Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)

Original Medicare leaves gaps — deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that can add up. Medigap policies from private insurers help pay some of those costs. This page explains how Medigap works in plain language.

General information only — not a recommendation of any plan. Plan availability, costs, and benefits vary by county and eligibility.

What is a Medigap policy?

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra coverage you purchase from a private insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare — things like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that Part A and Part B do not fully cover.

How Medigap works with Original Medicare

To buy a Medigap policy you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. When you receive care, Medicare pays its approved share first, then your Medigap plan may pay its portion according to the standardized plan letter you chose.

Note: Medigap plans sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you will generally need a separate Part D plan.

Standardized letter plans

Medigap policies are standardized and named by letters (Plan A, B, G, K, N, and others). Within a lettered plan, benefits are the same across insurers; premiums and company service can still differ. Common plans people ask about include:

• Plan G — Often chosen by new enrollees; covers many Original Medicare cost-sharing amounts except typically the Part B deductible.
• Plan N — Often a lower premium with modest copays on some office and ER visits.
• Plan K / Plan L — Cost-sharing plans with generally lower premiums and an annual out-of-pocket limit.

Which letter (if any) fits you depends on your doctors, budget, and health history — we do not recommend a specific plan on this page.

What Medigap may cover

Depending on the plan letter, Medigap can help with Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Part B coinsurance or copayments, blood (first 3 pints), Part A hospice coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, certain deductibles, and limited foreign travel emergency care.

What Medigap generally does not cover

Medigap typically does not cover long-term custodial care, vision, dental, hearing aids, or private-duty nursing. Those needs may involve other products or a Medicare Advantage plan, depending on your situation.

Medigap Open Enrollment

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older, and lasts 6 months. During that window, insurers in most cases cannot deny you a Medigap policy or charge more based on pre-existing conditions. After that window, medical underwriting may apply — you could be denied or charged more. Rules can vary; ask a licensed agent about your situation.

Premiums and comparing carriers

Premiums vary by plan letter, insurer, location, and rating method. We can compare Medigap options available through the carriers we represent. We do not offer every plan available in your area.