Medigap Enrollees 3 Times Less Likely To Have Trouble Paying Bills

WASHINGTON, D.C. – (March 10, 2022) – Every American deserves access to affordable, equitable, high-quality care. One of the ways in which health insurance providers deliver for them is by providing many affordable choices among Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans.  For millions of enrollees in original Medicare, purchasing Medicare Supplement coverage helps fill gaps that better support their health and financial security. A new report released today by AHIP’s Center for Policy Research examines trends in Medicare Supplement insurance and highlights the financial value these plans offer to seniors and people with disabilities.

“Medigap protects the health and financial well-being of millions of seniors,” said Jeanette Thornton, AHIP Senior Vice President of Product, Employer, and Commercial Policy.  “Because it covers out-of-pocket costs that original Medicare doesn’t, it’s an important resource that helps enrollees budget for medical expenses. As a result, more seniors are choosing these plans – and they are benefiting from the additional protection they offer.”

Today’s report demonstrates that Americans highly value their Medicare Supplement coverage:

• Medicare enrollees with Medicare Supplement coverage were 3 times less likely to have problems paying medical bills compared to enrollees without Medicare Supplement policies.

• Among original Medicare enrollees without additional insurance coverage (such as Medicaid, employer-provided insurance, etc.), 53% chose Medicare Supplement coverage in 2020.

• Between December 2017 and December 2020, the share of original Medicare beneficiaries who purchase Medicare Supplement coverage increased from 35% to 39%.

Sources for the 2022 report are the 2020 National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) data, 2020 California Department of Managed Health Care data, and 2019 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) results.

Read the report.