Are Medicare Supplement plans the same thing as "Medicare Secondary Insurance"?

Question

Larry Dalton · Accepted Answer

Yes. Medicare supplement plans are often referred to as Medigap plans. These plans work in conjunction with your traditional Medicare, but do not take the place of traditional Medicare, as Medicare Advantage plans do.

Answered by Larry Dalton on April 29, 2025

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Michael Yost · Answer

No. A supplement plan is not health insurance. A supplement plan "supplements" Medicare health insurance. A secondary insurance would be having 2 insurance plans, one would be primary, one would be secondary.

Answered by Michael Yost on May 1, 2025

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Fred Manas · Answer

No, Medicare Supplement plans are not the same as "Medicare Secondary Insurance", although they are related. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, are extra insurance purchased to cover gaps in Original Medicare.
"Medicare Secondary Insurance" refers to a situation where Medicare is the second insurance payer after another primary insurance. While a Medigap plan can function as secondary insurance to Original Medicare, it's not the only type of secondary insurance that can exist.

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

No, Medicare Supplement plans and "Medicare Secondary Insurance" are not exactly the same, though they are related. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, are specific types of secondary insurance designed to cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover.

Answered by Vachik Chakhbazian on April 26, 2025

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Tony Hardwick · Answer

No. A Medicare Supplement plan is a private health insurance policy that helps cover out of pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare. A Medicare Secondary Payer refers to situations where Medicare pays after another insurance plan has already paid.

Answered by Tony Hardwick on April 28, 2025

Agent Licensed in GA, AZ, CA & 15 other states

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Dominic Javier · Answer

Yes, they are terminologies referring to same nature.  In the Medicare industry, it is know as Medicare Supplement Plan or Medigap sold by private insurance companies to augment your Medicare plan.

Babs Atwell · Answer

In the Medicare billing realm, these terms are interchangeable. However, typically having secondary coverage to Medicare, you will coverage for items and services not normally covered by Medicare. Whereas a true Medicare Supplement will only cover the percentage left over after Medicare has paid their portion, only covering the items and services already covered by traditional Medicare.

Answered by Babs Atwell on May 1, 2025

Broker Licensed in OH

Answered by Babs Atwell Medicare Insurance Agent

Brianna Douros · Answer

Yes, a Supplemental Plan can be referred to as Secondary Insurance. It can also be referred to as a Medigap plan. When you have both Medicare and a Secondary Insurance, it will act as a secondary payer, covering expenses that Medicare does not. This coordination helps reduce out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries.

Answered by Brianna Douros on April 30, 2025

Broker Licensed in VA, CO & TX

Answered by Brianna Douros Medicare Insurance Agent

William Scott · Answer

Medicare Supplements are known as Medigap plans. They are also sometimes referred to as Secondary Insurance.

Brandon Brown · Answer

Yes, “Medicare Supplement” and “Medicare Secondary Insurance” usually mean the same thing.

Both refer to insurance that pays after Medicare — helping cover costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that Medicare doesn’t fully pay. The official name is Medicare Supplement Insurance (or Medigap), but a lot of people casually call it “secondary insurance” because it acts after Medicare pays first.

Quick tip: Not all “secondary insurance” is a Medigap plan — some people might have secondary coverage through a retiree plan, Medicaid, or an employer too. But if you’re buying it yourself specifically to fill Medicare’s gaps, it’s a Medicare Supplement.

Stella Hattox · Answer

YES, they pick up deductibles and co insurance.  However, if Medicare does not cover it, the Supplement ( also known as Medigap) will not cover it either.

Are Medicare Supplement plans the same thing as "Medicare Secondary Insurance"?

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Are Medicare Supplement plans the same thing as "Medicare Secondary Insurance"?

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