The ALS Association understands the crucial role Medigap insurance plays in your journey with ALS. Whether it has provided vital support or its inaccessibility has posed significant challenges, your stories matter. Sharing your experiences can help raise awareness and advocate for better healthcare policies for the ALS community. 
 

Why Your Story Matters 

Medigap insurance, also known as Medicare supplemental insurance, is a private plan that helps cover the extra costs that original Medicare does not cover, such as co-payments, coinsurance, and deductibles. For those living with ALS, these additional benefits can be a lifeline. However, the lack of access or affordability of Medigap plans in many states can create significant financial and emotional burdens. Your personal stories can highlight these issues and drive meaningful change. Watch this short video about Katie Adams, an advocate living with ALS, who fought and won to change the law in Kentucky to make Medigap more accessible and affordable.

If you need help getting started, consider these questions below before sharing your experience. 

If Lack of Access or Affordability Has Been a Challenge: 
 
1. Describe a situation where the lack of Medigap coverage caused significant hardship. 

• What were the financial implications for you and your family? 

• How did it affect your ability to receive necessary medical treatments? 

2. Explain the difficulties in affording Medigap insurance.  

• Were there specific costs or premiums that were prohibitive? 

• How did the lack of affordable options impact your overall healthcare plan? 

3. Share how the absence of Medigap insurance has affected your day-to-day life. 

• What challenges have you encountered in managing out-of-pocket expenses?  

• How has this affected your access to critical health services or your overall quality of life? 

4. Discuss the emotional and mental toll of inadequate insurance coverage.  

• How has the stress of medical expenses impacted your mental health? 

• What sacrifices have you or your family had to make? 

If Medigap Has Been Beneficial to You and Your Family:  

1. Describe how Medigap coverage has made a difference in your healthcare journey. 

• What financial stresses did it alleviate? 

• What treatments or services did it cover that were crucial for you? 
   

2. Share how Medigap insurance has improved your quality of life. 

• What specific benefits were most helpful? 

• How has it allowed you to focus on your health? 
   

3. Explain the peace of mind Medigap insurance provides. 

• How has having comprehensive coverage affected your mental health and outlook? 

• Have you been able to access care more readily?
   
   

If you would prefer to share your experience in audio or video format you can do so here, otherwise you can type it into the form to the right.

When sharing your story, remember that your experiences can inspire change and advance more equitable healthcare policies. Your voice is powerful, and your story can help others, especially lawmakers, understand the real impact of Medigap insurance on those living with ALS. Thank you for taking the time to share your journey with us.