Additional Medicare Coverage 

Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, doesn't cover everything. You might want to join an additional plan in order to boost your coverage umbrella. A brief overview of some of your options follows.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement Plans, also called Medigap policies, can enhance your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage.

For example, a Medigap plan may cover your Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles, copayments, and coinsurances, reducing your out-of-pocket payments. Some of these plans may also offer coverage while you are traveling outside of the U.S.

These plans are standardized. Each of them has a letter designation (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M,  and N), meaning that coverage details are the same regardless of your state (with the exceptions of Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin these states have their own versions of Medigap).

Plan details do not change (Plan F coverage is the same in Connecticut as it is in Oregon, for example) but because they are sold by private insurance companies, the prices can vary. Medigap coverage is completely optional, meaning that Medicare does not pay for any part of this coverage.

If you enroll in a Medigap plan:

You still need to keep your Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) coverage.

You don't need a Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plan. The two plan types don't work together.

  Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)

If you get coverage through Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, you might want to sign up for a Medicare Part D plan. Original Medicare doesn't offer much prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D plans generally cover medically necessary prescriptions. Like Medigap, these plans are sold through private insurance companies. Unlike Medigap, plan details can vary from company to company. We recommend that you explore all plan options in your area when shopping for additional Medicare insurance. You can use our plan comparison tool for this purpose.

Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C)

You may choose to receive all of your Medicare coverage through one plan. Medicare Advantage, or Medicare Part C, is a private plan variation of Original Medicare. These plans are legally required to offer the same coverage as Original Medicare, Part A and Part B (except for hospice care), but may include other benefits like routine vision, hearing, dental, and/or prescription drug coverage. If you enroll in Medicare Advantage, you don't have to drop your Medigap policy (if you have one), but it will not provide any coverage whatsoever while you have a Part C plan. The two plan types don't work together.

Joining a Medicare Advantage plan means that you will receive all of your health benefits through that plan, but you will also continue paying your Part B premium.

Group health plans

If you receive health benefits through a group health plan either through you or through your spouse's current employer then speak with that plan's benefit administrator about whether you need additional coverage.

Additional Medicare Coverage