Watch for these 3 Medigap shopping surprises to avoid overpaying

By ALEX ROSENBERG of NerdWallet

Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, can help pay for Medicare Part A and/or Part B copays, coinsurance and deductibles, but shopping for plans isn’t always straightforward. Shoppers should know that because Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, plans with the same letter name offer the same Medicare benefits, regardless of company or price. In some cases, a lower-coverage plan isn’t necessarily cheaper — there may be higher-coverage options available for lower premiums. And when companies offer add-ons like wellness, dental, vision and hearing plans, prices might vary in unexpected ways. It’s worth comparing quotes carefully to confirm that you’re not paying more than you need to.