A Medigap plan, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is extra insurance that you can buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare. To buy a Medigap policy, you must have Original Medicare, both Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) . Medigap policies help cover out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The benefits of Medigap plans are different in each plan, and you can buy the one that meets your needs. Not all plans are offered in every state. Some Medigap policies also cover services that Original Medicare doesnt cover, like emergency medical care when you travel outside the U.S. (foreign travel emergency care) . However, Medigap plans generally don’t cover long-term care (like in a nursing home), vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing. If you want prescription drug coverage, you can enroll in a separate Medicare drug plan (Part D) . Medigap plans sold after 2005 don’t include prescription drug coverage.

When you buy a Medigap policy, you must pay a premium to the Medigap insurance company in addition to the monthly Medicare Part B premium. As long as you pay your premium, your Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable, meaning it is automatically renewed each year, and your coverage will continue year after year. You are guaranteed the right to buy a Medigap policy under certain circumstances. If you want to learn more about Medigap policies, you can call 1-800-633-4227 and ask for a free copy of the publication “Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People With Medicare” . You may also call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and your State Insurance Department.

It is important to note that a Medigap plan is different from a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. MA plans are a way to get Medicare benefits, while a Medigap only supplements your Original Medicare benefits. Medigap plans have higher premiums but fewer out-of-pocket costs, while MA plans have lower premiums but more out-of-pocket costs. Medigap plans work in any state, while MA plans work only in your state, by region.