Medicare Supplement (Medigap) in WA & FL

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers a lot, but it leaves you responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and copays — with no annual cap on what you could owe. Medicare Supplement insurance, or Medigap, is private coverage that pays many of those out-of-pocket costs, turning unpredictable medical bills into predictable premiums. Because Medigap plans are federally standardized by letter, the benefits of a given plan are identical between carriers — so price and company stability are what differ. Maru helps Washington and Florida beneficiaries compare Medigap the right way.

How Medigap fits with Medicare

Note: you generally cannot use a Medigap policy with a Medicare Advantage plan — they're two different paths. We'll explain the trade-offs so you choose the one that fits.

Timing is everything

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six months starting when you're 65 and enrolled in Part B — is the golden window: during it, you have a guaranteed right to buy any Medigap plan regardless of health, with no medical underwriting. Miss it, and in most cases insurers can screen your health and decline or surcharge you. We make sure you understand this window so you don't accidentally forfeit guaranteed access to the plan you want.

Washington and Florida notes

Washington is unusually consumer-friendly: it allows Medigap enrollees to change plans with guaranteed acceptance during a birthday-month window each year — a valuable right to re-shop as prices change. Florida's large Medicare population means abundant plan choices but also aggressive marketing; independent, pressure-free guidance matters. In both states we compare standardized plans across carriers on price and stability, and coordinate a Part D drug plan so your whole Medicare picture works together.

How Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans work

Medigap policies are standardized by the federal government and labeled with letters, so a Plan G from one company covers the same benefits as a Plan G from another — the price and the company's service are what differ. That standardization makes an apples-to-apples comparison possible, which is exactly what an independent agency does for you.

• Standardized letter plans. Plans are sold as lettered options (such as A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N). Plans C and F are no longer available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
• Popular choices. Plan G and Plan N are common picks today; a high-deductible Plan G trades a lower premium for a higher deductible.
• Any Medicare doctor. Because Medigap rides on Original Medicare, you can use any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare — no networks.
• Drugs are separate. Medigap does not include prescription coverage, so you'd typically pair it with a standalone Part D plan.
• Underwriting and timing. During your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment you can buy any plan with no health questions. Apply later and, in most states, you may face medical underwriting.

The parts of Medicare, explained in plain language

Medicare is built from parts that each do a different job. Understanding what each one does — and what it leaves out — is the first step to choosing coverage that actually fits your life.

Medicare enrollment periods and deadlines

Timing is one of the most important parts of Medicare. Enrolling in the right window protects you from penalties and gaps — and some windows only come around once. Here are the periods that matter most:

What Original Medicare doesn't cover

Original Medicare is strong, but it has real gaps. Knowing them up front helps you decide what extra coverage — if any — is worth it for you. Original Medicare generally does not cover:

• Routine dental care, dentures, most vision and eyeglasses, or hearing aids
• Prescription drugs you take at home (that's Part D's job)
• Long-term custodial care, such as an extended nursing-home stay
• Most care outside the United States
• An annual cap on your out-of-pocket spending under Parts A and B

A Medigap policy, a Medicare Advantage plan, or standalone add-ons can each fill different gaps. We help you weigh which gaps are worth covering for your health and budget — without pushing you toward anything you don't need.

Help paying for Medicare

Several programs can lower what you pay for Medicare, and many people who qualify never apply. If money is tight, it's worth checking — we can point you in the right direction at no cost:

• Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy). Federal help that lowers Part D drug costs, including premiums, deductibles, and copays, for people with limited income and resources.
• Medicare Savings Programs. State programs (such as QMB, SLMB, and QI) that can help pay Part B premiums and, in some cases, other costs.
• Free counseling. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program offers free, unbiased Medicare help — SHIBA in Washington and SHINE in Florida.

Questions worth asking before you choose a plan

Whether you work with us or shop on your own, these questions cut through the noise and keep the decision focused on what matters to you:

• Are my doctors and preferred hospital in the plan's network?
• Are all of my prescriptions on the plan's drug list, and at what tier?
• What will I actually pay in a normal year — and in a bad one?
• Do I travel or split time between states, and will my coverage travel with me?
• How much provider freedom do I want versus a lower premium?
• If my health changes later, can I switch — and would I face health questions?

A quick Medicare glossary

Frequently asked questions

Vadim Marusin — Maru Insurance
Licensed independent insurance agent (NPN 22261820) · WA & FL
Written and reviewed by Vadim Marusin, a licensed independent insurance agent. Maru Insurance is an independent agency (WA License WAOIC #1365574, FL License #G363233) representing multiple A-rated carriers across Washington and Florida.