What is the difference between a secondary and a supplemental insurance plan?

Some might say...symantics! But as a supplemental insurance agent, I would say a big difference: Secondary: a policy that pays the provider's leftover medical bills. Some might still exclude the payment toward bills assigned to meet the primary policy's deductibles or copayments so you have to ask. This happens for instance if a husband or wife covers their spouse on their insurance but he/she also participates in their employer's plan. The spouse's coverage would pay the bills after their own medical plan paid. Supplemental: a policy that pays the policyholder to offset out-of-pocket expenses associated with an injury or illness. Be careful it doesn't say it will pay X amount up to the actual charges incurred or something along that line very much in the policy as it will just limit your benefits at time of claim. There are plenty of policies out there that pay a lump sum just because a charge is incurred. So it will pay the dollar amount regardless of your actual out-of-pocket expense. You see, having deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance is actually just the tip of the iceberg if someone is dealing with an injury or illness. What about possible interruption of your income and most times the spouse's income (if applicable)? If there are more bills coming in and less income coming in then how in the world are you meeting your household obligations? Not to mention unforseen extra expenses that can arise.