Medicare Supplement

Medigap in Bear, DE: What Medicare Supplement Really Covers

BEAR, Del. — If you're turning 65 in Bear or helping a parent sort through Medicare mail, you've probably seen the term "Medigap" or "Medicare Supplement." These plans have been around for decades, but the way they're labeled — by letters like A, G, and N — still confuses a lot of people.

Medicare Supplement insurance, explained for Bear residents

Here's a plain-language guide to what Medigap does, what it doesn't do, and how the standardized letters work.

What Medigap actually does

Medigap is private insurance you can buy to work alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It doesn't replace Medicare. Instead, it helps pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind — things like the Part A hospital deductible, coinsurance for hospital stays, and the 20% you'd otherwise owe for doctor visits and outpatient care under Part B.

If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, you still pay your Part B premium each month. A Medigap plan is an extra premium on top of that, in exchange for more predictable bills when you use care.

One important note: Medigap only works with Original Medicare. If you're enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you cannot use a Medigap policy at the same time.

What Medigap does NOT cover

This trips people up, so it's worth being clear. A Medicare Supplement policy generally does not cover:

• Prescription drugs. For that, you'd need a separate Part D drug plan. In 2026, Part D has a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615. The old "donut hole" was eliminated in 2025, so there are now three coverage phases instead of four.
• Routine dental, vision, or hearing care.
• Long-term care (like a nursing home stay that isn't skilled care).
• Hearing aids, eyeglasses, or private-duty nursing.

If any of those matter to you, you'll need to plan for them separately.

How the standardized letters work

Here's the part that makes Medigap easier than it looks: the plans are standardized by the federal government. That means Plan G from one insurance company covers the same core benefits as Plan G from another company. The price can differ, and customer service can differ — but the benefits inside the letter are the same.

The letters currently sold to people newly eligible for Medicare are:

• Plan A — the most basic set of benefits.
• Plan B — adds the Part A hospital deductible.
• Plan D — broader coverage, no Part B deductible coverage.
• Plan G — one of the most comprehensive letters available to new enrollees; covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible.
• Plan K and Plan L — lower premiums with cost-sharing (you pay a percentage until you hit an out-of-pocket limit).
• Plan M — splits the Part A deductible.
• Plan N — lower premium than G, with small copays for some office and ER visits.

Two older plans, Plan C and Plan F, are no longer sold to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date, you may still be able to buy them.

Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their Medigap plans differently, but in Delaware — including Bear and the rest of New Castle County — the letter system above is what you'll see.

The best time to buy: your Medigap Open Enrollment

This is the single most important date to know. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window that starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B.

During that window, insurance companies in Delaware must sell you any Medigap plan they offer at their best available rate, regardless of your health history. After that window closes, they can generally use medical underwriting — meaning they can charge you more, or turn you down, based on pre-existing conditions.

Missing this window is one of the more expensive Medicare mistakes people make. If you're approaching 65 in Bear, put it on the calendar.

How to decide which letter fits

There isn't a single "right" letter — it depends on how you use care and what kind of predictability you want. A few questions to ask yourself:

• Do I want the most predictable bills possible, even if the premium is higher? Plans like G tend to appeal to people who want fewer surprises.
• Am I comfortable with small copays in exchange for a lower monthly premium? Plan N is built around that trade-off.
• Do I rarely go to the doctor and want the lowest premium? Plans K or L cap your yearly out-of-pocket costs but ask you to share more along the way.
• Do I also need drug coverage? Remember, you'll need a separate Part D plan. And if your income is above $109,000 as a single filer in 2026, IRMAA surcharges may apply to your Part B and Part D premiums.

Bear is in New Castle County, where several insurers sell Medigap policies. Because the benefits inside each letter are standardized, comparing prices for the same letter across companies is a fair apples-to-apples comparison.

A quick FAQ

Can I switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare and add a Medigap plan? You can switch during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31) or the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7). But outside your initial Medigap Open Enrollment, insurers may use medical underwriting when you apply for a Medigap policy. Talk to Delaware's SHIP before making the move.

Does Medigap cover me when I travel outside Delaware? Yes. Because Medigap works with Original Medicare, it travels with you anywhere in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. Some letters also include limited foreign travel emergency coverage.

Is Medigap the same as Medicare Advantage? No. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare, run by private insurers with their own networks and rules. Medigap works with Original Medicare to fill in cost-sharing gaps. You can't have both at once.

Do Medigap premiums go up over time? They can. Insurers use different pricing methods — some rates rise with age, some don't — so ask how a policy is priced before you enroll.

Where to get trustworthy help

For personalized answers, start with official sources:

• Medicare.gov has a plan finder and a Medigap comparison tool.
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) is available 24/7.
• Delaware's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free, unbiased counseling to Bear residents and can walk you through your options one-on-one.

Take your time, ask questions, and don't let anyone rush you into a decision. Medigap is a long-term choice, and the right fit is the one that matches how you actually use care.