USAA Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan FAQ

Medigap is extra insurance that works alongside your Original Medicare coverage. It helps reduce your out-of-pocket costs for things like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

After Medicare pays for covered costs, Medigap steps in to help with some or all that's left, depending on the plan you choose.

This can help make your health care expenses more manageable and predictable.

You can enroll if you have Medicare Part A and Part B. You must also be 65 or older. If you're under 65, you need to qualify for Medicare due to a disability.

Medigap doesn't cover dental, vision, hearing, prescription drugs or long-term care.

But we've teamed up with leading insurance providers to make sure you get the coverage you need, including dental, vision and long-term care.

Your premium depends on the plan you choose, your age and where you live.

Medigap and Medicare Advantage are both ways to get additional coverage, but they work differently. Here's how they compare.

Medigap:

• Acts as a secondary insurance to Original Medicare, helping with out-of-pocket costs.
• Has no network restrictions, so you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare.
• Is guaranteed to renew as long as you keep paying your premium.
• Doesn't cover prescription drugs, so you would need a separate Part D plan.

Medicare Advantage:

• Replaces Original Medicare by combining Parts A, B and often D.
• Requires you to use the plan's network of providers.
• May offer extra benefits, including coverage for dental, vision or hearing.
• May affect your benefits and network if Medicare cancels or changes your policy without notice.

You can get a policy during your 6-month open enrollment period, which starts when you're 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You can also sign up 3 months before you turn 65 years old.

After the enrollment period, you may not be able to get a policy. It could also cost more. Unlike the Medicare open enrollment, this window only happens once.

One of our licensed insurance specialists can help guide you through the enrollment process.

You may have to pay higher premiums or wait for a policy to become available.

No. Medigap works with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage replaces it. You'll need to pick the one that works best for you.

You can apply to change plans at any time. But unless you have a guaranteed issue right, you may have to go through health underwriting. This means you may have to answer health questions or pay a higher premium.

A guaranteed issue right protects you from both, even if you have a health condition. You may qualify for it in different ways — for example, if you've lost other coverage or moved out of your plan's service area.

No, you'll need to call the insurance company that issued your policy to cancel it.

It depends on your plan. You can check with us before moving to discuss how it will affect your rate or coverage.

If you had Medigap because of a disability, you'll need to switch to a plan designed for people 65 and older.

This is also good time to review your options, update your benefits and check if a new plan might be a better fit.