Medigap plans started in 1966. They are also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance and were insurance policies designed to supplement Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans were introduced in 1966, the same year that Medicare was enacted. Initially, only a few standardized Medigap plans were offered, but over time, the number of plan options increased, leading to confusion and difficulty in comparing plans. In 1992, the federal government enacted legislation to standardize Medigap policies and make them easier to understand. This legislation standardized the benefits offered by Medigap plans, so that the same benefits would be offered under the same letter designations regardless of where a person lived. Since then, Medigap policies have become a popular way for Medicare beneficiaries to help fill the gaps in their original Medicare coverage.
There are now ten standardized Medigap plans available in most states, labeled A through N. Each plan offers a different level of coverage, and the specific benefits covered by each plan are standardized by the federal government. Please note that while many plans are available, most clients enroll in Medigap F, G, and N.
Please remember that not all plans are available in every state, and some states may offer additional variations of Medigap plans not available in other states.
Medicare, the U.S. federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older and for certain younger people with disabilities, was signed into law on July 30, 1965 and started on July 1, 1966. As we mentioned, Medigap started at the exact same time.
Medicare Advantage (also known as Medicare Part C) is a program that allows Medicare beneficiaries to receive their Medicare benefits through private health insurance plans, instead of traditional fee-for-service Medicare. The program was created as part of the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 and started on January 1, 2004.
Medicare Part D, the prescription drug benefit program under Medicare, started in 2006. Drug plans were first established under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003. The program was implemented on January 1, 2006, and provides coverage for outpatient prescription drugs to Medicare beneficiaries who choose to enroll in a Part D plan.
Now that you know the history of Medigap’s start, it is time to get a quote to see how much they cost. If you want to discuss the plans with our team, give us a call at 800-930-7956. We do not charge for our service and would be happy to discuss your situation with no obligation to purchase coverage.
Please consider the date when this article was first published. Medicare and Medicare insurance product information are subject to change. Visit Medicare.gov or search our article database for our most recent updates.
