For consumer eligibility for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, which requirement must be met?

The requirement that the consumer must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to be eligible for a Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan is fundamental to accessing these supplemental benefits. Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly referred to as Medigap, is specifically designed to help cover some of the costs that are not fully paid by Medicare, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

Enrollment in Medicare Part A provides the individual with hospital insurance, while enrollment in Part B provides coverage for medical services. Both parts are essential for a consumer to adequately understand their Medicare coverage and to benefit from the additional financial assistance that a Medigap policy can offer.

Without enrollment in both parts, a consumer may not be facing the complete gaps in coverage that Medigap plans are designed to address, which confirms that only those fully enrolled in Medicare are suited for this supplementary coverage. This requirement ensures that consumers are properly situated in the Medicare system to gain the most benefit from a Medigap plan.