Medicare Supplement · Medigap
Medicare Supplement, explained simply.
A Supplement plan works alongside Original Medicare to help with the out-of-pocket costs Medicare leaves behind.
What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
A Medicare Supplement plan — also called Medigap — is a private insurance policy that helps pay some of the health care costs Original Medicare does not cover, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It works only with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). You keep Original Medicare, and the Supplement plan helps fill in some of the gaps.
Supplement plans are sold by private insurance companies. They do not include prescription drug coverage, so most people who choose a Supplement plan also add a stand-alone Part D drug plan. See Part D Drug Plans.
How Supplement plans are standardized
In most states, including Georgia, Supplement plans are standardized — plans are sold under lettered categories, and every plan of the same letter must offer the same basic benefits, no matter which company sells it. What differs between companies is the monthly premium, and sometimes the customer service and extras that come with the policy. That makes comparing easier in one way: the coverage in a given letter is the same, so the decision often comes down to price and the company behind it.
Because the details of each lettered plan matter, we go over them with you one by one rather than listing them here. Call us and we will explain which categories exist and what each one generally covers.
What to think about
- When you enroll matters. The best time to buy a Supplement plan is usually during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six months that start when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers generally cannot turn you down or charge you more because of your health.
- Your doctors. With Original Medicare plus a Supplement plan, you can generally see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country. There are no networks to check.
- Your prescriptions. Supplement plans do not cover drugs, so remember to pair one with a Part D plan — and check your prescriptions against that plan's drug list.
- Your budget. Supplement plans have a monthly premium in addition to your Part B premium. In exchange, your out-of-pocket costs when you get care are generally lower and more predictable.
Supplement or Advantage? You cannot have both at the same time — a Supplement plan works with Original Medicare only, and a Medicare Advantage plan replaces Original Medicare. Which path fits better depends on your doctors, your prescriptions, how much you travel, and how you prefer your costs to work. We can walk through both paths with you and help you compare them honestly.
Common questions
Can an insurer refuse to sell me a Supplement plan?
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, generally no — insurers cannot refuse you or charge more because of health problems. Outside that window, the rules depend on your situation and your state, and medical underwriting may apply. If you are past that window, call us and we will go over what your options look like.
Does a Supplement plan cover dental, vision, or hearing?
Generally, no. Supplement plans are designed to help with the costs Original Medicare leaves behind, not to add benefits Original Medicare does not cover. Separate dental, vision, and hearing coverage is available — see our Other Coverage page.
What happens if I move to another state?
Supplement plans are generally portable — your coverage travels with you, and you can usually see any provider that accepts Medicare anywhere in the country. Tell us if a move is coming up and we will check whether anything about your plan needs attention.
Want to see if a Supplement plan fits?
Call us and we will explain the options in plain English — no obligation, no pressure.