Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance, is sold by private companies, it can help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then your Medigap policy pays its share.

A Medigap policy is different from a Medicare Advantage Plan. Medigap policy’s only supplement your Original Medicare benefits. If the carrier includes dental and vision it is at a “discount”, it is not insurance. Where a Medicare Advantage Plan covers all Medicare benefits and adds additional insurance items like preventative dental, some vision & hearing etc…both may include a gym membership.

Medigap policies don't cover everything

Medigap policies do not cover long-term care, non-medical vision and dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.

Insurance plans that aren't Medigap

Types of Non-Medigap plans, include:

• Medicare Advantage Plans (like an HMO, PPO, or Private Fee-for-Service Plan)
• Medicare Prescription Drug Plans
• Medicaid
• Employer or union plans, including the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP)
• TRICARE
• Veterans' benefits
• Long-term care insurance policies
• Indian Health Service, Tribal, and Urban Indian Health plans