Medicare supplement plans or Medigap is the private health insurance plans that are for those people who already have a Medicare policy. The Medigap or Medicare supplement plans helps the Medicare beneficiaries to bear that extra medical cost that are left aside by the original plans. The name Medigap is suggested because it is believed that these policies bridges the gap between the Medicare coverage and the original expenses or the total bill charged. However in the recent studies it is seen that in the United States about 18% of the people having original Medicare policy goes for the supplement plans also.

Medicare supplement plan is your helping aid to pay off the excess of your medical bill that is left aside by the original Medicare plan. As the name suggests, it is a supplement plan that is bought along with an original Medicare plan. In an original plan there always remains a gap and it cannot pay for the total bill charged. Therefore there is the need for a supplement plan to clear off your dues. It actually bridges the gap between the policy coverage of the original plan and the total bill charged. Therefore a supplement plan is always needed for you if you need to get full medical coverage from your insurance plan.

It is to be noted that the Medicare supplement plans of Medigap plans are totally sold and administered by the private companies and the government has no hand in it. But there are still some preset rules that are to be followed by every company. As for example the companies can only offer 12 standard Medigap plans named A through L. And it is also to be mentioned that the plans under the same letter cover is bound to provide same benefits irrespective of the companies selling them. All that could differ is the amount of insurance premium nothing else. Therefore here in this article let us have a look on some of the benefits provided by the Medicare supplement plans under their letter covers. Part A Medigap plan is your hospital insurance. To go for a Medicare supplement plan a person is required to be enrolled in part A and B of original Medicare before they can go for a medigap policy. A person may obtain a Medigap plan on a guaranteed issue basis during the open enrollment period, which begins within 6 months of turning 65 or enrolling in Medicare Part B at 65 or older.

Part C is that part of the insurance coverage or such a Medicare supplement plan that combines both Part A and B coverage. It also provides some additional services. The Part C Medicare supplement plan is offered only through Medicare approved private insurance companies. The Part D Medicare supplement plan is for your prescription drug coverage. It helps you pay for the medications prescribed by your doctor. In this case it is to be mentioned that the policyholders who enroll themselves for standalone Part D plan may not retain the drug coverage portion of their Medigap policy. But the beneficiary may choose to remove drug coverage from their current Medigap policy and retain all other benefits.