To purchase a Medi-gap policy, an individual must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Medi-gap is additional insurance for people already on Medicare and is not related to Medicaid, ACA insurance exchanges, or SSDI.
Prior to purchasing a Medi-gap policy, a person must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. Medi-gap, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, is intended to cover costs not included in traditional Medicare.
It serves as additional coverage for those already enrolled in Medicare, the federal health insurance program for individuals who are over the age of 65 or meet other criteria, such as disability. The Medi-gap policy aims to fill in the 'gaps' of cost-sharing mechanisms such as deductibles and copayments that are part of the original Medicare plan.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is a joint federal and state program that helps with medical costs for some people with limited income and resources and offers benefits not typically covered by Medicare, like nursing home care and personal care services.
While the Affordable Care Act (ACA or Obamacare) expanded access to health insurance via the insurance exchanges and increased Medicaid eligibility in some states, it is not a prerequisite for Medi-gap. Furthermore, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) is not a requirement for Medi-gap enrollment either.