Medicare Supplement plans are sold by private insurance companies, so prices, or premiums, can vary. There can be differences in the premiums that different insurance companies charge for exactly the same coverage.
Costs that you pay with any Medigap plan include:
- Monthly Medigap plan premium
- Medicare Parts A and B premiums if required
- Medicare deductibles, copayments and coinsurance if not covered by the Medigap plan (based on the plan you choose)
When can you buy a Medicare Supplement plan?
You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan any time. However, the best time to buy a Medigap plan is during your 6-month Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.
Your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you have Part B and you're age 65 or older. The big advantage is you can buy any Medicare Supplement plan sold in your state without medical underwriting. So even if you have health problems, you can buy any Medicare Supplement plan for the same price as people with good health during this time period.
Some states have additional Open Enrollment Periods including those for people under age 65.
How to choose the best Medicare Supplement plan for you
Everyone has unique healthcare needs. When choosing between Medigap plans, ask yourself questions like:
- How much Medicare Supplement coverage do I need?
- How much is the monthly Medicare Supplement premium?
- How long is the waiting period before my Medicare Supplement coverage begins?
- What are the out-of-pocket Medicare Supplement costs ?
- Will I be covered outside of the United States?
For more help, read these tips on how to pick the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan for you .