What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
Get to know the basics of Medicare Supplement Insurance policies, what they cover and don’t cover.
What does Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, mean?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is private health insurance that adds on to Original Medicare (Part A and B). It helps pay about 20%¹ of the Medicare expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.
Do you need a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan if you have Original Medicare?
While Medicare covers many types of medical bills, there are still additional costs that you may be left to pay on your own. Medicare covers around 80% of health care costs. For large medical bills, this can leave customers with a lot to pay on their own. Medicare Supplement Insurance can help pay for some costs that Original Medicare does not cover.
Insured by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Insurance Company, Cigna National Health Insurance Company or Loyal American Life Insurance Company.
Video: What is Medicare Supplement?
This short video helps explain what a Medicare Supplement policy covers, and when and how you can use your Cigna Healthcare® plan. (Length: 00:01:22)
What does Medicare Supplement Insurance cover?
Medicare Supplement Insurance helps cover some costs not paid by Original Medicare Part A and B, including:
- Copays
- Coinsurance
- Deductibles
Medigap can also help pay for additional out-of-pocket costs, such as:
- Hospitalization
- Doctor’s services
- Home health care
- Lab costs
- Durable medical equipment
Original Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health costs. Then, your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan will pay its share of the costs it covers.
There are a wide range of Medicare Supplement plans that differ in coverage and costs, from basic to extensive.
Compare Medicare Supplement plans
Looking for a Medicare Supplement policy?
Cigna Healthcare offers policies with competitive rates and up to 25% premium discounts*.
What does Medicare Supplement Insurance not cover?
Medicare Supplement policies do not include:
But you can buy those plans separately. Cigna Healthcare2 offers both prescription and dental plans, many with low cost monthly premiums.
How does Medicare Supplement Insurance work with Original Medicare?
To purchase a Medigap policy, you must already be enrolled in both Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Supplement Insurance provides additional coverage to your Original Medicare benefits.
If you choose to buy a standalone Part D Prescription Drug plan, Medicare Supplement works with that, too.
Medicare Supplement Insurance is different from Medicare Advantage. You can have either a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan, but not both at the same time.
Who is eligible for Medicare Supplement Insurance?
If you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B, you may be eligible to apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance. Medicare Supplement plans are also available to you if you’re younger than age 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability.**
When can you enroll in Medicare Supplement plans?
You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan at any time throughout the calendar year, but during your 6-month open enrollment period,³ you can buy any policy offered in your state and you are guaranteed coverage even if you have pre-existing health conditions.
- If you are retiring at 65 and applying for Medicare Part B, your open enrollment period lasts for six months starting the first day your Part B coverage begins.
- If you are not retiring until later and still getting medical coverage under your employer’s insurance, then your open enrollment starts when you do retire and sign up for Part B coverage.
Learn more about Medicare Supplement Enrollment and Eligibility
What are the types of Medicare Supplement plans?
There are up to 10 Medicare Supplement plans offered in each state. The different types of Medigap plans are named alphabetically, Plan A through Plan N. (Note, that they are not the same as other parts of Medicare, which are also named alphabetically.)
The types of plans that are offered may differ depending on which state you live in, but no matter where you live, each policy is standardized and offers the same basic benefits.
Medicare Supplement plans range from those that offer basic coverage, to those offering a much higher level of coverage. Understanding your health care needs, as well as your financial situation, can help when choosing a Medicare Supplement plan.
How much does Medicare Supplement Insurance cost?
When you purchase a Medigap policy, you’ll pay your insurance company a monthly premium. The cost of your Medicare Supplement premium will depend on which health insurance company you choose as well as which type of Medigap plan you select.
However, remember that core Medicare Supplement Plan benefits are the same no matter which insurer you choose (for example, Plan G with Company A is exactly the same as Plan G with Company B). Be sure to shop and compare Medicare Supplement Insurance options to find the best fit for your budget.
Looking for more information on the different types of Medicare Supplement Insurance? Compare Medicare Supplement plans
Explore articles related to your Medicare journey
What is Medicare?
Understand what Medicare is, how it works and what you need to know to find the plan that's right for you.
Types of Medicare Plans
Explore the many different Medicare plan options so you can be ready to enroll in the plan that's right for you.
Choosing a Medicare Plan
No matter your needs or budget, Cigna Healthcare offers a wide range of plan options to choose from.
View Medicare Supplement state disclosures, exclusions, and limitations
*State variations apply. Discount not available in HI, ID, MN, and VT. For residents of WA, the discount is referred to as Spousal Premium Discount, and only applies to spouses. Discount percentage varies by state.
**Notice for persons eligible for Medicare because of disability:
In the following states, all Medicare Supplement plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare because of disability: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
¹After the Part B Deductible has been met.
²Insured by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna Insurance Company, Cigna National Health Insurance Company or Loyal American Life Insurance Company. In Kansas, insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, Cigna National Health Insurance Company, and Loyal American Life Insurance Company. American Retirement Life Insurance Company is not available to residents of Kansas and Kentucky. In Illinois, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio, and Utah, insured by Cigna National Health Insurance Company domiciled in Ohio. In Pennsylvania, insured by Cigna Insurance Company. In Idaho and New Mexico, insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company.
View Kansas disclosures, exclusions, and limitations
Notice for persons eligible for Medicare because of disability:
In the following states, all Medicare Supplement plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare because of disability: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Tennessee Medicare Supplement Policy Forms
Plan A: CNHIC-MS-AA-A-TN; Plan F: CNHIC-MS-AA-F-TN; Plan G: CNHIC-MS-AA-G-TN; Plan N: CNHIC-MS-AA-N-TN.
