Is enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B required to qualify for a Medigap plan?

Enrollment in both Medicare Part A and Part B is indeed required to qualify for a Medigap plan. A Medigap policy, which is designed to supplement Original Medicare, helps cover some of the out-of-pocket costs not paid by Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. In order to obtain a Medigap policy, individuals must be enrolled in both parts of Medicare because the insurance is contingent upon the coverage provided by Parts A and B.

Part A covers hospital insurance, while Part B covers outpatient medical services. Medigap plans work alongside these parts to fill in the gaps of coverage. Therefore, having both parts ensures that Medigap offers comprehensive support and that applicants can utilize the benefits effectively.

This requirement is crucial in maintaining the integrity of coverage that Medigap plans are meant to provide, tying directly into the way Medicare benefits are structured. Since some responses suggest that only one part of Medicare is necessary or that state regulations might allow for different interpretations, these notions would not align with the foundational requirements set forth at the federal level regarding Medigap eligibility.