Medigap in 5 Minutes
How it fills the hole in Original Medicare, and the one window that matters most. No sales pitch.
What Medigap Is
Medigap is also called Medicare Supplement.
Original Medicare pays about 80% of your doctor bills. There is no yearly limit on your 20%. That is a risk. It leaves you holding a big liability.
Medigap is private insurance that takes that risk off your shoulders. Medicare pays its share, then your Medigap plan picks up most or all of the rest.
You keep Original Medicare. Medigap rides along with it.
What You Get — and What It Asks
Medigap is the opposite trade from Advantage. You pay more each month, and in exchange your care stays simple and predictable.
You get
- See any doctor in the country who takes Medicare — no networks.
- No referrals. No asking permission for care.
- Small, predictable bills — you know your costs before you walk in.
- The plan's benefits never change, year after year (premiums can still rise).
It asks
- A real monthly premium — often $80 to $150 or more.
- No extras. Dental, vision, and hearing are separate.
- You add a separate Part D plan for drugs.
The Plans Have Letters
Medigap plans are named with letters — Plan G, Plan N, and so on.
Here is the good news: the letters are set by law. Every Plan G covers exactly the same things, no matter which company sells it.
That means you are really only shopping for two things: the letter that fits you, and the best price on it.
Most of the people we help choose Plan G (the fullest coverage) or Plan N (a bit cheaper, with small copays).
The One Window That Matters Most
For 6 months after your Part B starts, you can buy any Medigap plan with no health questions. Every company selling that plan must take you, and cannot charge you more because of your health.
After that window closes, companies can ask about your health. They can charge you more. They can say no.
This is why so many people start with Medigap. Joining Advantage later is easy — a window opens every fall. Coming back to Medigap may not be.
Good news for our states: Florida prices Medigap by the age you were when you bought it — buying at 65 locks in that age factor. The dollar premium can still rise with inflation and approved rate changes, but never because you got older. And California's Birthday Rule lets you re-shop your Medigap plan every year, no health questions asked.
Is It Right for You?
It tends to fit if…
- You want to keep your doctors — all of them, anywhere.
- You travel or split time between two states.
- You would rather pay monthly than get surprise bills.
- You want coverage whose benefits never change on you.
Think twice if…
- The monthly premium would strain your budget.
- You are healthy and rarely see a doctor.
- You want dental, vision, and hearing bundled in.
- Your window has closed and your health history is complicated.
Neither answer is wrong. The wrong move is guessing — or waiting until your window has closed.
About the author
Eric Ullrich
Founder & Licensed Medicare Advisor, Candor Medicare
Eric founded Candor Medicare to fix what he watched go wrong in the industry — advisors pushing plans that paid them more instead of plans that fit the person in front of them. He works directly with Medicare beneficiaries across Florida and California as an independent advisor. Carriers pay a CMS-capped commission when you enroll, and his guidance is free to you.
Whenever you're ready, we're here.
No pressure, no pitch. Just an advocate in your corner.