A Medicare Supplement Insurance policy (or “Medigap” policy), sold by private companies, helps pay some of the health care costs (or “gaps”) that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Original Medicare pays for many, but not all, health care services and supplies. A Medicare Supplement Insurance policy (or “Medigap” policy), sold by private companies, helps pay some of the health care costs (or “gaps”) that Original Medicare doesn’t cover – like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Some Medigap policies also offer coverage for services that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like medical care when you travel outside the U.S. If you have Original Medicare and you buy a Medigap policy, Medicare will pay its share of the Medicare-approved amount for covered health care costs. Then, your Medigap policy pays its share.

Original Medicare plans do not pay for most regular or preventative dental, vision or hearing care. So any routine dental appointments or vision exams will not be paid for. Medicare usually only pays for dental care needed to treat and/or diagnose an illness. For vision, Medicare will usually pay for vision exams or eyewear that is related to specific illness or surgery as well. This is where additional insurance outside of your basic Medicare plan is helpful.

Hospital indemnity insurance is a flexible supplemental coverage plan meant to pay for the costs from a hospital admission that might not be covered by your normal insurance. Policyholders are able to choose a plan based on a specific, fixed-amount benefit for each day you’re in the hospital.

• Covering any lost income and helping continue the same standard of living
• Paying off any debts
• Paying for your children’s education
• Covering funeral and related costs