Also known as Medigap, the Medicare Supplemental Insurance is a cover that fills the gaps left out by the original Medicare. It takes care of some aspects such as the Health care costs that are not catered for by the Medicare including the co-payments, co-insurance as well as the deductibles.

This means that American Seniors, when they use this plan, will get about 100% of coverage. It should not be confused with the Medicare Advantage plan, as it is not used to gain the benefits from Medicare, but used for getting the benefits that are not provided by Medicare Original Plan.

It is recommended that seniors should enroll in this plan as soon as they reach the retirement age. The seniors should know three things about this plan before they enroll. For starters, the Medicare supplemental Insurance plan was modified and has a number of choices from which the seniors can select. The Plan L and Plan K that will cover 75% and 50% of the Hospice part A co-insurance respectively, as a basic benefit. The Plan K, L and N will require the seniors to pay a portion of the co insurance and copayments of Part B, meaning that they will have lower premiums.

The other changes in the plan include the introduction of new plans such as Plan M and Plan N and the abolishment of Plans E, H, I and J. Those who already have the abolished plans have a choice of keeping them or selecting from other available plans. The other change is seen in Plans D and G, which come with different benefits as from June 1 2010, unlike the benefits accrued before this date. Those who have these plans prior to June 1, 2010 can keep their plans though the benefits will not change.

The other thing to note is that the Medigap policies must follow both the Federal and State laws designed to protect the American seniors. The companies should only sell them a standardized Medigap plan that contains the Letter A through N. All these plans should bear the same benefits, though they have different prices as per the policy of each company. Some of the states have open enrolment seasons where the seniors can enroll for these plans. It is important that they know that the companies cannot refuse to sell them any type of policies they have, or charge them an extra amount because of their health problems. The companies should not also make them wait for the start of their coverage, though there are a few exceptions in this case. The exception involves a pre-existing condition the client has before the date of the new policy.

For those whose current coverage ends when they turn 65, they should try to send their medical policy application before the enrollment period, as it will provide them with continuous coverage.