While Medicare provides broad coverage, there are gaps where some people may want additional coverage. Many private insurers design and sell plans meant to fill these gaps, so that Medicare beneficiaries can enjoy sufficiently comprehensive coverage.
Another name for these Medicare supplement plans is “Medigap” since they fill the space that Medicare doesn’t. However, Medicare supplemental insurance doesn’t provide types of care that aren’t already included, such as dental.
The Different Medicare Supplements
While private insurers sell supplemental plans, these plans follow one of ten Medicare standards. In the same way that Medicare itself exists in four parts, there are ten different Medicare supplement plans.
Regardless of the exact provider, each of these plans provides the same coverage. The principal difference is the premium that different providers charge for Medigap coverage.