With a Medigap plan, you can enjoy greater financial security and more predictable healthcare costs.
What Medicare Supplements Cover
Original Medicare covers a lot, but it doesn't cover everything. Medicare Supplement plans help pay for the "gaps" in coverage, including:
- Part A deductible and coinsurance (hospital costs)
- Part B coinsurance and copayments (doctor visits, outpatient services)
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- First three pints of blood needed for a medical procedure
- Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)
Standardized Medicare Supplement Plans
Every Medigap policy is standardized by the federal government. Plan G from one company offers the same benefits as Plan G from another — only the price and customer service differ.
| Medigap Plan | Key Benefits | Ideal For |
|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Covers everything except the Part B deductible | Most comprehensive coverage available for new enrollees |
| Plan N | Lower premiums, small copays for office visits and ER visits | Those willing to trade small out-of-pocket costs for savings |
| Plan A | Basic benefits, no Part A deductible coverage | People wanting minimum supplement coverage |
| Plan F | Covers all Medicare-approved costs | Only available to those eligible before January 1, 2020 |
Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage: What's the Difference?
| Feature | Medicare Supplement (Medigap) | Medicare Advantage (Part C) |
|---|---|---|
| Provider Choice | See any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide | Use network providers (HMOs, PPOs) |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs | Minimal after premium and deductible | May have copays, coinsurance, and out-of-pocket maximums |
| Prescription Drugs | Separate Part D plan needed | Often included in Advantage plans |
| Extra Benefits | Limited | May include dental, vision, hearing, fitness |
| Travel Coverage | Foreign travel emergency coverage (some plans) | Emergency care usually in U.S. only |
How Much Does a Medicare Supplement Cost?
Medigap premiums vary based on:
- Your age (attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated pricing models)
- Location (costs are generally higher in some states)
- The plan letter you choose
- Tobacco use and, outside your open enrollment window, medical underwriting
Because benefits are identical between carriers for the same plan letter, shopping on price and service is the single easiest way to save money on Medigap.
How Everstone Insurance Services Can Help
We quote every Medigap carrier available to you side by side, so you can see exactly what the same Plan G costs from each company — and review it again each year as rates change.