Medicare Supplement

At AccuQuote, we believe health coverage in retirement shouldn’t be confusing or leave you exposed to unexpected costs. That’s why we’ve made it our mission to help you understand Medicare Supplement Insurance — also known as Medigap — so you can make confident, informed choices about your healthcare.

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How Much Will Medicare Actually Cover?

Medicare Parts A and B cover many healthcare expenses, but not all. You’re still responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, plus services that Medicare doesn’t cover. Without additional coverage, you could pay thousands out of pocket each year.

How Medigap Works

If you have Medicare Parts A and B, you can purchase a Medigap policy. Medicare pays its share first, and your Medigap plan helps cover the rest.

There are 10 standardized Medigap plans (A through N), each offering different coverage levels. Plans are consistent across companies, but premiums may vary, so it’s important to compare rates.

Who Needs Medigap?

You may be eligible if:

You’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
You’re under 65 and have a qualifying disability

Nearly 90% of Medicare beneficiaries eventually choose supplemental coverage to reduce out-of-pocket costs.

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance

The ideal time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, commonly known as Medigap, is during your six-month open enrollment period. This enrollment window begins the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurance companies must offer you any Medigap policy they sell, with guaranteed issue rights, meaning you cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums due to current or past health conditions. This allows you to choose from a full range of plans at the most affordable rates available, without the need for medical underwriting or worrying about eligibility.

Once this open enrollment period ends, however, those protections no longer apply. If you decide to apply for Medigap later, insurers can require a medical review, charge significantly higher premiums, or even decline your application based on your health status. That’s why it’s crucial to act during this six-month window if you want the best access, lowest costs, and fewer complications down the road. Planning ahead during this time can provide lasting financial security and ensure you have coverage that helps pay for expenses Medicare doesn’t cover — like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Let AccuQuote Help You Choose the Right Plan

Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan can be confusing—but you don’t have to do it alone. At AccuQuote, our licensed agents make it simple to:

Compare Medicare Supplement plans
Understand your options
Find the best coverage at the lowest cost

Request a free quote today and let us help you protect your health and your finances.

Medicare Supplement: FAQs

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?

Medicare Supplement Insurance is private health insurance that helps pay out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This includes copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medigap helps reduce or eliminate surprise medical bills for seniors.

How does Medigap work with Medicare?

Medicare pays its share of approved healthcare costs first. Then your Medigap policy pays the remaining Medicare-approved amounts, depending on your plan. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to enroll in Medigap.

What expenses does Medigap cover?

Depending on the plan, Medigap may cover:

Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
Medicare Part B coinsurance/copayments
Blood (first 3 pints)
Hospice care coinsurance
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A deductible
Foreign travel emergency care

Coverage varies by plan letter.

Who is eligible to buy Medigap?

You are eligible if:

You are 65 or older (in most states)
You are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B
You apply during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or qualify for guaranteed issue rights

Some states also allow certain individuals under 65 to enroll.

When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement plan?

The best time is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this time, insurers cannot deny coverage, charge more due to health conditions, or require medical underwriting.

What is medical underwriting and why does it matter?

Medical underwriting is when insurers review your health history to decide:

Whether to accept your application
How much to charge
Whether to impose waiting periods

Outside of guaranteed-issue windows, you may be denied or charged more.

Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?

No. Prescription drug coverage is not included in Medigap plans. You must enroll separately in Medicare Part D to receive drug coverage.

What’s the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage?

Medigap supplements Original Medicare and lets you visit any provider that accepts Medicare.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare and often restricts you to specific provider networks.
Medigap has predictable out-of-pocket costs; Medicare Advantage may have lower premiums but higher copays.

You cannot have both at the same time.