Paying for care
Medigap (Medicare supplement insurance)
Medigap is private insurance that helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. You generally need Part A and Part B to buy a policy. Medigap works with Original Medicare. It does not replace Medicare.
Why it matters for your family
Medigap can make hospital and doctor bills more predictable. It does not turn Medicare into long-term care insurance. Medicare says it does not pay for long-term care, including custodial care at home, and most other health plans, including Medigap, do not either. A family that buys Medigap expecting it to pay for a daily home caregiver will be disappointed. Medigap is for medical cost-sharing. For help with daily living, families look at private pay, long-term care insurance, veterans benefits, or Medicaid. A State Health Insurance Assistance Program counselor can explain current rules for free.
Source: medicare.gov
Read more: What Medicare Doesn't Cover
Related terms
- Medicare Part AMedicare Part A is hospital insurance.
- Medicare Part BMedicare Part B is medical insurance.
- Medicare Advantage (Part C)Medicare Advantage, also called Part C, is a Medicare-approved health plan sold by a private company.
- Long-term care insuranceLong-term care insurance is a private policy that pays for help with daily living when a person can no longer manage alone.
- Medicare coverage of custodial careCustodial care is non-skilled personal care, such as help with bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)A State Health Insurance Assistance Program is a free, state-run counseling service for people with Medicare and their families.
