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Linda Brandwin, R.N.

Linda Brandwin is a registered nurse and a medical billing and claims specialist. For the past 10 years she has worked directly with insurance companies to give advice and guidance to the health care consumer.

Readers may send email or write Linda Brandwin at 5500 Single Oak Hill Ct., Woodbridge, VA 22192.

What is the difference between secondary and supplemental insurance?
Nov. 28, 2003

Q: I have Medicare. What is the difference between secondary and supplemental insurance?

A: Supplemental insurance is the same as Medigap. This is an additional health care policy to regular Medicare. It is sold by private insurance companies to fill the gaps from Medicare coverage. There are ten basic plans with different degrees of coverage. You must evaluate your needs and match them to the policy that will best suit you. These supplemental policies can cover Medicare deductibles, some drug costs, Medicare co-insurance and other services that Medicare does not cover. Comparison shopping is necessary. The ten plans are standard for every insurance company, but the premiums vary with each company.

Secondary insurance indicates the order of payment for your medical claims. In other words, some policies are the primary payor. Other policies are the secondary payor.

The medical claim will first go to the primary insurance company who will in turn pay their primary benefits. Then the claim will be sent to your secondary insurance for additional coverage that was not paid by the primary insurance company.

Therefore, your Medigap or supplemental policy to Medicare is also acting as a secondary insurance policy.




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