A Medicare supplement plan, also known as Medigap, is a private health insurance plan that helps pay some of the costs of Original Medicare, which is government-funded health insurance for people 65 and older.
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital care, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and some home health care. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers doctor visits, outpatient care, preventive care, and some other medical services.
Medigap plans can help pay for:
Copayments and deductibles
Foreign travel emergency medical care
Medigap plans are standardized, which means that they all cover the same benefits. However, there are different riders, each with its own set of costs and coverage.
You can buy a Medigap plan anytime you have Medicare Part A and Part B. However, you may be subject to underwriting if you enroll in a Medigap plan once you have been enrolled in Medicare Part A and B for more than one year.