medigap

American  

[med-i-gap] / ˈmɛd ɪˌgæp /

noun

1. (sometimes initial capital letter) private health insurance that supplements coverage for people already covered by government insurance.

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Etymology

Origin of medigap

medi(cal) + gap, on the model of Medicare

Example Sentences

“But when something happens — and something always happens — and you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can’t switch back. You can switch into regular Medicare, but you’ll never get a medigap policy.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 25, 2023

The bad news is that Medicare pays 80% of the approved amount of a doctor or hospital bill, leaving you or your medigap plan to pay the remaining 20%.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 25, 2022

The early days of medigap plans for seniors in the 1970s were marked by lax regulation, expensive policies, a lack of standards and consumer confusion, he said.

From Washington Post • Feb. 6, 2014

If such a policy were implemented today, it could affect about 33 million people who receive traditional Medicare and have supplemental coverage through a former employer, a so-called medigap insurance plan and other sources.

From Reuters • Jun. 15, 2012

They were joined by the health-insurance industry, looking to protect its lucrative stake in private medigap insurance.

From Time Magazine Archive