Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance is private health insurance designed to supplement Medicare. It offers coverage, at varying levels, for the significant out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by Medicare, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Medigap coverage allows seniors and younger Medicare enrollees with disabilities – many of whom are on fixed incomes – to budget for medical costs and avoid the confusion and inconvenience of handling complex medical bills.
Medigap plans are used by nearly 10 million seniors and other Medicare beneficiaries, offering them a sense of security about both the predictable and unexpected costs associated with medical care.Analyses of federal data show that Medigap is a particularly important coverage option for low-income and rural seniors. Surveys consistently find that Medigap beneficiaries are highly satisfied with their Medigap coverage. To get involved in advocating for Medigap, please visit: www.partnershiptoprotectmedigap.org.
Latest Resources
This report presents trends in enrollment in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance coverage, using data on the number of policies in force as of December 2012 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). The NAIC dataset contains information on most Medigap policies in force in the U.S., representing approximately 10.2 million covered lives, with policies from 262 carriers.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Center for Policy and Research
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05/20/2013
This fact sheet
demonstrates the value that Medigap provides to lower income and rural Medicare
beneficiaries, as well as less healthy beneficiaries.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Clinical Affairs
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03/07/2013
New data from the Medicare Current Beneficiary
Survey (MCBS) show that Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare’s private
comprehensive health plans, continue to be a vital source of coverage for
low-income and minority beneficiaries in 2011.
Center for Policy and Research
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02/20/2013
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2011 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Center for Policy and Research
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02/15/2013
Nine out of ten seniors enrolled in Medigap are satisfied
with their coverage, according to a new American Viewpoint survey released by
America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP).
According to the survey, seventy-nine percent of beneficiaries say their
policy provides excellent or good value for the money, and the vast majority
(91 percent) would recommend Medigap to a friend or relative.
Press Releases
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Strategic Communications
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06/15/2012
AHIP commissioned American Viewpoint, Inc., to conduct a national survey of Medicare supplement (Medigap) policyholders. As in past years, the survey asked enrollees about their satisfaction and experience with their coverage. In addition, the interview included questions about potential changes to Medicare and Medigap.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Product Policy
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06/14/2012
This presentation examines the results of the AHIP-commissioned American Viewpoint Medigap satisfaction survey.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Product Policy
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06/14/2012
This fact sheet
details the demographics of Medigap enrollees highlighting the income range and
likelihood of having one or more chronic conditions of Medigap policyholders
compared to Medicare beneficiaries as a whole.
Infographics
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Strategic Communications
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05/10/2012
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2010 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Center for Policy and Research
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05/03/2012
Medicare supplement (Medigap) insurance is a vitally
important product for beneficiaries who choose Medicare’s original
fee-for-service (FFS) program (Parts A and B). The Medicare program does not
have a limit on beneficiaries’ potential out-of-pocket exposure. Working in
tandem with Medicare, it allows seniors and other beneficiaries – many of whom
are on fixed incomes – to budget for medical costs and to avoid the confusion
and inconvenience of handling complex medical bills from providers.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Clinical Affairs
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04/24/2012
This fact sheet summarizes key findings from the HHS Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) Report on Variation and Trends in Medigap Premiums. Most notably, the report found that overall, Medigap premiums have risen moderately over the past decade, and significantly more slowly than the growth in Medicare spending per beneficiary.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Clinical Affairs
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01/19/2012
Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2009 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Center for Policy and Research
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09/26/2011
An informative report on how private Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance works, who purchases it, and what it covers. Describes recent product design changes to conform with the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Center for Policy and Research
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07/28/2011
This report presents trends in enrollment in Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance coverage, using data on the numbers of policies in force as of December 2010 from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and an America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) survey of newly purchased policies issued by Medigap carriers through the first quarter of 2011. The NAIC dataset contains information on most Medigap policies in force in the U.S.
Reports/Research/White Papers
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Product Policy, Center for Policy and Research
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07/27/2011
Press Releases
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Strategic Communications
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09/22/2008
The Partnership to Protect Medigap is a non-partisan, educational and grassroots initiative of America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The coalition is composed of seniors, their families and health care providers advocating for the preservation of Medicare Supplement insurance options.
Advocacy and Coalition Websites