By law, companies can only offer 10 standardized Medigap policies known as A-N. The plans are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. The plans previously labeled E, H, I, and J are no longer sold. An insurance company does not have to carry all ten plans. Some may only carry a few, while others may offer all ten.

You only need one policy. Each policy builds on the previous one. Plan D includes all the coverage options offered by A, B, and C, plus additional options under Plan D. Plan E, provides everything Plan D does, plus additional coverage, and so on. It is illegal for an insurance company to sell you more than one plan.

Medicare Supplements are not part of Medicare or any other federal insurance program. They are policies sold by private insurance companies. It is illegal for an insurance agent to make such claims.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan, it is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a Medigap unless the coverage on the Medicare Advantage plan will run out before the coverage on the Medigap will begin.

No. A Medigap supplements your Original Medicare coverage. Medicare pays its normal share of healthcare costs, and then the Medigap coverage kicks in and pays its share.

Some Medigap policies sold in the past cover prescription drugs, but Medigap policies sold after January 1, 2006 aren’t allowed to include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Part D plan.

Any standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable, even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company cannot cancel your Medigap policy as long as you pay the premium.

The Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period begins on the first day of the month that you are enrolled in Medicare Part B. It lasts for 6 months. In order to join a Medicare supplement insurance plan you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.

There is no health screening during this period, so you cannot be denied coverage if you enroll during this time. You can still apply for a supplement plan after this time, but based on your current health condition and risks, you may be denied coverage or charged a higher premium.

In other words, an individual with a pre-existing health condition who enrolls in a supplement plan during this Open Enrollment Period, will be paying the same premiums as a perfectly healthy individual.

No. A Medicare Supplemental policy only provides coverage for you. It does not cover anyone else in your family. If your spouse wishes to have the same or similar coverage, they will need to obtain their own Medigap policy.

Unfortunately, no. Medigap policies generally do not cover long-term care. They also lack coverage for vision care, dental care, hearing aids, glasses, and private-duty nursing.

Medigap plans are identical no matter which insurance provider you choose. Purchasing Medicare Supplement Plan F from United Health Care is going to give you the exact same coverage as purchasing Medicare Supplement Plan F from Mutual of Omaha.

The difference between carriers is going to be in cost and the customer service they provide. Your coverage will not vary.