Plans
Medigap
Quick answer
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.
Plain-English definition
Medigap plans are standardized by letter (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). The same lettered plan offers the same core benefits across companies — only price, service, and stability differ.
Why it matters
Medigap turns Original Medicare into near-comprehensive coverage with predictable costs and no networks.
A simple example
Plan G pays your Part B 20% coinsurance after you meet the Part B deductible.
Common mistakes & misconceptions
- Enrolling outside your Medigap Open Enrollment window and being denied for pre-existing conditions.
- Confusing Medigap with Medicare Advantage — they are alternatives, not add-ons.
Related terms
Medicare Supplement
Medicare Supplement is another name for Medigap — a standardized private policy that pays some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs.
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.
Guaranteed Issue
Guaranteed issue is your right to buy certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting, so insurers can't deny you or charge more due to pre-existing conditions.
Trial Right
A Trial Right is a special protection that lets certain first-time Medicare Advantage enrollees return to Original Medicare within 12 months and buy a Medigap policy on a guaranteed-issue basis.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage?+
No. You must choose one path — Original Medicare + Medigap OR a Medicare Advantage plan.
People also ask
Is Plan G or Plan N better?
Plan G has the most predictable costs; Plan N is cheaper but has copays for office and ER visits.
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.