Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance, are private insurance policies that supplement Original Medicare by covering costs that Medicare does not such as copays, deductibles, and healthcare costs when traveling abroad. To be eligible for a Medigap plan, you must have Medicare Part A and Part B. Medigap plans are purchased separately from a private insurance company for a monthly premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premium. The plans are guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems as long as you pay the premium. Some Medigap plans cover prescription drugs but plans sold after 2006 do not include prescription drug coverage.

1. 8 Things to Know About
Medigap Policies

2. Medigap Plans: What are they?
Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance, are the various standardized health
insurance plans sold to those who are already on Original Medicare in order to supplement the plans
they have. It’s basically extra health insurance you buy from a private company to help pay some of
the health care costs Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like co-payments, deductibles, and health care
when traveling outside the United States. Medigap supplemental insurance plans cover the “gap” (also
known as your out-of-pocket expenses) when it comes to health care costs.
When 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.

3. 1. You must have Medicare Part A
and Part B.
In order to be eligible for a Medigap supplemental plan, you must have Medicare Part A (hospital
insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).

4. 2. If you have a Medicare Advantage
Plan, you can apply for a Medigap
Policy.
But make sure you can leave the Medicare Advantage Plan before your
Medigap policy begins.

5. 3. You pay the private insurance
company a monthly premium.
This monthly premium is for your Medigap policy. It is in addition to the monthly Part B premium that
you pay to Medicare. Although Medigap helps cover your out-of-pocket expenses, the Medigap plan
itself is not free.

6. 4. A Medigap policy only covers one
person.
If you and your spouse both want Medigap coverage, you'll each have to buy
separate policies.

7. 5. You can buy it from any insurance
company.
You can buy a Medigap policy from any insurance company. Just make sure that it’s reputable and
licensed in your state to sell one. Remember that it’s also important to do a Medigap plans comparison
when it comes to the costs of Medigap plans. Different insurance companies might charge different
premiums for the same exact plan. When you look for a plan to buy, make sure you’re comparing the
same plan and not accidentally comparing different plans.

8. 6. The policy
is guaranteed
renewable.
Any standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable even if you have
health problems. This means the insurance company can't cancel your
Medigap policy as long as you pay the premium.

9. 7. Some, not all, cover prescription
drugs.
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 Prescription Drug Plan.

10. 8. You can’t buy one if you have an
MSA Plan.
It's illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy if you have a Medicare
Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan.

11. Contact EMI Health Today for More
Information on Our Medigap Plans
If you’re interested in learning more about Medigap Plans, contact EMI Health
today. Whether you need help with out-of-pocket expenses or prescription drug
coverage, we are the company for you. Contact us today by calling 1-800-662-
5851 or by visiting www.emihealth.com.