Compare and Change Your Medicare Supplement Plan

Medicare Benefits

Sep 8, 2021

Want to find the Medicare Supplement plan that’s right for you? We can help you understand what Medigap is and how to compare Medigap plans, as well as when to enroll in Medicare Supplement.

Are you on Original Medicare and looking to lower your out-of-pocket costs – but don’t want to switch to a Medicare Advantage plan? A Medicare Supplement plan (also known as Medigap) could be for you. At Medicare Benefits, we can help you compare Medigap plans. We’ll equip you with the knowledge you need to decide which Medicare Supplement plan may be right for you.

What is Medicare Supplement (Medigap)?

Sold by private insurance companies, Medicare Supplement reduces Original Medicare’s otherwise uncapped out-of-pocket expenses. These costs may include coinsurance, copayments and deductibles.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ensure all Medigap policies provide the same level of coverage, no matter which company administers them, but costs and coverage may vary.

There are different prices attached to each of a series of lettered plans – starting with A and continuing to N (there are no plans for the letters E, H, I and J). Not all private insurers are able to offer the full range of Medigap plans, and changes in policy mean they can’t sell Plans C and F to the newly enrolled.

Do keep in mind that if you already have or are thinking of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can’t have a Medicare Supplement policy as well.

What’s covered by Medicare Supplement?

The coverage offered by the different Medigap plans varies – and it can change each year. In general terms, you can expect Part A coinsurance and hospital costs to be covered for up to 365 days after your Original Medicare benefits are used up. Many plans sold before January 1 2020 also covered the Part B deductible, but this is no longer the case.

It’s particularly important to note the things Medicare Supplement doesn’t cover. Long-term care expenses aren’t included, nor is dental care. Also excluded are eyeglasses, hearing aids and private-duty nursing. In addition, some states have a Medicare waiver, meaning private health insurance companies aren’t obliged to offer any Medigap plans within those states.

When should you buy a Medicare Supplement plan?

To enroll without the need for a physical examination (or without having to reveal details of your medical history), you should make use of the six-month Open Enrollment Period that begins the moment you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. No insurance company can refuse to sell you a policy sold in your state, or compel you to share details of any pre-existing conditions, if you enroll within this period.
As you’d expect, enrolling outside of this initial six-month enrollment period could oblige you to undergo medical underwriting, and any pre-existing conditions could be excluded from your coverage. Private health insurance companies are also within their rights to deny you coverage if you apply to enroll in a Medigap plan outside your initial enrollment period, or can charge you more based on your pre-existing conditions.What’s the cost of Medigap?
Premiums can vary, so it’s a good idea to shop around before committing to the plan that works for your budget.

Let us help you compare Medicare Supplement plans

You can compare Medigap plans using our online plan finder and comparison tool. Or if you prefer, you can call a dedicated, fully licensed sales agent at 888-725-1780 or TTY 711.