Medicare is a national health insurance scheme which helps pay medical costs for people aged sixty-five and over. It covers a range of health care divided into Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). Hospital Insurance covers the costs of hospital treatment and some benefits for skilled nursing and home aftercare. Medical Insurance covers doctors’ bills, hospital treatment as an outpatient, and other allowed costs not covered by Hospital Insurance.

Because a standard Medicare policy does not cover everything, a range of Medicare Supplement Plans (sometimes called “MediGap Insurance”) have been created to provide the option of covering a wider range of treatments and care. These supplements are available in ten standard plans (although not all States approve all supplements and some offer additions). and are sold by private insurance companies.

The supplements may either provide extra money for expenses that Medicare does not meet in full, or they may extend the range of healthcare to include treatments and care that Medicare does not finance or only finances for a limited period. Among such additional features are extended hospital care, longer periods of nursing home, some overseas emergency care, and contribution to costs of prescription drugs.

Because the range of supplements available is large and very detailed, and what you get depends entirely on the Supplement plan you select it is a good idea to get expert advice on what different supplement plans offer in your State before buying MediGap Insurance.

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