Both Medicare Part A and B may not cover all the expenses you need when seeking medical care. Medicare Supplement insurance, also known as Medigap, covers some of these otherwise uncovered expenses. Medigap insurance helps to fill the “gap” left by Medicare. Medicare supplement isn’t designed to replace Medicare, but it supplements Medicare by covering copayments, deductibles, coinsurance, and more. These plans are standardized by the same agency that oversees Medicare but are sold by private insurance companies.

• Medigap policies typically don’t cover long-term care, vision, dental, hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private nursing.

• You must have Medicare Part A and Part B. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can apply for a Medigap policy, but ensure you have a valid disenrollment from the Medicare Advantage Plan before your Medigap policy begins.

• You pay your private insurance company for the Medigap policy in addition to what you pay Medicare for your monthly premium.

• Medigap only covers one individual. You and your spouse will have to purchase separate Medigap policies.

• Medigap policies don’t cover prescription drugs. You will need prescription drug coverage, you can join Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).