Turn to gap or supplemental health insurance for an affordable way to cover your out-of-pocket medical expenses.
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Gap health insurance and supplemental health insurance plans help reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses. These plans cover services major medical plans don’t cover or don’t pay for in full. For example, if your health insurance company pays for 70% of all covered services, that means you need to pay the other 30%. Gap or supplemental health insurance can pay for some or all of the remaining balance.
The best gap or supplemental health insurance plan offers the coverage you need at a price that’s affordable for your budget. Keep reading to learn more about the best affordable gap and health insurance options.
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Health Insurance Company | Financial Strength Rating | Customer Satisfaction Rating | Value Rating | Coverage Rating | Overall Rating |
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Aetna: Best rated | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
AIG: Best accident insurance | 4.5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4.1 |
Golden Rule: Best for critical illness | 4.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4.9 |
IHC Health Group: Best for hospital indemnity | 4.3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
National General: Best for seniors | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Transamerica: Best for nationwide coverage | 4.3 | 4.3 | 4.6 | 5 | 4.5 |
Company founded | 1853 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A+ |
BBB rating | A+ |
NCQA accreditation | Yes |
NCQA rating | 5 to 2.5 |
Plans available | Accident Critical illness Hospital indemnity |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | Yes |
Provider network | Large |
When you sign up for supplemental coverage with Aetna, you can expect to receive cash payments to help defray the cost of medical services. Aetna offers supplemental insurance to members who qualify for employer-sponsored medical benefits, or you can purchase a stand-alone policy. Individual policies may be subject to underwriting and preexisting condition look-backs.
What we like about Aetna gap insurance plans: | The drawbacks of Aetna supplemental health insurance plans: |
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Aetna offers the following gap health insurance plans:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated Aetna.
Financial strength rating: 5 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 5 |
Value rating: 5 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
Company founded | 1919 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A |
BBB rating | F |
NCQA accreditation | No |
NCQA rating | None |
Plans available | Accident insurance Accident and sickness insurance Accidental death or dismemberment insurance |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | No |
Provider network | Large |
Founded in 1919, AIG offers insurance plans in all 50 states, including gap or supplemental insurance. AIG’s gap insurance can reduce your out-of-pocket medical expenses or pay your living expenses if you’re injured or seriously ill. When you sign up for supplemental insurance through AIG, expect to receive cash benefits promptly with complete control over how you spend the money. But some plans only provide coverage if you develop certain covered health conditions.
What we like about AIG gap health insurance plans: | The drawbacks of AIG gap health insurance plans: |
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AIG offers three types of gap health insurance/supplemental health insurance:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated AIG.
Financial strength rating: 4.5 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 3 |
Value rating: 4 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
Company founded | 1940 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A |
BBB rating | A+ |
NCQA accreditation | No |
NCQA rating | N/A |
Plans available | Accidental injury Critical illness insurance Hospital and doctor Hospital indemnity |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | Yes |
Provider network | Large |
Golden Rule has been in business for more than 80 years, giving members access to an extensive network of providers in all 50 states. The company offers several supplemental insurance plans, including accidental injury, critical illness, hospital and doctor, and hospital indemnity plans.
What we like about Golden Rule gap health insurance plans: | The drawbacks of Golden Rule gap health insurance plans: |
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Golden Rule offers the following gap health insurance plans:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated Golden Rule.
Financial strength rating: 4.5 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 5 |
Value rating: 5 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
Company founded | 1975 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A- |
BBB rating | F |
NCQA accreditation | No |
NCQA rating | N/A |
Plans available | Gap Hospital indemnity |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | No |
Provider network | Large |
Established in 1975, IHC Health Group offers group health insurance, supplemental insurance, and other types of coverage. The company offers at least one plan in all 50 states. IHC Health Group’s gap plan pays your health insurance deductible if you’re hospitalized, injured, or critically ill. You can expect to receive direct payments with no restrictions on how you spend the money.
What we like about IHC Health Group gap health insurance plans: | The drawbacks of IHC Health Group gap health insurance: |
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IHC Health Group has two types of gap health insurance available:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated IHC Health Group.
Financial strength rating: 4.3 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 3 |
Value rating: 4 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
Company founded | 1920 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A+ |
BBB rating | A+ |
NCQA accreditation | No |
NCQA rating | None |
Plans available | Supplemental insurance Medicare Supplement Insurance |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | No |
Provider network | Large |
Established in 1920, National General offers short-term and fixed-benefit medical plans to eligible Medicare enrollees. The company offers at least one type of coverage in all 50 states. But one thing to be aware of is the coverage restrictions that come with some plans. Learn more about National General’s supplemental insurance options before purchasing a plan.
What we like about National General gap health insurance plans: | The drawbacks of National General gap health insurance plans: |
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National General offers these gap health insurance options:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated National General.
Financial strength rating: 5 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 5 |
Value rating: 5 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
Company founded | 1928 |
Coverage area | All 50 states |
A.M. Best rating | A- |
BBB rating | A- |
NCQA accreditation | No |
NCQA rating | N/A |
Plans available | Supplemental medical expense insurance Cancer insurance Accident insurance Critical illness insurance Hospital indemnity insurance |
Preexisting condition coverage | No |
Prescription coverage | No |
Provider network | Large |
Transamerica was established in 1928 and offers insurance in all 50 states. Plan availability varies based on your location. You may have access to supplemental health insurance or disability coverage, depending on where you live. When you have supplemental coverage from Transamerica, you get direct cash payments. You can only get Transamerica supplemental health insurance if it’s offered by your employer as the company doesn’t sell supplemental plans to consumers. Find out more about Transamerica and its supplemental coverage options.
What we like about Transamerica gap health insurance plans: | The drawbacks of Transamerica gap health insurance plans: |
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The following supplemental insurance coverages are available via Transamerica:
Trusted ratings and reviews can help you understand how an insurer’s plans stack up against the competition. See how we rated Transamerica.
Financial strength rating: 4.3 |
Customer satisfaction rating: 4.3 |
Value rating: 4.6 |
Coverage rating: 5 |
When you’re ready to shop for coverage, it pays to compare gap health insurance and supplemental insurance plans. Typically, you need to weigh the cost of coverage against the benefits you’ll receive if a covered event occurs. To find the right plan for your company, follow these tips:
Tammy Burns is an experienced health insurance advisor. She earned her nursing degree in 1990 from Jacksonville State University, obtained her insurance billing and coding certification in 1995, and holds a health and life insurance license in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Burns is Affordable Care Act (ACA)-certified for health insurance and other ancillary, life, and annuity products. She maintains an active nursing license and practices private-duty nursing.
Burns’ background as a nurse, insurance biller and coder, and insurance consultant includes infectious disease, oncology, gynecology, phlebotomy, post operative, family medicine, geriatrics, home health, hospice, human resources, management, billing, coding, claims, fixed annuities, group and individual health and life products, and Medicare. She’s always been driven by a desire to help people, spending more than 25 years as a practicing nurse in hospitals, private doctors’ offices, home health, and hospice. As a nurse, Burns supported patients filing insurance claims with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies as well as responding to billing questions from confused patients.
Seeing firsthand how unsuspecting patients are frequently confused by an overly complex system they don’t understand led Burns to become an insurance agent and health care consultant, now helping people understand the medical system. Since becoming an insurance agent in 2013, she has worked with some of the largest and most reputable insurance carriers and agencies in the nation, and she has built a large and loyal clientele by way of her commitment to transparency and personalized service.
Tammy Burns is an experienced health insurance advisor. She earned her nursing degree in 1990 from Jacksonville State University, obtained her insurance billing and coding certification in 1995, and holds a health and life insurance license in Alabama, Georgia, Iowa, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Burns is Affordable Care Act (ACA)-certified for health insurance and other ancillary, life, and annuity products. She maintains an active nursing license and practices private-duty nursing.
Burns’ background as a nurse, insurance biller and coder, and insurance consultant includes infectious disease, oncology, gynecology, phlebotomy, post operative, family medicine, geriatrics, home health, hospice, human resources, management, billing, coding, claims, fixed annuities, group and individual health and life products, and Medicare. She’s always been driven by a desire to help people, spending more than 25 years as a practicing nurse in hospitals, private doctors’ offices, home health, and hospice. As a nurse, Burns supported patients filing insurance claims with Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance companies as well as responding to billing questions from confused patients.
Seeing firsthand how unsuspecting patients are frequently confused by an overly complex system they don’t understand led Burns to become an insurance agent and health care consultant, now helping people understand the medical system. Since becoming an insurance agent in 2013, she has worked with some of the largest and most reputable insurance carriers and agencies in the nation, and she has built a large and loyal clientele by way of her commitment to transparency and personalized service.