Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans, Explained
Here's how I explain Medicare Supplement plans to clients: they work alongside Original Medicare to help cover the costs it leaves behind — deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Whether that's the right fit for you depends on your situation, and that's exactly what we can talk through.
Schedule Your Free ReviewHow It's Different From Medicare Advantage
Works Alongside Original Medicare
Rather than replacing Parts A & B, a Supplement plan pays after Medicare does, covering the gaps.
See Any Doctor Who Accepts Medicare
Supplement plans generally aren't tied to a network, unlike Medicare Advantage plans.
Predictable Costs
Many people choose a Supplement plan for the more predictable out-of-pocket costs, especially if they see doctors often.
Separate Drug Coverage Needed
Supplement plans don't include drug coverage, so you'd pair one with a standalone Part D plan.
Is a Supplement Plan Right for You?
Medicare Supplement plans tend to make sense for people who want the flexibility to see any doctor without worrying about networks, and who'd rather pay a steadier monthly premium than face unpredictable costs later. They're not the right fit for everyone — it depends on your health, your budget, and how you use care.
How IRMAA Can Affect Your Premium
Regardless of whether you have a Supplement plan or Medicare Advantage, your Part B premium can be raised by IRMAA if your income is above certain thresholds — it's not tied to which plan you pick, and it's not something you choose. Worth knowing about as part of your overall Medicare costs.
See the Medicare Guide for how Supplement plans fit alongside Parts A, B, and D.
Not Sure Which Fits You Better?
We can go through Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement side by side and see what makes sense for your situation.
Schedule Your Free Review