What is Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)?
Get to know the basics of Medicare Supplement Insurance policies, what they cover and don’t cover.
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What does Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, mean?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is private health insurance that adds on to Original Medicare (Part A and B). It helps pay about 20%1 of the Medicare expenses that Original Medicare doesn't cover.
What does Medicare Supplement Insurance cover?
Medicare Supplement Insurance helps cover some costs not paid by Original Medicare Part A and B. These plans help pay copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for your Part A (hospital care) and Part B (medical care), as well as additional out-of-pocket costs for things like hospitalization, doctor’s services, home health care, lab costs, durable medical equipment, and more.
Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health costs. Then, your Medicare Supplement Insurance plan will pay its share of the costs it covers.
There are a wide range of Medicare Supplement plans that differ in coverage and costs, from basic to extensive.
VIDEO
What is Medicare Supplement?
This short video helps explain what a Medicare Supplement policy covers, and when and how you can use your plan. (Length: 00:01:20)
Video: What is Medicare Supplement?
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Cigna offers policies with competitive rates and up to 25% premium discounts*.What does Medicare Supplement Insurance not cover?
Medicare Supplement policies do not include
How does Medicare Supplement Insurance work with Medicare?
Medicare Supplement Insurance works with Original Medicare Parts A and B. If you choose to buy a standalone Part D Prescription Drug plan, Medicare Supplement works with that, too.
Medicare Supplement Insurance is different from Medicare Advantage. You can have either a Medicare Advantage Plan or a Medicare Supplement Plan, but not both at the same time.
Who is eligible for Medicare Supplement Insurance?
If you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Original Medicare Part B, you may be eligible to apply for Medicare Supplement Insurance. You can apply for a Medicare Supplement plan at any time throughout the calendar year, but during your 6-month open enrollment period, you can buy any policy offered in your state and you are guaranteed coverage even if you have pre-existing health conditions.
- If you are retiring at 65 and applying for Medicare Part B, your open enrollment period lasts for 6 months starting the first day your Part B coverage begins.
- If you are not retiring until later and still getting medical coverage under your employer’s insurance, then your open enrollment starts when you do retire and sign up for Part B coverage.
Medicare Supplement plans are also available to you if you’re younger than age 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability.
What are the types of Medicare Supplement Plans?
There are a wide range of Medicare Supplement plans. The different types of plans are named alphabetically, Plan A through Plan N. (Note, that they are not the same as other parts of Medicare, which are also named alphabetically.)
Medicare Supplement plans range from those that offer basic coverage, to those offering a much higher level of coverage. Understanding your health care needs, as well as your financial situation, can help when choosing a Medicare Supplement plan.
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*State variations apply. Discount not available in HI, ID, MN, and VT. For residents of WA, the discount is referred to as Spousal Premium Discount, and only applies to spouses. Discount percentage varies by state.
1 After the Part B Deductible has been met.
2 Insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company or Cigna National Health Insurance Company. In Kansas, insured by Cigna National Life Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Loyal American Life Insurance Company. American Retirement Life Insurance Company is not available to residents of Kansas. In Pennsylvania, Maryland North Carolina and Utah, insured by Cigna National Health Insurance Company domiciled in Ohio. In New Mexico, Idaho and Ohio, insured by Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company
Notice for persons eligible for Medicare because of disability:
In the following states, all Medicare Supplement plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare because of disability: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
Tennessee Medicare Supplement Policy Forms
Plan A: CNHIC-MS-AA-A-TN; Plan F: CNHIC-MS-AA-F-TN; Plan G: CNHIC-MS-AA-G-TN; Plan N: CNHIC-MS-AA-N-TN.
MS-SITE-MedSupp2022
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Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D Policy Disclaimers
Cigna Healthcare products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of The Cigna Group. The Cigna names, logos, and marks, including THE CIGNA GROUP and CIGNA HEALTHCARE are owned by Cigna Intellectual Property, Inc. Subsidiaries of The Cigna Group contract with Medicare to offer Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans and Part D Prescription Drug Plans (PDP) in select states, and with select State Medicaid programs. Enrollment in a Cigna Healthcare product depends on contract renewal.
To file a marketing complaint,
Medicare Supplement Policy Disclaimers
Medicare Supplement website content not approved for use in: Oregon.
AN OUTLINE OF COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. We'll provide an outline of coverage to all persons at the time the application is presented.
Our company and agents are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. This is a solicitation for insurance. An insurance agent may contact you. Premium and benefits vary by plan selected. Plan availability varies by state. Medicare Supplement policies are underwritten by Cigna National Health Insurance Company, Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company, American Retirement Life Insurance Company or Loyal American Life Insurance Company. Each insurer has sole responsibility for its own products.
The following Medicare Supplement Plans are available to persons eligible for Medicare due to disability: Plan A in Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia; Plans A, F, and G in North Carolina; and Plans C and D in New Jersey for individuals aged 50-64. Medicare Supplement policies contain exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the policies may be continued in force or discontinued. For costs and complete details of coverage, contact the company.
This website is designed as a marketing aid and is not to be construed as a contract for insurance. It provides a brief description of the important features of the policy. Please refer to the policy for the full terms and conditions of coverage.
In Kentucky, Plans A, F, G, HDG, N are available under Cigna National Health Insurance Company, Plans A, F, G, HDF, N are available under Cigna Health and Life Insurance Company and Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, N are available under Loyal American Life Insurance Company.
Kansas Disclosures, Exclusions and Limitations
Medicare Supplement Policy Forms: Plan A: CNHIC-MS-AA-A-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-A-KS; Plan F: CNHIC-MS-AA-F-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-F-KS; Plan G: CNHIC-MS-AA-G-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-G-KS; Plan N: CNHIC-MS-AA-N-KS, CNHIC-MS-AO-N-KS
Exclusions and Limitations:
The benefits of this policy will not duplicate any benefits paid by Medicare. The combined benefits of this policy and the benefits paid by Medicare may not exceed one-hundred percent (100%) of the Medicare Eligible Expenses incurred. This policy will not pay benefits for the following:
(1) the Medicare Part B Deductible;
(2) any expense which You are not legally obligated to pay; or services for which no charge is normally made in the absence of insurance;
(3) any services that are not medically necessary as determined by Medicare;
(4) any portion of any expense for which payment is made by Medicare or other government programs (except Medicaid); or for which payment would have been made by Medicare if You were enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare;
(5) any type of expense not a Medicare Eligible Expense except as provided previously in this policy;
(6) any deductible, Coinsurance or Co-payment not covered by Medicare, unless such coverage is listed as a benefit in this policy; or
(7) Preexisting Conditions: We will not pay for any expenses incurred for care or treatment of a Preexisting Condition for the first six (6) months from the effective date of coverage. This exclusion does not apply if You applied for and were issued this policy under guaranteed issue status; if on the date of application for this policy You had at least six (6) months of prior Creditable Coverage; or, if this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy and a six (6) month waiting period has already been satisfied. Evidence of prior coverage or replacement must have been disclosed on the application for this policy. If You had less than six (6) months prior Creditable Coverage, the Preexisting Conditions limitation will be reduced by the aggregate amount of Creditable Coverage. If this policy is replacing another Medicare Supplement policy, credit will be given for any portion of the waiting period that has been satisfied.