Medicare Supplements

Medicare Supplements

Do you have fairly frequent doctor or hospital visits? If so, you may already know that Medicare Part A and Part B come with out-of-pocket costs you have to pay. You might be able to save money with a Medicare Supplement insurance plan. Medicare Supplement, or Medigap, insurance plans fill in “gaps” in basic benefits left behind by Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. In addition, Medicare Supplement plans may cover benefits like foreign emergency health coverage or Medicare Part B excess charges.

Here in Oregon, there are 10 standardized plan options to choose from. Each plan type offers different combinations of benefits.

The best time to buy a Medicare Supplement insurance policy is during your Medicare Supplement insurance open enrollment period, which is a 6-month period that begins the same month you are both 65 years old and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Medicare Supplement coverage is meant to work alongside your Original Medicare coverage. You’ll need to remain enrolled in Original Medicare, Part A and Part B, for your hospital and medical coverage. 

Enrolling in Medicare Supplement insurance plans

You’re eligible for Medicare Supplement insurance if you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. In Oregon, you may have Medigap coverage options if you have Medicare and are under 65 years old. 

The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which is the six-month period beginning on the first day of the month that you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this six-month period, you may enroll in any Medicare Supplement insurance plan in Oregon offered in your service area. No insurance company can deny you coverage during this time or charge higher premiums because of health problems.