Medicare
Medicare Supplement
Pairs with Original Medicare and covers most of what Medicare leaves you to pay. Any doctor who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country.
How it works
Original Medicare pays its share of a covered service and leaves you the rest — deductibles, coinsurance, and hospital costs with no annual limit. A Medicare Supplement policy (sometimes called Medigap) is private insurance that pays much of that remaining share.
There is no network. If a provider accepts Medicare, your supplement works there, which is why this route appeals to people who travel, live part of the year elsewhere, or use specialty centers far from home. Referrals are not required.
A supplement does not include prescription drug coverage. You would add a standalone Part D plan, and if you want routine dental or eyewear you would add a separate dental and vision plan.
The lettered plans
Supplement benefits are standardized by letter. A Plan G from one company covers exactly what a Plan G from another company covers — so the comparison comes down to premium, rate history, and how the company treats policyholders over time.
- Plan G — the most commonly purchased plan for people newly eligible. Covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible.
- Plan N — a lower premium in exchange for small copays at office and emergency room visits, and possible excess charges.
- Plan F — only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- High‑deductible G — a much lower premium with a substantial annual deductible you pay first.
The window that matters most
Your Medicare Supplement open enrollment is a six‑month period that begins when you are 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it, a company must issue you a policy regardless of your health.
After that window closes, most states allow medical underwriting: the company may ask health questions and may decline you or charge more. This is the single most consequential deadline in Medicare, and it is easy to miss.
Supplement or Advantage?
A side‑by‑side of the practical differences. Costs and rules vary by plan, company, and county — this is the shape of the choice, not a quote.
| Original Medicare + Supplement | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Provider access | Any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare. | Plan network, generally local. Out‑of‑network coverage is limited or none. |
| Monthly premium | Part B premium plus a supplement premium plus a drug plan premium. | Part B premium plus the plan’s premium, which is often zero. |
| Costs when you use care | Very little, depending on the letter plan. | Copays for most services, up to an annual out‑of‑pocket maximum. |
| Drug coverage | Add a separate Part D plan. | Usually built in. |
| Extra benefits | Not included. Buy separately if wanted. | Dental, vision, hearing, and others may be available depending on the plan. |
| Health questions | None during your open enrollment window; usually required after it. | Generally none, aside from Special Needs Plan eligibility rules. |
| Referrals and prior authorization | No referrals; prior authorization is rare. | Referrals in some plan types; prior authorization applies to certain services. |
Wondering whether your supplement window is still open?
Call and we will tell you where you stand and what your options are either way.
By calling this number, you will be connected with a licensed insurance agent who can answer questions about the plans we offer. There is no cost or obligation to talk.