Medigap

Medigap (also called Medicare Supplement Insurance) is a type of private health insurance that is designed to supplement Medicare in the United States. Medigap insurance provides coverage for many of the co-pays and some of the co-insurance related to Medicare-covered hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health care, ambulance, durable medical equipment, and doctor charges.

Overview

Medigap's name is derived from the notion that it exists to cover the gap or gaps in the coverage benefits that are left uncovered by the original Medicare Parts A and B. There are 10 different Medigap plans, each represented by a letter (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). The coverage provided by each plan is different, but all plans must cover at least a portion of the following basic benefits: hospital coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles; the first three pints of blood needed in a medical procedure; and hospice care coinsurance or copayment.

Eligibility

To be eligible to enroll in a Medigap plan, one must be enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. A person may obtain a policy on a guaranteed issue basis during a six-month open enrollment period when they turn 65. No medical exam is required if one enrolls during this period.

Plans

There are 10 different Medigap plans, each represented by a letter (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). The coverage provided by each plan is different, but all plans must cover at least a portion of the following basic benefits: hospital coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles; the first three pints of blood needed in a medical procedure; and hospice care coinsurance or copayment.

See also

• Medicare (United States)
• Health insurance in the United States
• Healthcare in the United States