What is medicare supplemental insurance

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UnitedHealthcare pays royalty fees to AARP for the use of its intellectual property. These fees are used for the general purposes of AARP. AARP and its affiliates are not insurers. AARP does not employ or endorse agents, brokers or producers.

AARP encourages you to consider your needs when selecting products and does not make product recommendations for individuals.

Please note that each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products.

AARP® Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

AARP endorses the AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare.

Insured by UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, Hartford, CT or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of America, Schaumburg, IL (for ND residents) or UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company of New York, Islandia, NY (for NY residents). Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its products. Policy form No. GRP 79171 GPS-1 (G-36000-4).

In some states, plans may be available to persons under age 65 who are eligible for Medicare by reason of disability or End-Stage Renal Disease.

Not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program.

This is a solicitation of insurance. A licensed insurance agent/producer may contact you.

You must be an AARP member to enroll in an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan.


THESE PLANS HAVE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS, EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS. FOR COSTS AND COMPLETE DETAILS (INCLUDING OUTLINES OF COVERAGE), CALL A LICENSED INSURANCE AGENT/PRODUCER AT THE TOLL-FREE NUMBER ABOVE.

Medicare Advantage plans and Medicare Prescription Drug plans
Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies, a Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan's contract renewal with Medicare. You do not need to be an AARP member to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan or Medicare Prescription Drug plan.

This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information.

A Medicare Supplement insurance plan is healthcare insurance you can buy that may help pay for costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay.

Let’s explore how these plans work, what they cover and more.

How does Medicare Supplement insurance work?

Medicare Supplement insurance plans, also known as Medigap, help supplement Original Medicare. They may help pay some of the healthcare costs that Original Medicare does pay like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

A Medigap plan may be purchased from a private insurance company. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, you must live in the state where the policy is offered and be age 65 or over. In some states, you can be under age 65 with a disability or end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

Each standardized Medicare insurance supplement plan covers different types of costs. How much you pay out of pocket will depend on the services covered and the plan you choose.


All Medicare Supplement insurance plans offer the same basic benefits but some offer additional benefits. A list of basic benefits includes:

  • Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 extra days after Medicare benefits are used
  • Part B coinsurance or copayment
  • Blood (first 3 pints)
  • Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment

Some additional benefits that may be included in certain plans include:

  • Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
  • Part A deductible
  • Part B deductible
  • Part B excess charge
  • Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits)
  • Out-of-pocket limit

Important things to know about Medicare Supplement insurance plans2


  • Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not the same as Medicare Advantage plans.
  • A Medigap policy only covers 1 person. If you and your spouse both want Medigap coverage, you must buy separate policies.
  • Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you can join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (Part D).
  • You will pay a monthly premium when you have a Medicare Supplement plan in addition to the Part B premium to Original Medicare.
  • A Medicare Supplement policy is guaranteed renewable even if you have health problems. This means your private insurance company can’t cancel your policy as long as you pay the premium and provided accurate information on your application.
  • Medigap policies generally don’t cover long-term care, vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses or private-duty nursing.

How to pick the best Medicare Supplement insurance plan for you

Sources

Humana answers your Medicare questions

To purchase Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare Supplement Insurance provides coverage for gaps in medical costs not covered by Medicare. Medicare Supplement plans are standardized and offer various benefits to help offset your healthcare cost.

The California Department of Insurance (CDI) regulates Medicare Supplement policies underwritten by licensed insurance companies. The CDI assists consumers in resolving complaints and disputes concerning premium rates, claims handling, and many other problems with agents or companies. The Consumer Hotline 800-927-4357 is serviced by experienced professionals who will answer your questions, or assist you in filing a complaint.

To find information on Medicare Supplement Insurance, the names of companies authorized to sell it and compare premiums, please visit our Guide to Medicare Supplement page.

Medicare Supplement Insurance


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