What is a requirement for benefits from a Medicare Supplement policy?

For benefits from a Medicare Supplement policy, it is essential that they must not duplicate Medicare benefits. Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap policies, are designed to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

The purpose of these policies is to enhance the benefits provided by Medicare rather than replicate them. This ensures that the additional coverage offered by a Medigap plan effectively complements Medicare's existing benefits, providing more comprehensive healthcare coverage without redundancy.

While it's true that a Medicare Supplement policy must enhance the benefits provided by Medicare and is offered by private insurers, the critical requirement is that it specifically addresses the gaps without covering items that Medicare already covers, thus avoiding unnecessary duplication of benefits. The coverage of long-term care is not a requisite for Medicare Supplement plans; in fact, such long-term care coverage typically requires different types of insurance policies. Therefore, the focus on avoiding duplication of benefits is what defines the relationship between a Medicare Supplement policy and Medicare.