Plans
Medicare Supplement
Quick answer
Medicare Supplement is another name for Medigap — a standardized private policy that pays some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs.
Plain-English definition
Insurance companies and CMS use the terms 'Medigap' and 'Medicare Supplement' interchangeably.
Why it matters
You'll see both names in brochures. They mean the same thing.
A simple example
A 'Medicare Supplement Plan G' is the same as 'Medigap Plan G.'
Common mistakes & misconceptions
Related terms
Medigap
Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement insurance — is a private policy that pays some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like the Part B 20% coinsurance and Part A hospital deductible.
Original Medicare
Original Medicare is the traditional fee-for-service program run directly by the federal government. It includes Part A (hospital) and Part B (medical) and lets you use any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Medigap and Medicare Supplement the same?+
Yes.
Sources & references
📚 Where this information comes from
- Medicare.gov — official U.S. government site for people with Medicare ↗Primary source for benefits, enrollment periods, and plan comparison.
- CMS.gov — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ↗Federal rulemaking, program updates, and official guidance.
- Social Security Administration — Medicare enrollment & premiums ↗Enrollment, premium withholding, and IRMAA determinations.
When you're ready, compare plans on your own terms
See Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, or walk the course with a licensed agent whenever you'd like a second set of eyes.
We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.
Medicare Caddies is an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). We help compare Medicare Advantage plans from the insurance companies we represent, and we don't offer every plan available in your area.