What is Medigap?

No. You cannot have a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. Medigap works only with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). If you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot also use a Medigap policy.

Medigap helps pay for out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully cover. This includes deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Some Medigap plans also cover emergency medical care when traveling outside the U.S. Medigap does not cover services like dental, vision, hearing, or prescription drugs.

In some cases, yes. Medigap premiums can be tax deductible as a medical expense if you itemize deductions and your total medical expenses exceed a certain percentage of your income. Tax rules vary, so check with a tax professional to see what applies in your situation.

You can apply to switch Medigap plans at any time, but in most cases, the plan may require you to answer health questions, or underwriting. This means an insurance company can deny coverage or charge more based on your health. Your best time to enroll or switch without underwriting is within your six-month initial enrollment period, which begins when you turn 65 and have enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.