What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
Get to know the basics of Medicare Supplement Insurance policies, what they cover and don’t cover.
![What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)@2x](https://cignamedicareresourcecenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/What-is-Medicare-Supplement-Insurance-Medigap@2x.jpg)
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.
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 HealthcareSM 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. These plans help pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for your Part A (hospital care) and Part B (medical care), as well as additional out-of-pocket costs for things like hospitalization, doctor’s services, home health care, lab costs, durable medical equipment, and more.
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 prescription drug coverage or dental coverage. 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 Medicare?
Medicare Supplement Insurance works with Original Medicare Parts A and B. 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 B, you may be eligible to apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance. You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan at any time throughout the calendar year, but during your 6-month open enrollment period, 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 6 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.
Medicare Supplement plans are also available to you if you’re younger than age 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability.
Learn more about Medicare Supplement Enrollment and Eligibility
What are the types of Medicare Supplement plans?
There are a wide range of Medicare Supplement plans. The different types of 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.)
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.
Find the right plan for you
Explore your options so you can enroll in the Medicare plan
you deserve.
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What is Medicare?
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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.
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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.
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.