospital and medical costs first. Your Medigap plan then pays some or all of what's left, depending on the plan you choose. That makes your costs more predictable.
Because it works with Original Medicare, there's no network: you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. That's one reason Medigap is popular with snowbirds and people who travel.
What are the Medigap plan letters?
Medigap plans are standardized and named by letter (such as Plan G and Plan N). A plan with the same letter offers the same basic benefits no matter which insurance company sells it. What differs between companies is the price, how the price may change over time, and customer service.
Plans C and F are only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6 months that start the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this window you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, and you can't be turned down or charged more because of your health.
Outside that window, insurance companies may be able to ask health questions and decline coverage, so timing matters.
What doesn't Medigap cover?
- Prescription drugs (you'll want a separate Part D plan)
- Routine dental, vision and hearing care
- Long-term care
Who it may fit
- You want the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
- You split your time between Florida and another state
- You prefer predictable costs and few surprise bills
- You're comfortable paying a monthly premium in exchange for lower costs when you need care
How Alan helps
- Explains how the plan letters differ in plain English
- Compares prices from the companies he represents for the same plan letter
- Helps you time your purchase around your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
- Pairs your Medigap plan with a Part D plan that fits your prescriptions
Frequently asked questions
Can I have a Medicare Supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan?
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. If you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, a Medigap policy can't pay your Medicare Advantage costs.
Does a Medigap plan include prescription drug coverage?
No. Medigap plans sold today don't include drug coverage. Most people add a separate Part D plan, and going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can mean a lifelong late penalty.
Will my Medigap plan work if I move to Florida?
A Medigap policy usually moves with you, but your premium may change. Switching to a different Medigap policy outside your open enrollment window may mean answering health questions.
Does it cost anything to work with Alan?
No. Alan's help is free to you. He's paid by the insurance companies he represents.
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This page is general educational information about Medicare and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, benefits and costs vary by plan and county. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.