Medicare learning center
Medicare Supplement (Medigap)
Extra insurance that works alongside Original Medicare.
What does it do?
A private insurance company sells Medigap. Depending on the policy, it helps pay some deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left by Original Medicare.
Medigap and Medicare Advantage are different.
Medigap works with Original Medicare. It does not pay Medicare Advantage copayments.
What should I know?
- You generally need Parts A and B.
- You pay a separate Medigap premium, in addition to your Part B premium.
- Plans use letters, such as G and N. In Florida, the same plan letter has the same standardized benefits across insurers, but premiums can differ.
- Medigap sold today does not include prescription drug coverage. You may need a separate Part D plan.
- It generally does not cover routine dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term custodial care.
When can I buy it?
Your one-time six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this period, an insurer cannot deny coverage because of health problems.
Afterward, health questions, higher costs, or denial may apply unless you have protected purchase rights. State rules may provide additional rights.
The fall Medicare enrollment season does not restart this Medigap window.
Check your rights before dropping coverage or switching from Medicare Advantage.