What Is “Medigap” Insurance?

All health care services needed in times of crisis are not covered by Medicare Insurance. For these gaps in health care insurance there is Medigap Insurance. It pays for some care not covered by the original Medicare program in addition to some of the original costs.

Medigap Insurance is offered by private insurance companies. 12 standard plans are available from A-L. The benefits offered in each plan are different. If company 1 and company 2 are offering plan B, they would be offering exactly the same plan.  Sometimes the premiums are different though.

There are some areas not covered by the Medigap plans. You cannot avail of long term care to help you use the bathroom, dress or bathe. Hearing aids, prescription drugs, private duty nursing and vision or dental care are not covered as well.

The most basic plan is Plan A. The other plans offer the coverage offered in this plan and additional coverage as well. Foreign health care is not covered by Medicare. Medigap does take care of some foreign medical care.

Once a Medigap plan is bought, the insurance company is bound to keep renewing it. It cannot be cancelled unless the premium is not paid. The premium can be increased by the company after advance notification.