Medicare Supplements
Medicare Supplement insurance, commonly referred to as “Medigap,” is a private form of medical insurance that covers the gaps left by Medicare. You can buy a Medigap policy to pay for Original Medicare deductibles, co-payments, co-insurance, and other costs.
There are 9 different types of expenses that Medicare Supplement insurance policies can cover. Each standardized Medigap plan option has a different combination of benefits. Plan F is the only plan that covers all 9 types of expenses.
All Medigap plan options cover the following 4 Medicare costs:
Some plan options cover some or all of the following 5 Medicare costs:
Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get Medicare benefits while also getting extra coverage not provided through Original Medicare.
You cannot have a Medicare Supplement policy and a Medicare Advantage policy at the same time.
Medicare pays a fixed amount for your care each month to the companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans. These companies must follow rules set by Medicare.
However, each Medicare Advantage Plan can charge different out-of-pocket costs and have different rules for how you get services (like whether you need a referral to see a specialist or if you have to go to only doctors, facilities, or suppliers that belong to the plan for non-emergency or non-urgent care). These rules can change each year.
You usually get prescription drug coverage (Part D) through the plan. In some types of plans that don't offer drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
You can't have prescription drug coverage through both a Medicare Advantage Plan and a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.
If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan that includes drug coverage and you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you'll be disenrolled from your Medicare Advantage Plan and returned to Original Medicare.
Your out-of-pocket costs in a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) depend on:
Part D Plans
Payments throughout the year in a Medicare drug plan:
Your actual drug plan costs will vary depending on: