Alabama Health Guidance
MEDICARE

A Medicare Supplement, also known as Medigap, is a type of insurance plan offered by private insurance companies that can help pay for some of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn’t cover. These costs can include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, as well as some healthcare services that Medicare doesn’t cover, such as medical care when traveling outside of the United States.

 

There are ten standardized Medicare Supplement plans, labeled with letters A through N. Each plan offers a different combination of benefits, but all plans with the same letter must provide the same benefits. For example, if you enroll in a Plan F with one insurance company, it will have the same benefits as a Plan F with another insurance company. However, the cost of the plan can vary depending on the insurance company and where you live.

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A Medicare supplement pays AFTER Original Medicare pays its share of the covered healthcare services. These plans are deigned to fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare. It’s important to note that Medicare Supplement plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you want prescription drug coverage, you will need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, which is a separate insurance plan that covers prescription drugs. Additionally, Medicare Supplement plans may not cover all healthcare services, such as vision or dental, so you may want to consider additional insurance plans to cover those services.