Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance, sold by private insurance companies, helps pay some of the out-of-pocket healthcare costs that Original Medicare (Parts A & B) don’t pay. The plans, categorized by letters A-N, are standardized meaning they include the same basic benefits regardless of where you buy them.

Note: Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin offer different standardized plan options.

There are 10 standard Medigap Plans sold nationwide except in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Twelve if you count the two high-deductible versions. Each of these plans offer between 4 and 9 standard benefits. Although, three of those plans (Plan C, Plan F and High-Deductible Plan F) are no longer available to new enrollees.

No. In most cases, Medicare Supplement Insurance does not cover prescription drugs unless they are administered in a hospital or doctor’s office. You can purchase a stand-alone Part D Prescription Drug Plan with your Medigap Plan to help cover the cost of prescriptions. You can also purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan instead of a Medigap Plan.

No. I most cases, Medicare Supplement Insurance does not cover vision and dental services. You can purchase stand-alone vision and dental plans with your Medigap Plan to help cover the costs of vision and dental services. You can also purchase a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers vision and dental coverage instead of a Medigap Plan.

You can apply for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan at any time, but the best time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This period lasts for 6 months and begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and/or are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this time:

• You will not have to submit your application for medical underwriting.
• Insurance companies cannot refuse to sell you a Medicare Supplement policy it offers.
• Health issues cannot affect the premiums charged by the insurance company.
• You don’t have to wait for coverage to start.

Note: In some cases, the insurance company can delay your coverage for pre-existing conditions for up to 6 months. This is called a “pre-existing condition waiting period”. Learn more here.

If you apply for a Medicare Supplement policy outside of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or another guaranteed issue period, you may be denied coverage or charged more based on your health history. ⁱⁱ

Since Medicare Supplement Plans are regulated by the government, insurance companies must offer standardized plans that include certain basic benefits. For example, one company’s Plan G is the same as another company’s Plan G. However, differences may include any added benefits, like vision, dental or hearing coverage, that an insurance company may provide as well as the cost of the plan.

Each insurance company decides which Medigap policies it wants to sell, although state laws might affect which ones they must offer.

Insurance companies that sell Medigap policies:

• Don’t have to offer every Medigap Plan
• Must offer Medigap Plan A and Plan C or Plan F* if they offer any Medigap policy

Note: Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin offer different standardized plan options.
* If you are eligible and were eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020

Since you can get the same Medicare Supplement Plan from multiple companies, the best way to save money is to shop around. An insurance agency or brokerage makes shopping around for Medigap Plans easy. They’re usually contracted with a variety of insurance companies in your area so you can compare your options with just one quote. They’ll also know if you qualify for household discounts or any other opportunities to save money on your Medigap premiums.

No. You can purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan in addition to your Medicare Parts A & B coverage. Medicare Advantage Plans, or Medicare Part C, provides standalone coverage that combines Part A & B benefits (and sometimes Part D) into one plan. Both plan types are offered by private insurance companies. However, you cannot have Medicare Supplement Insurance at the same time as Medicare Advantage insurance.

No. A Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan works with Original Medicare and may help pay for certain costs the Original Medicare doesn’t cover. That means, you get to keep your Part A & B benefits and your Medicare-approved doctor as well as receive additional coverage benefits.

Medicare Supplement Plans can range from $50 to over $300 in monthly premiums. The cost is determined by the insurance carrier and is influenced by several factors like your location, age, gender and whether you use tobacco products.

You can get the same Medigap Plan from a variety of insurance companies. Premiums may vary depending on the company. If you want to get the best deal, it’s important to shop around. You can compare rates right here on ensurem.com or with one of our licensed insurance agents.