More traditional Medicare enrollees are adding Medigap plans: 5 things to know

The share of original Medicare enrollees adding Medicare supplement plans is on the rise, according to a report from AHIP. 

The report, published April 6, found that 54 percent of Medicare enrollees without another form of additional coverage chose Medicare supplement plans. 

Here are five findings to note from the report: 

1. The percentage of original Medicare enrollees purchasing supplement coverage grew from 35 percent to 41 percent between 2017 and 2021. 
   
   
2. Medicare supplement enrollees were less likely to report having trouble paying medical bills than those without additional coverage. Three percent of Medicare supplement enrollees said they had trouble paying medical bills in the last 12 months, compared with 8 percent of enrollees without supplemental coverage. 
   
   
3. Many Medicare supplement policyholders had lower incomes. According to the report, 11 percent had incomes under $20,000 annually. Among rural Medicare supplement members, 17 percent had incomes under $20,000. 
   
   
4. Iowa had the highest rate of original Medicare enrollees in Medicare supplement plans, with 65.2 percent adding supplemental coverage. 
   
   
5. Eleven states had more than 50 percent of original Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare supplement plans.