Medigap Plans for Travelers and Snowbirds

Medigap is private insurance that helps pay some costs Original Medicare does not, such as certain coinsurance, copays and deductibles. It is also called Medicare Supplement insurance. It works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It does not replace it.

Medigap plans are standardized and labeled by letter. Only Plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M and N (and high-deductible Plan G) are sold to people newly eligible for Medicare. Plans C and F (and high-deductible F) are available only to people who became eligible before January 1, 2020. Plans E, H, I and J were discontinued and are not sold today, even though people still search for Plan H. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize Medigap differently.

For travelers and snowbirds, the key feature is that Medigap follows Original Medicare. You may see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, with no network and no referrals. Some plans may also include a limited benefit for emergency care outside the U.S. Which plans include it, and how it works, is worth confirming with a Medigap agent or the plan's carrier. Original Medicare generally does not cover care abroad.

Many snowbirds have looked at Medigap Plan G and Plan N because both are sold to newly eligible people and both work with any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide. Plan G generally leaves fewer out-of-pocket costs once the Part B deductible is met. Plan N generally has lower premiums but may involve some copays. Details vary by carrier, state and age.

Others have compared Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans often have lower monthly premiums, an annual out-of-pocket maximum, extra benefits like dental and vision, and drug coverage in many plans. Trade-offs can include provider networks, prior authorization and copays. Some plans cover urgent or emergency care when traveling, while routine care away from home may be limited. Rules differ by plan.

Medigap has trade-offs too. Premiums are generally higher. Outside open enrollment or guaranteed issue periods, you may face medical underwriting. Drug coverage requires a separate Part D plan, and routine dental, vision and hearing are usually not included. Neither approach is right for everyone.

A Medigap agent is a licensed professional who may help you compare plans in the state where you are enrolled. Many agents can work with several carriers. They may help you understand how a plan would work when you are in your second home state or on a trip. They may also explain how your home address and where you receive care fit together.

A conversation is generally a simple chat about your travel habits, your doctors, your current coverage and your budget. You can ask how long you can be away, how a plan handles care in another state, and whether a Part D plan has pharmacy access where you stay. It may also help to ask what a plan may include for emergencies abroad.

Good questions include: What happens if I need care in my other state? Does this plan have a foreign travel emergency benefit? How do enrollment timing and underwriting apply to me? Call 1-800-MEDIGAP for more information. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) and Medicare.gov are also helpful, and neutral places to check.