Medicare supplemental plans, also known as Medigap plans, are insurance policies that help seniors meet health care costs not covered in their original Medicare plan. Accepted at all Advocate Health Care hospitals and health centers, Medigap is available to seniors who have Medicare Parts A and B. You can enroll during a six-month period that begins after you sign up for Medicare Part B.

Medigap consists of 10 different plans ranging from “A,” the most basic and least expensive, to “J,” the most comprehensive and costly. But which one works for you? If you have a Medicare HMO, you do not need a Medigap supplement. However, few HMOs remain available in many areas.

According to Fran Conway, a Medicare counselor at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, seniors should take the time to compare each plan’s benefits and premiums. “While all Medigap plans cover basic benefits—in-hospital care, coverage for Medicare Part B co-insurance and the first three pints of blood a year—the higher-end plans also cover things like prescription drugs and at-home recovery,” she says.

While the advanced policies do cover a wider range of benefits, “many seniors find that common plans, like C, D and F, work well for their personal health needs—they cover several common health care costs, but do so at a more affordable premium,” adds Conway.

A Senior Advocate counselor can help you understand Medigap’s benefits and find the best plan for you.