Medicare

Medicare Supplement  
(Medigap) insurance plans

If you are enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B (Original Medicare), Medicare Supplement insurance plans can help fill the coverage gaps.

Medicare Supplement insurance plans are sold by Medicare-approved private insurance companies and are designed to assist you with out-of-pockets costs from deductibles, copays and coinsurance which are not covered by Part A or Part B.

A Medicare Supplement policy covers only one person so spouses must buy separate policies.

Medicare Supplement insurance plans are standardized by the federal government and the plans available in your area can vary. There are 10 plans labeled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M and N. Every plan with the same letter offers the same benefits but not every company offers every plan.The level of coverage varies by plan. Medicare Supplement insurance provides nationwide coverage.

All Medicare Supplement insurance plans require you to continue to pay your Part B premium and a separate premium for the Medigap coverage. Once you enroll and continue to pay your premium, your plan will renew each year.

What is covered?

Medicare Supplement insurance plans fully or partially cover:

  • Part A hospital coinsurance
  • Part B coinsurance or copays
  • Cost of first three pints of blood
  • Cost of 365 extra hospital days
  • Hospice care coinsurance

Medicare Supplement insurance plans may help pay:

  • Part A deductible
  • Part B deductible
  • Part B excess charges
  • Cost of foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits
  • Part A skilled nursing facility care coinsurance

Plan Costs for 2025

Premium

  • Insurance companies set their own plan premiums
  • Insurance plan premiums may change each year
  • Insurance plans with more coverage generally cost more
  • Premiums for the same insurance plans may vary by company

When to enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan

Medicare Supplement enrollment periods differ from other Medicare enrollment periods:

  • Insurers must offer a six-month open enrollment period to all Medicare beneficiaries beginning with the first month in which the beneficiary first enrolled for benefits under Medicare Part B.

Enrollment period for Medicare Supplement:

  • Medicare Supplement open enrollment begins on the first day of the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.

During this period, insurers are:

  • Required to offer a Medicare Supplement policy to all enrollees, regardless of their health status.
  • Required to charge the same to both healthy individuals and those with medical conditions.

After this six-month period ends, insurers are allowed to use medical underwriting to determine:

  • Acceptance into the plan
  • And how much you will be charged

Did you know?

While Medicare Supplement insurance plans are not part of Medicare, they can play an important role to help bridge the gaps in your Medicare coverage.

Questions about our Medicare coverage?

800-752-6650 (TTY 711)
[email protected]

Phone hours:               
Medicare Advantage: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week
All other inquiries: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday

Helpful links

Kansas Insurance Department | Required Statements and Disclosures | Medicare.gov | Social Security Administration

Disclaimers

Medicare Supplement is offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Solutions, a wholly owned subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas. Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Solutions is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. By providing information to Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas Solutions a Medicare Advisor may contact you.

e715F 08/23 Rev, 08/23