Medicare supplement insurance is also called “Medigap” or “MedSupp.” It is private insurance designed to fill gaps in Medicare coverage and is sold by many companies. It is not sold by the government. Those eligible for employer-provided insurance or Medicaid assisted programs usually do not need Medicare Supplement insurance. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan Medicare supplement policies don’t pay benefits and aren’t needed. You can view all Medicare Supplements offered in Iowa in our
The benefits in each plan are identical from company to company. Review our Iowa Medicare Supplement & Premium Comparison guide for more information.
If you have an employer-sponsored retiree health plan or receive Medicaid benefits you may not need a Medicare supplement. Review our SHIIP factsheet, Getting Ready to Retire, for more information. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, a Medicare Supplement will not pay benefits. If you have any questions, contact SHIIP at (800) 351-4664 (TTY 800-735-2942).
A limited number of companies offer Medicare supplement insurance to those with disabilities. SHIIP-SMP’s Iowa Medicare Supplement & Premium Comparison Guide linked below lists those companies. It is important to note that only a few plans are guarantee issued. Policies that are guarantee issue will accept those with Medicare due to disability no matter what health conditions may exist. The waiting periods for pre-existing conditions should also be checked. Review the premium section of our