Which statement best describes the relationship between Medicare benefits and Medicare Supplement benefits?

• A. Medicare Supplement benefits replace Medicare benefits
• B. Medicare benefits are unrelated to Medicare Supplement benefits
• C. Medicare Supplement benefits duplicate Medicare benefits
• D. Medicare Supplement benefits fill gaps and must not duplicate Medicare benefits

Answer: (C)

Medicare supplements are designed to fill gaps in Medicare coverage and act as a secondary payer. They coordinate with Medicare, which pays first for covered services, and the supplement covers the remaining out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. This means the plan helps with costs Medicare doesn’t fully cover, rather than paying for the same benefits Medicare already pays. So the correct way to describe the relationship is that Medicare Supplement benefits fill gaps and must not duplicate Medicare benefits. For example, if Medicare covers a portion of a bill but leaves a copayment or deductible, the Medigap plan can help pay those remaining costs, depending on the plan.