Eligibility for Medicare Supplement coverage

Because Medicare Supplement policies complement your Original Medicare coverage, you must be enrolled in Part A and Part B to be eligible for this type of policy. You’ll also need to stay enrolled in Original Medicare for your hospital and medical coverage. Medicare Supplement plans aren’t meant to provide stand-alone health coverage; these plans just help with certain out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

If you’re under 65 and have Medicare because of disability, end-stage renal disease, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, your eligibility for Medicare Supplement coverage may depend on the state that you live in. Not every state offers Medicare Supplement plans to beneficiaries under 65 (see the section below for more information on Medicare Supplement eligibility if you’re under 65).

In addition, keep in mind that Medicare Supplement plans don’t include prescription drug benefits (Medicare Part D). In the past, some Medicare Supplement plans may have included this coverage, but plans sold today don’t include prescription drug benefits. If you have an older Medicare Supplement policy with prescription drug coverage, make sure this coverage is “creditable” (as good as the Part D benefit), or you could pay a late-enrollment penalty later on if you sign up for Part D later on.

Since Medigap plans don’t include prescription drug benefits, if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare and want help with prescription drug costs, you can get this coverage by enrolling in a stand-alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan.

When it comes to considering your Medicare options, you can spend hours doing your own research or you can speak to a local, licensed agent with Ashford Insurance. Your agent will compare your options to find the coverage that’s right for you at a price that fits your budget. All at no cost and no obligation to you. With an Ashford Insurance agent, you get the benefit of great counsel along with great choices.