Evergreen Life & Health

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance

Original Medicare pays a share of your covered health care costs, and you pay the rest. Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, is sold by private companies and can help pay some of what Original Medicare leaves behind, such as deductibles and coinsurance.

How it works

• You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy.
• Medicare pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount first. Your Medigap policy then pays its share, according to the plan you chose.
• A Medigap policy supplements Original Medicare. It is different from a Medicare Advantage plan, which is another way to receive your Medicare benefits. You cannot use both together.
• Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage. Drug coverage is a separate Part D plan.

The lettered plans

Federal rules standardize Medigap plans and label them with letters. A plan with a given letter covers the same basic benefits no matter which company sells it; companies can differ on price, service and how they set rates. Plan availability depends on when you became eligible for Medicare.

When you can enroll

• Your Medigap open enrollment period lasts six months and starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, you generally cannot be turned down or charged more because of your health.
• Outside that period, and in some situations if you are switching from a Medicare Advantage plan, the company may ask health questions (underwriting may apply). Some situations give you special guaranteed rights.

Questions people ask

• Do I still need my Medicare card? Yes. You keep Original Medicare and use both cards.
• Can I see any doctor? You can generally see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
• Does the price change? Companies set rates in different ways, and premiums can change over time. We explain how each one is set.

This is a solicitation of insurance. Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.