What Is Medigap Coverage?

Medigap insurance provides additional coverage to fill holes in standard Medicare health coverage. Senior citizens buy Medigap policies to pay health care costs their standard Medicare won't meet.

Facts

• Private insurance companies sell Medigap coverage. All Medigap policies must be standardized and adhere to federal and state laws.

Features

• Medigap coverage is available in 12 standardized policies. The plans, lettered A through L, have different basic and extra benefits. Costs vary according to plan.

Benefits

• You can make easy comparisons of benefits and costs because of the standardization of Medigap policies.

Types

• Medicare Select is another type of Medigap coverage. In exchange for lower premiums, Medicare Select restricts the user to specific doctors and hospitals when seeking care.

Considerations

• Married couples must each buy Medigap policies. Medigap coverage does not include benefits for the spouse.