Medicare Supplement Insurance: Medigap

How does Medigap work?

Original Medicare pays for much, but not all, of the cost for covered health care services and supplies. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) policies sold by private companies, can help pay some of the remaining health care costs for covered services and supplies, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. Generally, Medigap doesn't cover long-term care (like care in a nursing home), vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.

Medigap plans are standardized

Medigap must follow federal and state laws designed to protect you, and they must be clearly identified as "Medicare Supplement Insurance." Insurance companies can sell you only a "standardized" plan, identified in most states as plans A - D, F, G, and K - N. All plans offer the same basic benefits, but some offer additional benefits so you can choose which one meets your needs. In Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, Medigap plans are standardized in a different way.

Medigap sold to people who are new to Medicare aren't allowed to cover the Part B deductible. Because of this, Plans C and F aren't available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you already have or were covered by Plan C or F (or the Plan F high deductible version) before January 1, 2020, you can keep your plan.

If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but not yet enrolled, you may be able to buy one of these policies.

How do I compare Medigap plans?

The chart below shows basic information about the different benefits that Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans cover for 2024. If a percentage appears, the Medigap plan covers that percentage of the benefit, and you're responsible for the rest. Out-of-pocket costs (like deductibles) might change for 2025.