Do you need a health plan supplement when you have Medicare?

Yes. It depends on what is covered in your Medicare plan. There are supplemental insurance programs, like MediGap and other additional options provided either by Medicare itself, or by your own choice of providers.

This answer is correct for the most part, but you don't HAVE to have a supplement when you have Medicare. It is up to you. Most people wouldn't go without a supplement. These nifty little plans can cover your deductibles and coinsurances that Medicare leaves for the patient. If your claim is high dollar, you could find yourself in trouble trying to figure out how to pay your portion of the bill. Also, Medicare itself doesn't offer any supplemental insurance. You have to shop for yourself and decide which sounds like it would help you the most. Part D supplemental coverage is for prescriptions. Medicare does not cover any prescriptions. You have to figure which drugs you are presently taking and then find a supplement that will cover most of those drugs. If your prescriptions radically change over the year, you may want to shop for a new Part D supplement when it's the time of year to add, delete or change your supplements or even purchase a Medicare Replacement Plan. Many, many choices.