Medicare supplement plans are privately held supplementary insurance plans designed to plug some of the holes in Medicare coverage. Medicare only starts paying for the deductibles and out-of-pocket costs for health care services after you and Medicare have made your share of regular health care payments.

For people with Medicare benefits, this can be a bit of a problem. If you or someone in your family is without health insurance, Medicare Supplement Plans offer a way to bridge the gap without forcing you to become fully insured. In general, the higher the monthly premium you pay, the larger the benefit amount you’ll receive. To get maximum benefits from your Medicare Supplement Plan, you should explore all of your options and find the plan that’s right for you.

The two most popular Medicare Supplement Plans are: A and B. (They’re also the most expensive.) Here are tips to help you choose the best medicare supplement plans for you.

Start with your financial strength. Each year, you’ll receive an informational sheet called “stones,” which will provide you with an idea of your current financial strength. The higher your current financial strength, the better. Use these numbers to determine the maximum amount you’d be able to afford to cover each month as well as the maximum out-of-pocket expenses you’d be willing to cover.

It’s important to know your Medicare Supplement Plans’ coverage limits. Most Medigap policies offer a wide range of coverage for different health needs. This can include emergency care, prescriptions, doctor visits, hospital stays, durable medical equipment, health services, assisted living, occupational health, home health care, and mental health coverage. These plans also offer a wide variety of different options for physicians and providers. (To get the most out of your insurance, it’s best to speak with a representative of your plan directly to find out what options are available to you.)

Some people falsely believe that Medicare Advantage plans 2022 are mandatory, but that isn’t true. While they do affect your premiums, they are not part of the law and are entirely optional. If you are currently covered by another type of insurance or Medicare, you may wish to consider enrolling in Medicare Supplement plans to take advantage of everything your former coverage has to offer.

Medicare Supplement Plans can greatly increase your out-of-pocket expenses, but don’t let that scare you. There are several different types of plans, each with different benefits and costs. For this reason, it’s important to carefully review each policy and understand what it will do to help cover your medical expenses and medications.

Although you may be tempted to skip Medicare Supplement plans and go with traditional Medicare, doing so could have serious consequences, especially if you become injured. To avoid this unpleasant consequence, be sure to read your coverage agreement carefully and discuss any questions you might have with a representative of your plan.