This report from America's Health Insurance Plans explores Medigap Coverage for low-income individuals in rural settings.

From the report: 

Medigap supplemental coverage has long helped Medicare beneficiaries fill gaps in their benefits. Recently released data from the 2008 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey (MCBS) serve as a reminder of the critical role played by Medigap coverage. The MCBS data show that Medigap is particularly important to low- and moderate-income beneficiaries, especially those living in rural areas. Here are some key findings: 

• Thirty-one (31) percent of Medigap policyholders resided in rural areas in 2008; by comparison, only 24 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries resided in rural areas. 
• Thirty-six (36) percent of rural Medigap policyholders had incomes under $20,000 in 2008, and 33 percent of all Medigap policyholders (living in rural or metropolitan areas) had incomes under $20,000.
• Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of rural Medigap policyholders and 54 percent of all Medigap policyholders had incomes below $30,000.

Full Report: Low-Income & Rural Beneficiaries with Medigap Coverage, 2008 (PDF | 85 KB)

America's Health Insurance Plans. (2010). Low-income & rural beneficiaries with Medigap coverage, 2008.