Which type of policy is primarily designed to pay a portion of the medical expenses not covered by Medicare?

A Medicare Supplement policy, often referred to as Medigap, is specifically designed to cover the gaps in Medicare coverage. Medicare pays for a significant portion of medical expenses for eligible individuals, but there are still out-of-pocket costs such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles that beneficiaries are responsible for. The purpose of a Medicare Supplement policy is to help offset these additional costs, making healthcare more affordable for those who rely on Medicare.

These policies can cover a variety of services not fully paid for by Medicare, including hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, and certain outpatient services, thereby providing valuable financial support to seniors and other recipients. It's important for beneficiaries to understand how these policies work in conjunction with their Medicare benefits to ensure they are adequately covered.

Other types of insurance mentioned, such as disability income policies or critical illness policies, serve different purposes and do not specifically address the gaps in Medicare coverage. A Medicare Advantage policy, while related to Medicare, is an alternative to original Medicare rather than a supplement, as it provides its own benefits and may include additional coverage options.