Question 1

Can I see any doctor with a Medicare Supplement plan?

Accepted Answer

Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare, so you can generally use any provider in the United States that accepts Medicare assignment. There is no network and referrals are not required by the Medigap plan itself.

Question 2

Does Medicare cover dental, vision, or hearing?

Accepted Answer

Original Medicare does not routinely cover most dental care, routine eye exams for glasses, or hearing aids. Medigap plans follow what Medicare covers, so those services are generally not covered either. Standalone products exist for these needs.

Question 3

What is Plan G?

Accepted Answer

Plan G is a standardized Medicare Supplement plan that pays most Medicare-approved out-of-pocket costs after you satisfy the annual Part B deductible, including the roughly 20% Part B coinsurance.

Question 4

What is Plan N?

Accepted Answer

Plan N covers many of the same standardized benefits as Plan G, but includes small copayments for certain office and emergency visits and does not cover Part B excess charges.

Question 5

Do all Plan G policies have the same benefits?

Accepted Answer

In most states Medigap benefits are standardized by letter, so the benefit set of Plan G is the same from carrier to carrier. Premiums, rate increase history, underwriting rules, and extra perks are set by each carrier and can differ significantly. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.

Question 6

Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans later?

Accepted Answer

You may apply to switch at any time of year. Outside of your open enrollment period or a guaranteed issue situation, a carrier may ask health questions and use medical underwriting to decide whether to approve your application.

Question 7

When is my Medigap Open Enrollment Period?

Accepted Answer

It is the six-month window that begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that window you can generally buy any Medigap policy sold in your state without health underwriting.

Question 8

Why do premiums differ between carriers for the same plan letter?

Accepted Answer

Carriers set their own pricing method (attained age, issue age, or community rated), household discounts, and rate increase history. The standardized benefits are identical, but the premium and the long-term rate behavior are not.

Question 9

Is anything covered at 100%?

Accepted Answer

Original Medicare does not cover everything at 100%. Deductibles, coinsurance, and non-covered services remain your responsibility unless another form of coverage, such as a Medigap plan, helps pay those eligible costs.

Question 10

Am I covered when I travel?

Accepted Answer

Original Medicare provides very limited coverage outside the United States. Several Medigap plans include a foreign travel emergency benefit, subject to a deductible, a coinsurance percentage, and a lifetime maximum.

Question 11

Do I still need Part D with a Medigap plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Medicare Supplement plans sold today do not include prescription drug coverage. Part D is a separate decision, and delaying it without other creditable coverage can create a late enrollment penalty.

Question 12

What is the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage?

Accepted Answer

Medigap works with Original Medicare and helps pay its out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage replaces how you receive Part A and Part B benefits through a private plan, usually with networks and plan-set copays. You cannot use a Medigap policy to pay Medicare Advantage cost sharing.

Frequently asked questions