Original Medicare (Parts A and B) leaves significant gaps — 20% coinsurance with no out-of-pocket maximum means a $100,000 surgery could leave you with a $20,000 bill. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans fill these gaps by covering deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that Original Medicare doesn’t.
This guide compares every Medigap plan letter, the best companies offering them, and how to choose the right plan for your budget and health.
Medigap Plans Compared: What Each Plan Covers
Coverage by Plan Letter
| Benefit | Plan A | Plan B | Plan C* | Plan D | Plan F* | Plan G | Plan K | Plan L | Plan M | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance + hospital (days 61-150) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A deductible ($1,632 in 2026) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance (20%) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓** |
| Part B deductible ($257 in 2026) | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Part B excess charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Out-of-pocket limit | None | None | None | None | None | None | $7,060 | $3,530 | None | None |
Plans C and F are not available to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. *Plan N covers Part B coinsurance except for a $20 copay for office visits and $50 copay for ER visits that don’t result in admission.
Best Medigap Plans Ranked
Plan G — Best Overall (Recommended for Most People)
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium range | $130–$250 (age 65) |
| What it covers | Everything except Part B deductible ($257/year) |
| Your annual out-of-pocket | $257 (Part B deductible) + premiums |
| Part B excess charges | Covered |
| Why it’s best | Near-total coverage at reasonable premiums |
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan and the best value. It covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible ($257/year). Plan F premiums are typically $30–$50/month higher than Plan G — meaning you’d pay $360–$600 more per year to save $257. Plan G saves money for nearly everyone.
Plan N — Best Budget Option
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium range | $90–$180 (age 65) |
| What it covers | Most costs, with small copays for some visits |
| Your copays | $20 per office visit, $50 per ER (non-admit) |
| Part B excess charges | Not covered |
| Why it’s good | $40–$70/month cheaper than Plan G |
Plan N is the best choice for healthy people who want lower premiums and don’t mind small copays. The $20 office visit copay and $50 ER copay are manageable for most people. The risk: Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges (what doctors charge above Medicare’s approved amount), which can be unpredictable.
Plan K — Best for Cost-Conscious with Safety Net
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Monthly premium range | $50–$100 (age 65) |
| What it covers | 50% of most costs, with a $7,060 out-of-pocket maximum |
| Your maximum exposure | $7,060/year |
| Why it’s good | Lowest premiums + guaranteed cap on costs |
Plan K is a middle ground — low premiums with a cap on your exposure. After you spend $7,060 out of pocket, Plan K covers 100% of approved charges for the rest of the year.
Best Medigap Insurance Companies
Top Companies by Price and Financial Strength
| Company | AM Best | Plan G (Monthly, Age 65, National Avg.) | Plan N (Monthly, Age 65, National Avg.) | Pricing Method | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | A+ | $165 | $120 | Attained age | 50 states |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ | $155 | $110 | Attained age | 49 states |
| Cigna | A | $170 | $125 | Attained age | 46 states |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | Varies (A to A+) | $145–$200 | $100–$160 | Varies by state | All states (varies by affiliate) |
| Aetna | A | $175 | $130 | Attained age | 40+ states |
| Humana | A- | $160 | $115 | Attained age | 40+ states |
| State Farm | A++ | $150 | $105 | Issue age | Limited states |
Pricing Methods Explained
| Method | How It Works | Impact on Your Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Attained age | Premium increases as you age | Starts lower, costs more over time |
| Issue age | Premium based on age when you buy | Higher at first, but doesn’t increase with age |
| Community rated | Same premium regardless of age | Best for older buyers, worst for younger |
If available, issue-age pricing saves money long-term. Your premium stays at the rate you locked in (with inflation adjustments). A 65-year-old buying issue-age Plan G might pay $180/month that stays relatively stable, while an attained-age buyer starts at $155/month but pays $250+ by age 75.
Medigap Costs by Age
Plan G Monthly Premiums by Age and Gender (National Averages)
| Age | Male | Female | Couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $155 | $135 | $290 |
| 67 | $170 | $150 | $320 |
| 70 | $195 | $175 | $370 |
| 73 | $225 | $200 | $425 |
| 75 | $250 | $225 | $475 |
| 80 | $310 | $280 | $590 |
Plan N Monthly Premiums by Age and Gender
| Age | Male | Female | Couple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $110 | $95 | $205 |
| 70 | $140 | $125 | $265 |
| 75 | $180 | $160 | $340 |
| 80 | $225 | $200 | $425 |
Annual Cost Comparison: Medigap vs. No Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage
Scenario: 65-Year-Old, Moderate Health Usage ($15,000 in Medicare-Approved Charges)
| Coverage | Monthly Premium | Annual Premium | Out-of-Pocket Costs | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare only | $0 (from supplement) | $0 | $3,257+ | $3,257+ |
| Medigap Plan G | $155 | $1,860 | $257 | $2,117 |
| Medigap Plan N | $110 | $1,320 | $357+ | $1,677+ |
| Medicare Advantage (avg) | $0 | $0 | $1,500–$3,000 | $1,500–$3,000 |
Scenario: Major Health Event ($100,000 Surgery + Follow-Up)
| Coverage | Annual Premium | Out-of-Pocket | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Medicare only | $0 | $20,257+ | $20,257+ |
| Medigap Plan G | $1,860 | $257 | $2,117 |
| Medigap Plan N | $1,320 | $457 | $1,777 |
| Medicare Advantage | $0 | $5,000–$8,000 (MOOP) | $5,000–$8,000 |
This is where Medigap shines. In a major health event, Medigap Plan G limits your total cost to $2,117 — vs. $20,000+ with Original Medicare alone or $5,000–$8,000 with Medicare Advantage.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
| Factor | Medigap | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $90–$250+ | $0–$50 (most plans) |
| Doctor choice | Any Medicare doctor nationwide | Network only (HMO/PPO) |
| Referrals needed | No | Depends on plan type |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Very low (Plan G: $257/year) | Up to $8,000–$9,500 MOOP |
| Extra benefits | None | Dental, vision, hearing, gym |
| Drug coverage | Separate Part D needed | Usually included |
| Best for travel/snowbirds | Yes (works nationwide) | No (network-based) |
| Predictability | Very predictable | Less predictable |
| Switching difficulty | Hard after open enrollment | Easy to switch annually |
For a detailed comparison, see our Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage guide.
How to Enroll in Medigap
The 6-Month Open Enrollment Window
Your most important window: 6 months starting the first day of the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period:
- No insurer can deny you any Medigap plan
- No insurer can charge you more due to health conditions
- You can choose any plan from any insurer
After this window closes, insurers can:
- Deny coverage based on health
- Charge higher premiums (medical underwriting)
- Apply waiting periods for pre-existing conditions
| Enrollment Path | When | Guaranteed Issue? |
|---|---|---|
| Initial open enrollment | 6 months from Part B start (age 65) | Yes |
| Under-65 disabled | Varies by state | Some states require |
| Dropping Medicare Advantage | Within 12 months of joining MA | Yes (trial right, limited plans) |
| Outside enrollment | Anytime | No — medical underwriting applies |
How to Compare Medigap Quotes
- Use Medicare.gov’s Medigap finder — compares all available plans in your ZIP code
- Get quotes from 3–5 companies — premiums vary 30–50% for identical coverage
- Compare pricing methods — issue age vs. attained age vs. community rated
- Check household discounts — many insurers offer 5–12% couple/household discounts
- Verify financial strength — AM Best A+ or higher
States with Special Medigap Rules
| State | Special Rule |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | Guaranteed issue for all Medigap plans year-round |
| Massachusetts | Only sells standardized “Core” and “Supplement 1” plans |
| Maine | Guaranteed issue year-round |
| New York | Guaranteed issue year-round; community-rated premiums |
| Minnesota | Uses unique plan structure (not standard letter plans) |
| Wisconsin | Uses unique plan structure (not standard letter plans) |
Residents of CT, ME, and NY have the most flexibility — you can buy or switch Medigap plans at any time without medical underwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch Medigap plans later?
You can apply for a different Medigap plan anytime, but outside your initial enrollment period, the insurer can medically underwrite you and deny coverage based on health. The exception: some states (CT, ME, NY) guarantee year-round access. A “birthday rule” in some states (CA, IL, OR, etc.) gives you a 30-day window around your birthday to switch without underwriting.
Do I need Medicare Part D with Medigap?
Yes. Medigap does not cover prescription drugs. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage. Enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period to avoid late enrollment penalties.
What if I have employer coverage at 65?
If you have employer or union coverage and delay Part B enrollment, your Medigap open enrollment starts when you DO enroll in Part B — not necessarily at age 65. This gives you guaranteed-issue access even if you enroll at 67, 70, etc.
For more on Medicare and HSA planning, see the Medicare & HSA hub.
For more on Medicare and HSA planning, see the Medicare & HSA hub.
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