Medicare Supplement
Medigap: fewer surprises, higher premium
A Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare and picks up much of what Part A and Part B leave for you to pay.
How it works
Original Medicare covers a great deal but not all of it. There are deductibles, and Part B generally leaves you responsible for a share of the cost with no annual cap. A Supplement is designed to absorb those gaps.
Medigap plans are standardized by letter, so a Plan G from one carrier covers the same things as a Plan G from another. (Massachusetts is the exception in our area: it uses its own Core and Supplement 1A plans instead of letters.) What differs is the premium, the carrier’s rate history and their service — which is precisely where a broker earns their keep.
You’ll also need a standalone Part D plan for prescriptions, since Supplements don’t include drug coverage.
Why people choose it
- Any provider in the country who accepts Medicare
- No networks and no referrals
- Very predictable costs at the point of care
- Coverage travels with you if you move or spend winters away
- No prior authorization for covered services
The trade-off, stated plainly
A Supplement costs more every month, and that premium generally rises as you age. In a healthy year you will spend more than someone on an Advantage plan.
What you’re buying is the absence of surprise. For people who value that — or who have conditions that make heavy medical use likely — it is often the better economic choice over a full retirement, not just in a single year.
The other consideration is timing. During your initial Medigap open enrollment, carriers generally cannot decline you or price you higher for your health history. Later, they often can.
Common questions
Which plan letter should I choose?
It depends on what you want to cover and what you’re willing to pay. We’ll go through the differences against your situation rather than pointing you at the most popular one.
Do premiums go up?
Generally yes, with age and with the carrier’s overall rate adjustments. Rate history varies between carriers, which is worth weighing when you choose.
Can I switch to a Supplement later?
Sometimes, but you may have to answer health questions and you can be declined. That’s why the initial window matters so much.
Does it cover prescriptions?
No. You’ll add a standalone Part D plan, which we’ll match to your medication list.
Compare Supplements against Advantage
Side by side, with your own numbers rather than an illustration.