Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you can buy from a private company that helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare.
- You need both Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy.
- Some Medigap policies offer coverage when you travel outside the U.S.
- Generally, Medigap policies don’t cover long-term care (like care in a nursing home), vision, dental, hearing aids, private-duty nursing, or prescription drugs.
- If you’re under 65, you might not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or you may have to pay more. You may re-apply when turning 65 for a better rate.
Medigap policies are standardized, and in most states named by letters, like Plan G or Plan N. The benefits in each lettered plan are the same, no matter which insurance company sells it. Price is the ONLY difference between policies with the same letter sold by different companies. Get the lowest price.
If you don’t buy a Medigap policy within 6 months of when you first get both Part A and Part B, you may not be able to buy a policy or you may pay more. Ask about household discounts for spouses.
There is no annual enrollment period for Medigaps. You are free to comparison shop and purchase from a different company at any time. Do not cancel your old policy until the new policy first premium payment has cleared at your bank and you have your new card in hand!
Contact your local MMAP office for no-pressure free basic pricing and coverage comparisons for Medigaps. Call 1-800-803-7174.
