Medicare Supplement insurance — commonly called Medigap — helps pay for healthcare costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn't cover. These include deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. There are 10 standardized plan types, each identified by a letter.
Important: In most states, Medigap plan benefits are federally standardized. Every insurer that sells Plan G must offer the exact same Plan G benefits. What differs is the monthly premium — so always compare multiple insurers for the same plan letter.
Side-by-Side Plan Comparison (2026)
This table shows which costs each plan covers. "Full" means the plan pays 100% of that cost. "Partial" means the plan covers a percentage. "None" means you pay that cost yourself.
| Medicare Cost | A | B | D | G | HD-G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | full* | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | full* | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | full* | 50% | 75% | ✓ | copay |
| Part B deductible ($257 in 2026) | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Part B excess charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | full* | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | full* | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Out-of-pocket annual limit | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | $7,220 | $3,610 | ✗ | ✗ |
* HD-G requires meeting the annual deductible ($2,870 in 2026) before coverage kicks in.
Which Plan Is Right for You?
Plan G — Most Popular Choice for New Enrollees
Plan G covers everything Medicare doesn't pay except the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). After you pay that deductible once per year, Plan G covers all Medicare-approved expenses for the rest of the year. It's the most comprehensive plan available to new Medicare beneficiaries and is chosen by more new enrollees than any other plan.
Typical monthly premium at age 65: $100–$280 depending on state, insurer, and gender.
Plan N — Best Balance of Premium and Coverage
Plan N offers similar protection to Plan G but at premiums typically 15–25% lower. The trade-off: you may pay up to $20 for some doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission. Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges (the extra amount some doctors charge above Medicare rates).
If you're generally healthy, visit the doctor a few times a year, and primarily see doctors who accept Medicare assignment, Plan N can be a smart choice.
High-Deductible Plan G — Lowest Premiums with Catastrophic Protection
HD Plan G has the same ultimate coverage as Plan G, but you pay all Medicare cost-sharing out of pocket until you reach the $2,870 annual deductible (2026). After that, it covers everything Plan G would cover. Monthly premiums are very low — typically $30–$80 — making this an attractive option for healthy seniors who want a safety net against major costs.
Plan K and Plan L — Cost-Sharing with Out-of-Pocket Caps
Plans K and L are cost-sharing plans that cover 50% and 75% respectively of several benefit categories. Their key advantage is an annual out-of-pocket limit: $7,220 for Plan K and $3,610 for Plan L in 2026. After reaching that limit, the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year. Monthly premiums are lower than comprehensive plans.
Plans C and F — Legacy Plans (Pre-2020 Enrollees Only)
Plans C and F covered the Part B deductible, which made them the most comprehensive plans available. Federal law (MACRA) closed these plans to new enrollees with Part A effective dates of January 1, 2020 or later. If you became eligible before that date, you may still enroll in these plans where available. Existing enrollees are grandfathered.
Average Plan G Premiums by State (Top Markets)
Premiums vary dramatically by state. Below are Plan G estimates for a 65-year-old, non-smoking female. Men and smokers typically pay higher premiums. Get personalized quotes at Medicare.gov.
| State | Avg. Plan G (Age 65) | Rating Method | Special Protections |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | ~$165/mo | community | ✓ Birthday Rule ✓ Community Rated |
| Florida | ~$175/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Georgia | ~$125/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Illinois | ~$140/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Michigan | ~$132/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| New York | ~$260/mo | community | ✓ Community Rated |
| North Carolina | ~$132/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Ohio | ~$124/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Pennsylvania | ~$152/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
| Texas | ~$138/mo | attained age | Standard federal protections |
Detailed Guides for Every Plan
First-dollar coverage — not available to new Medicare enrollees after Jan 1, 2020
Plan F details →Same benefits as Plan G — with a high deductible for lower monthly premiums
Plan HD-G details →Cost-sharing plan at 75% with lower out-of-pocket maximum ($3,610 in 2026)
Plan L details →Comprehensive coverage including Part B deductible — only for pre-2020 Medicare enrollees
Plan C details →How to Shop for a Medicare Supplement Plan
Because plan benefits are standardized, the shopping process is simpler than it appears:
- Choose your plan letter first. Decide whether Plan G, Plan N, or another option fits your healthcare usage and budget. Our Plan G vs Plan N comparison can help.
- Get quotes from multiple insurers for that same plan letter. Use Medicare.gov's Plan Finder or contact a licensed broker who represents multiple companies.
- Check the insurer's premium history. Some insurers keep rates stable for many years; others raise them aggressively. Ask about past rate increases before choosing.
- Enroll during your Open Enrollment Period if possible. This guarantees your acceptance regardless of health conditions.
- Consider a licensed SHIP counselor — free, unbiased help from trained volunteers. Find yours at shiphelp.org.
This site provides general information about Medicare Supplement insurance and medical alert devices. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) or any government agency. This is not medical or insurance advice. Always consult a licensed insurance professional for personalized guidance.
Medicare rules, premiums, and plan availability change annually. Always verify current information with Medicare.gov, your State Insurance Department, or a licensed insurance advisor. For free, unbiased help, contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) at shiphelp.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Medicare Supplement plans are there?
There are 10 standardized Medigap plan letters currently available to most new Medicare enrollees: A, B, D, G, High-Deductible G, K, L, M, and N. Plans C and F are also available but only to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Wisconsin, Massachusetts, and Minnesota use their own state-specific plan designs instead of the federal standard letters.
Are Medicare Supplement plan benefits the same from all insurers?
Yes. Federal law standardizes Medigap plan benefits by letter. A Plan G from UnitedHealthcare covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from Mutual of Omaha. The only differences between insurers for the same plan letter are the monthly premium, customer service quality, financial stability rating, and premium increase history.
When is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?
Your best opportunity is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the first month you are both age 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot use medical underwriting — you cannot be denied coverage or charged more based on health conditions.
Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans?
Outside your initial enrollment window, switching to a different Medigap plan typically requires passing medical underwriting in most states. However, California, Florida, and Oregon have Birthday Rules that allow you to switch annually without underwriting. New York and New Jersey have year-round guaranteed-issue protections.
Do Medicare Supplement plans cover prescription drugs?
No. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. For drug coverage, you need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, you should also have a Part D plan (unless you have other creditable drug coverage).
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People with Medicare. CMS Publication 02110. Retrieved June 2026.
- Medicare.gov. Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). medicare.gov. Retrieved June 2026.
- CMS. 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles. cms.gov. Retrieved June 2026.