Medigap Plans and Their Impact on Hearing Health

Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a type of extra insurance. You can buy a Medigap policy from a private health insurance company to help you cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't cover.

These out-of-pocket costs are often referred to as "gaps" in coverage, which can include:

• Copayments
• Coinsurance
• Deductibles

To buy a Medigap policy, you’ll need Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). [1]

As you look at plans, you’ll see they are standardized and identified by letters (e.g., Plan G or Plan N). Their primary goal is to protect you from unexpected out-of-pocket costs for medically necessary services that Original Medicare already covers, such as hospital stays and doctor visits.

It can be easy to confuse Medigap with Medicare Advantage, but there are distinct differences between the two. When comparing Medigap vs Medicare Advantage, you’ll want to understand the differences in hearing coverage:

●      Medigap. Working alongside Original Medicare, it allows you to see doctors who accept Medicare. Standard Medigap plans generally do not include dental, vision, or hearing coverage, although some carriers may offer separate “new” or "innovative" benefits. [3] Medicare Advantage (Part C). These are "bundled" plans offered by private companies. They replace Original Medicare and often include extra benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and, crucially, routine hearing exams and hearing aid coverage.

People may assume that because they have Original Medicare and Medigap, they don’t need any other hearing care coverage. But hearing aid benefits are more commonly available in Medicare Advantage plans.

Because Amplifon partners with many insurance providers to offer discounted hearing aids and services, beneficiaries sometimes assume that any Medicare-connected insurance plan will unlock these benefits. It is important to verify your specific coverage:

• If you have a Medigap plan, you likely do not have a funded hearing-aid benefit under that policy.
• However, you may still have access to Amplifon’s savings programs. Want to know for sure? Call our team at (877) 934-0743 and verify your benefits.

A Note of Advice: Always check your plan's details. If you have Medigap and are facing high costs for hearing care, there are options out there. While your Medicare coverage may not foot the bill, organizations like Amplifon can often help you access high-quality hearing technology at significantly lower negotiated rates.

Learn about Amplifon’s approach to hearing insurance.