Medigap FAQs

Cancer treatment comes with a range of medical expenses. It's essential to understand how Medicare plans can assist in covering the costs of cancer treatment.

Medigap is Medicare Supplement Insurance that helps fill "gaps" in Original Medicare. While Medicare covers a significant portion of cancer treatment bills, it may not pay them in full. Medigap may be used to offset out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer treatment.

Here are some frequently asked questions about Medigap: 

Do cancer patients need a Medigap plan?

Having a Medigap plan won’t completely eliminate cancer treatment costs, but it can ease the burden since it covers out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by Original Medicare. Before any cancer treatment, it's important to verify that the doctor or group accepts Medicare. This ensures your Medicare and Medicare supplemental insurance will be properly applied. Moffitt Cancer Center and Moffitt Medical Group accept Original Medicare, Medicare Supplements and Medicare Advantage plans.

What are some cancer-related medical expenses?

There is a range of expenses during cancer treatment including but not limited to:

• Diagnostic services, including X-rays, ultrasounds, mammography, MRIs and CTs
• Labwork
• Pathology services 
• Hospital and surgical costs, including anesthesia
• Radiation treatment
• Chemotherapy
• Physical therapy
• Home healthcare  

What do I need to know if I want to buy a Medigap policy?

Depending on your medical situation, you could need more or less coverage.

• Compare plans and try to evaluate costs, risk and consider your health status
• Decide on a plan you want to buy
• Pick your policy
• Contact the company

When is the best time to purchase a Medigap policy?

The Medigap six-month open enrollment period begins the month you turn 65. During this time you cannot be charged a higher premium or denied coverage due to a pre-existing health condition, including cancer. Medicare's annual opportunity to review and adjust coverage each year doesn't apply to Medicare supplement plans (Medigap). 

There are other times when patients get an opportunity to buy Medigap insurance for 60 days.

• The patient, through no fault of their own, lost a group health plan (GHP) that covered your Medicare cost-sharing (meaning it paid secondary to Medicare)
• The patient joined a Medicare Advantage Plan when they first became eligible for Medicare and disenrolled within 12 months
• The patient’s previous Medigap policy, Medicare Advantage Plan, or PACE program ended its coverage or commits fraud
• The patient moves out of the service area of their current plan

Please refer to Medicare.gov for more information. 

We've prepared some questions to ask your insurance company before you enroll in a Medicare plan.

For more information, call 813-745-7300 or email FCUinsuranceNavigator@Moffitt.org. For general Medicare information, call the government's helpline at 1-800-633-4227 or visit Medicare.gov.

Check if Moffitt Cancer Center and Moffitt Medical Group are in-network for your health plan.