When you sign up for Original Medicare, you are eligible to apply for a Medicare Supplement insurance policy, referred to as Medigap. There are currently 10 different Medigap plans with several types of Medicare Supplement benefits which help with out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare does not cover.
A policy can only be purchased if you signed up with Original Medicare. If you signed up with Medicare Advantage, you are not eligible for a Medigap plan.1
If you have a Medigap policy, how can you determine which plan you currently have? Medigap policies cover an individual and cannot be purchased as a joint policy for you and a family member.
There are four ways to find your Medigap plan and policy:
- The Medigap policy was physically or digitally sent to you when you purchased the Medigap policy.
- An insurance coverage card was sent to you when you purchased the policy.
- Contact the insurance provider.
- Contact the insurance agent who sold you the policy.
Want to Learn More about Medicare Supplement Insurance?
See the options available.
The Medigap policy sent to your home or business
With any insurance policy, a hard copy of the policy issued is sent to the policyholder’s home or business address.
This policy contains all the essential information you need including the agent who sold you or your spouse the policy, the type of plan, and a number to reach a customer representative.
If you have misplaced the policy, you can call the insurance company and ask for a copy of the policy.
Look at your Medigap card
Proof of insurance is usually issued to the policyholder as a wallet-size card with the information needed for medical providers. The card should have most or all of the following information:
Policy Number
The number assigned on the original Medigap policy you bought
Policy Effective Date
This is the date the policy became effective
The Medigap plan
Look on the card for a letter. Medigap plans are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
Company, address, and telephone number
The name of the insurance company and contact information
Call the insurance carrier your Medigap policy is with
On the Medigap card is a phone number for the insurance carrier. This is generally the customer service number. If you do not have the number, look on the insurance company’s website for a customer service number.
Once you have contacted a customer service representative, you can ask more questions.
An insurance agent most likely sold you or your spouse the Medigap policy. If you have the agent’s name, customer service may also help you connect with the agent.
When can you change the Medigap plan you currently have?
Medigap plans are eligible to change only during these situations:
You buy a Medigap policy during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. In this period of time, you decide you don’t want the policy and you can switch to another Medigap plan.
Other situations may apply:
-
If you want to change your coverage, call your State Insurance Department, and see if the state offers other opportunities for changing Medigap coverage.3
-
You are having an issue with the company you purchased your Medigap policy from: If the insurance company misled you, broke rules concerning Medigap insurance, went out of business or declared bankruptcy, you may have options to change coverage.
-
You have a Medicare SELECT policy: A Medicare SELECT policy may require you use hospitals and, in some cases, doctors within a network to be eligible for all the benefits. If you buy a Medicare SELECT policy, you may have the right to change within 12 months and switch to a Medigap plan.3
- You are moving out of state: If you have Medicare SELECT you have the option of switching to another Medigap plan. If you switch within six months or less from enrolling in Medicare SELECT, you will not have to answer any medical questions.
Dropping your Medigap policy
If you decide to either cancel your policy or stop paying the premiums, you might not be able to get the coverage back, now, or later.
Once you know which plan you currently are enrolled in, you can visit medicare.gov and see the benefits and how the plan may help defray costs Original Medicare does not cover.4
Sources:
-
Medicare, health-drug-plans, Accessed January 2024.
-
Medicare.gov, https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy/change-policies, Accessed January 2024.
-
Medicare.gov, https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy/change-policies/switch-drop, Accessed January 2024.
-
Medicare.gov, https://www.medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans/#/m?year=2024&lang=en, Accessed January 2024.