Medicare Supplement
Also called Medigap, these are standardized lettered plans that pay many costs left by Parts A & B to make expenses predictable.
What it covers
- What it pays for
- Covers many Part A & B cost gaps (deductibles, coinsurance, excess charges) to make bills more predictable.
- How it works
- Works with Original Medicare at any provider who accepts Medicare nationwide. No network restrictions.
- Who can get it, and when
- During your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts with Part B, no carrier can deny you or charge more due to health conditions; otherwise medical underwriting may apply.
What it costs
A monthly plan premium on top of the Part B premium, with little to pay when you get care.
Hawkins Insurance Group, LLC is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
What is good about it
- Standardized benefits regardless of carrier
The catch
- Separate Part D and dental/vision policies needed
- Premiums increase over time (age, inflation, claims)
Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage
| What is compared | Medicare Supplement | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-pocket cap | None, and the plan makes costs predictable | A yearly out-of-pocket maximum |
| Provider flexibility | Any Medicare provider | Network-based |
| Dental, vision, OTC | Not included | Often included |
Mistakes to avoid
- Delaying dental coverage until major work is needed, raising out-of-pocket risk
- Not comparing rate types (attained-age vs issue-age vs community-rated) across carriers
Common questions
- Each standardized letter covers a defined set of Part A & B cost shares. Only premiums and service differ.
Keep learning
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