MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT INSURANCE
Understand Medigap. Compare with confidence.
Learn how Medicare Supplement Insurance can help pay your share of costs under Original Medicare.
HICAP can help you understand policy benefits, compare costs, and explore questions about buying or changing coverage.
Free • Confidential • Unbiased
MEDIGAP AT A GLANCE
Extra coverage for Original Medicare.
Medigap is insurance sold by private companies to help pay certain out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
01 / COVERAGE
Understand the benefits
Review which costs a policy helps cover and what you would still pay yourself.
02 / COMPARISON
Compare similar policies
Policies with the same plan letter offer the same basic benefits, even when different companies sell them.
03 / GUIDANCE
Ask before you choose
Get free, unbiased help understanding your options before buying or changing a policy.
HOW COVERAGE FITS TOGETHER
Medigap and Medicare Advantage are different.
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE
Medigap
Works alongside Original Medicare to help pay your share of covered costs.
Generally, you need both Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy.
ANOTHER COVERAGE OPTION
Medicare Advantage
Is an alternative way to receive your Medicare coverage through a private plan.
Medigap cannot be used to pay Medicare Advantage copayments, deductibles, or premiums.
COMPARING POLICIES
Start with the benefits. Then compare the cost.
Understand plan letters
Medigap policies use letters to identify standardized benefit packages. A Medigap plan letter is different from a Medicare part.
For example, Medigap Plan A is not the same as Medicare Part A.
Compare the same benefits
When reviewing different insurance companies, compare policies with the same plan letter.
Ask about the premium and any applicable deductible, and review the policy details before choosing.
Not every policy is available to every applicant. Ask HICAP which options and enrollment protections may apply to your situation.
BEFORE YOU MAKE A CHANGE
Check your enrollment rights first.
Before applying for a new policy or canceling existing coverage, ask HICAP to help you review your situation.
- What Medigap options are available to me?
- Can I buy or change a policy without health screening?
- Does California’s Medigap Birthday Rule apply?
- How would a change affect my existing coverage?
YOUR EXISTING BENEFITS MATTER
Have Medi-Cal or retiree coverage?
Medigap and Medi-Cal
Tell your HICAP counselor whether you have full Medi-Cal benefits or Medi-Cal with a share of cost.
Your counselor can help you understand how your benefits work together and whether supplemental coverage is appropriate.
Employer or union coverage
Bring information about any retiree coverage offered through a former employer or union.
Ask for help reviewing those benefits before buying another policy or changing your coverage.
TRUSTED RESOURCES
Learn more before choosing.
Medicare.gov
Explore official information about Medigap and compare standardized plan benefits.
California guidance
Read Medicare Supplement information from the California Department of Insurance.
HERE TO HELP
Questions about Medigap?
Talk with a HICAP counselor for free, confidential, and unbiased guidance.