Helping You Fill Gaps In Your Medicare Health Insurance Coverage

Medicare supplement insurance may help lower your out-of-pocket costs, especially for copays and deductibles, that aren’t covered by Medicare Part A or B.

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Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)

Medicare, the federal health insurance program that primarily covers seniors and certain young Americans under age 65 with disabilities, is fairly widespread. The program is split into several parts, and beneficiaries typically pay a monthly premium for health coverage based on their income.

However, Medicare plans don't cover everything, so plan holders may encounter out-of-pocket costs. This is why some people enrolled in these plans choose to purchase Medicare supplement insurance, also known as Medigap coverage.

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What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare supplement insurance — also referred to as a Medigap policy because it is used to fill in the gaps in your Medicare — is private health insurance designed to supplement Medicare. It helps pay your health care costs that Medicare does not pay, including copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

Why Do I Need Medicare Supplement Insurance?

The majority of people on Medicare are over age 65, and many within this group are retirees who likely live on a fixed income. Health care costs in retirement can be significant. Medigap coverage — as its name implies — fills coverage gaps from Original Medicare.

If you're approaching age 65 and are concerned about how you'll cover your health care costs later in life or during retirement, a Medigap policy could supplement your Medicare coverage. Though monthly premiums for Medigap policies can vary, shouldering this regular cost may help you avoid higher medical bills in the future. This could reduce your out-of-pocket costs to a figure that's much more affordable in the long term.

Not everyone chooses to get this coverage. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, 19.9% of Medicare beneficiaries have a Medigap plan, while about 44.4% have a Medicare Advantage plan, in which the federal government pays a private company to cover Medicare benefits.

If you are considering a Medigap plan, you could enroll during the open enrollment period. This begins when you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. Open enrollment lasts for six months, so you'll have some time to research plans and select one that aligns with the coverage you need at a price you can afford.

How Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Work & Which Plan Is Right For Me?

There are many standardized Medicare supplement insurance plans (of which Western & Southern offers six through one of our strategic partners). These various policies help you lower your out-of-pocket expenses and get more health insurance coverage. Medicare supplement insurance plans are neither connected with nor endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.

With these partnerships, we can offer Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans A, B, F, F* (high deductible), G and N. According to Medicare.gov, Medigap coverage is only available to Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare parts A and B, which provide hospital insurance and medical insurance, respectively. Medicare parts A and B are considered Original Medicare. Medicare Part A covers hospital care, home health services, nursing home and hospice care. Medicare Part B covers preventive care and medically necessary care, such as inpatient or outpatient visits to treat a medical condition. Here's a quick summary of your options:

Plan A

Plan A covers your Medicare Part A coinsurance or copayment, your Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment, needed blood (first three pints) and your Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.

Plan B

Plan B includes all the coverages in Plan A and also covers your Medicare Part A deductible.

Plan F & F*

Plan F and Plan F* (high deductible) includes all the coverages in Plan C and also covers your Medicare Part B excess charges.

Plan G

Plan G includes all the coverages in Plan F except your Medicare Part B deductible.

Plan N

Plan N includes coverages in Plan G except for Part B Excess.

Let's Get Started

Let's discuss your unique situation and discover if Medicare supplement insurance is the right choice for you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan?

Here's some information on when you can change from one Medicare supplement plan to another.

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Do I Need Supplemental Insurance if I Have Medicare?

Private insurance may help to cover the extra Medicare costs you could face in retirement. Knowing your options can help.

Senior couple knowledgeable about the difference medicare and medicaid

Medicare vs. Medicaid: How Covered Am I?

Medicare and Medicaid are different programs serving different purposes. Understanding them in the context of retirement planning is crucial.

Why Western & Southern?

When you reach age 65, figuring out what kind of Medicare Supplement Insurance you need can be challenging. With our reputation as one of the strongest life insurance groups, Western & Southern has the financial professionals who can help lower your out-of-pocket expenses and find the additional health insurance coverage that’s right for you.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

Western & Southern Agency, Inc. is a member of Western & Southern Financial Group (Western & Southern). Some products available are issued by third party insurance companies, which are not affiliated with any Western & Southern member company. Western & Southern Agency, Inc. is the distributor. A contract's financial guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. In the State of California, Western & Southern Agency, Inc. is known as and does business as Western-Southern Insurance Agency.