A calmer way to understand Medigap.
Original Medicare leaves some costs with you. Medigap policies are private plans designed to help with a portion of them. We lay out the lettered plans in plain English, then, if you wish, connect you with licensed professionals who can speak to what is available where you live.
i.Standardized lettered plans in most states
ii.Designed to work alongside Original Medicare
iii.Plans vary by ZIP code, availability and eligibility
What Medigap is, and what it isn’t
“Medigap does not replace Medicare. It sits quietly beside it.”The short version
Original Medicare (Part A for hospital care, Part B for medical care) generally pays a share of covered costs, not all of them. Deductibles, coinsurance and copayments may remain. A Medicare Supplement policy, often called Medigap, is sold by private insurance companies and may help pay some of those remaining costs.
Each policy is identified by a letter. In most states, a given letter describes the same set of core benefits no matter which company sells it, which makes side-by-side thinking simpler. What differs from one insurer to the next is how they price and underwrite the policy, and how they serve you afterward.
- Works withOriginal Medicare (Parts A and B). You generally need both to be eligible to buy a Medigap policy.
- Does not work withMedicare Advantage (Part C) plans. A Medigap policy generally cannot be used alongside one.
- Who it coversAn individual policy generally covers one person. Spouses typically each need their own.
- Drug coverageNot included in current policies. Drug coverage is generally a separate Part D plan.
The lettered plan explorer
Select a letter to read how it is generally described. Benefits are standardized across insurers in most states. This is an educational summary, not a quote; the insurer’s outline of coverage for any policy you consider is the document to rely on.
Plan A
Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize Medigap plans differently. Plan availability, eligibility and premiums vary by ZIP code and individual circumstances. “Partly covered” means a share of the cost is generally paid by the plan, according to the plan’s design.
Timing matters more than most people expect
General guidance only. Your own dates depend on your birthday, your Part B start date and your state.
- Around your 65th birthday
Initial Enrollment Period
Your first chance to sign up for Medicare is a seven-month window: the three months before, the month of, and the three months after the month you turn 65. Medigap is a separate purchase made from a private insurer, and you generally need Part B in place first.
- Six months, once
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
This window generally begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, insurers in most states cannot turn you down or charge more because of health conditions. Once it closes, they may ask health questions and, in many states, may decline an application.
- Certain life events
Guaranteed-issue situations
In a few circumstances, such as certain coverage ending, you may have special rights to buy a Medigap policy. These rules are specific and time-limited, and they vary. A licensed agent or your SHIP counselor can help you confirm them.
- October 15 – December 7
The Annual Election Period
Each year you may change Medicare Advantage and Part D coverage. Moving from a Medicare Advantage plan back to Original Medicare does not by itself guarantee that a Medigap insurer will accept you in most states, which is worth knowing beforehand.
How this works, and who we are
Read at your own pace
The explorer and the notes above are free to use, with nothing to sign up for. They are written to help you form better questions.
Share a few details, only if you wish
If you would like to speak with someone, you can complete the short form below. It asks for the basics so the right professional can follow up about options in your area.
A licensed professional may reach out
With your consent, licensed insurance agents or partner organizations may contact you by phone, email or text. You are under no obligation, and you can ask to stop at any time.
Who we are. Ashgrove Medigap Plans is a free informational and referral service operated by a private company. We are not an insurance company, we do not sell policies, and we are not the federal government. Our independent partners are the ones who may discuss specific plans and enrollment.
Ask a licensed professional, without the pressure.
Tell us a little about where you live and what you are looking for. A licensed agent or partner may follow up to talk through options available in your area.
- Free to use, with no obligation
- Plans and availability vary by ZIP code
- You choose whether to proceed
Questions, answered carefully
Is Medigap the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) is sold by private insurers to work alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a different route in which a private plan delivers your Part A and Part B benefits. In general, Medigap policies do not work with Medicare Advantage plans.
Do all insurers offer the same Medigap benefits?
In most states, the benefits of each lettered plan are standardized, so a Plan G from one company is described the same way as a Plan G from another. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently. Other things, such as premiums, underwriting rules and customer service, can differ between insurers.
Can I still buy Plan C or Plan F?
Plans C and F are generally not available to people who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Some people who were eligible before that date may still be able to buy or keep them. Eligibility depends on your situation, so confirm the details with a licensed agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?
Current Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage. Drug coverage is generally obtained separately through a Medicare Part D plan.
When is the best time to look at Medigap?
Many people look during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six-month window that generally begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. After that window, insurers in most states may ask health questions and can sometimes decline an application. Some situations carry special guaranteed-issue rights. Rules vary by state.
What does this service cost, and who will contact me?
Ashgrove is free to use. If you submit your information and give consent, licensed insurance agents or partner organizations may contact you to discuss options available in your area. You are never required to enroll in anything.