HOW MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT WORKS

 Medicare Supplement Insurance, also known as Medigap, is a type of private health insurance that helps cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't pay. These costs can include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. 

 Supplements Original Medicare: Medigap policies work with Original Medicare, not in place of it. You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy. 

 Covers Gaps: Original Medicare covers about 80% of your healthcare costs, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%. Medigap plans help cover these "gaps." 

 Private Insurance: Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies. You pay a monthly premium for your Medigap policy in addition to your Medicare Part B premium. 

 Standardized Plans: Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. This means that each plan type (identified by letters like A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N) offers the same basic benefits, regardless of which insurance company you buy it from. The only difference between policies of the same letter from different companies is the premium (cost). 

 No Networks: Generally, with a Medigap policy, you can see any doctor, hospital, or provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. There are no network restrictions. 

 Guaranteed Renewable: As long as you pay your premiums, your Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable, meaning the insurance company cannot cancel it, even if your health changes. 

 Prescription Drug Coverage: Medigap policies sold after 2005 typically do not include prescription drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you'll need to join a separate Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan. 

 Not Medicare Advantage: Medigap policies are different from Medicare Advantage Plans (Part C). You cannot have both a Medigap policy and a Medicare Advantage Plan at the same time. 

 The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This 6-month period starts the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, you have the right to buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of your health conditions. If you apply outside this period, you may be subject to medical underwriting, and an insurance company could deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health history. 

Our Medicare supplement insurance plans offer coverage for Medicare beneficiaries who want additional coverage for their healthcare needs in California.