What Is Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance?

Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans are offered by private insurance companies. These plans will help cover the health care costs that Medicare doesn't cover, like deductibles, co-pays and co-insurance.

If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medicare Supplement, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Your Medicare Supplement will then pay its share of the costs. 

What you need to know about Medigap policies:

• You must have Medicare Part A and Part B and continue to pay your Part B premium. 
• If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can apply for a Medigap policy, but you must have an election period to disenroll for the Medicare Advantage Plan before your Medicare Supplement coverage begins.
• You pay the private insurance company a monthly premium for your Medigap policy in addition to the monthly Part B premium that you pay to Medicare.
• You can buy a Medigap policy from any insurance company that is licensed in your state to sell one.
• Medicare Supplement Plans do not include prescription drug coverage.  If you want prescription drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Part D Plan. 

For more information, visit Medicare.gov