Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans Explained (2026)
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Quick note: Finance24Me is an independent information site. We do not sell insurance. For personalized guidance, contact 1-800-MEDICARE or a free SHIP counselor. This article is educational only.
Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) helps cover the gaps in Original Medicare — primarily the 20% coinsurance and Part A deductible. Without Medigap, Original Medicare beneficiaries have no out-of-pocket maximum and can face unlimited bills. Medigap is sold by private insurers in standardized plans labeled by letters.
What Medigap Covers
Medigap helps pay:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part A deductible (most plans)
- Part B coinsurance (20%)
- Part B deductible (some plans)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- First 3 pints of blood
- Foreign travel emergency (some plans)
What Medigap Does NOT Cover
- Long-term custodial care
- Vision, dental, hearing aids
- Private nursing
- Prescription drugs (need separate Part D)
- Most Medicare Advantage works (only with Original Medicare)
Standardized Plans (2026)
10 letter-labeled plans (varies slightly by state):
| Plan | Best For |
|---|---|
| Plan A | Basic benefits |
| Plan B | A + Part A deductible |
| Plan D | A + foreign travel + skilled nursing coinsurance |
| Plan G | Most comprehensive available to new beneficiaries |
| Plan K | Cost-sharing alternative |
| Plan L | Cost-sharing alternative |
| Plan M | Half Part A deductible |
| Plan N | Lower premium, some copays |
| Plan F | Most comprehensive (only available if eligible for Medicare before 2020) |
| Plan C | Discontinued for new beneficiaries since 2020 |
Key change: Plans C and F are no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare in 2020 or later. They covered the Part B deductible, which Congress eliminated as a Medigap-coverable item for new beneficiaries.
Most Popular Plans
| Plan | Why People Choose It |
|---|---|
| Plan G | Most comprehensive available to new beneficiaries |
| Plan N | Lower premium, accept some copays ($20 doctor visits) |
| Plan F | Most comprehensive (only if Medicare-eligible before 2020) |
| High-Deductible G | Lowest premium, $2,800 deductible |
About 70% of new beneficiaries choosing Medigap pick Plan G.
What Each Plan Covers
| Benefit | Plan A | Plan B | Plan G | Plan K | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 100% (with copays) |
| Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes | 50% | Yes |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | No | No | Yes | 50% | Yes |
| Part B excess charges | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| Foreign travel emergency | No | No | 80% | No | 80% |
Cost: Plan G Premium Examples
Premium varies by age, zip code, gender, tobacco use, and insurer. Approximate 2026 ranges for Plan G:
| Age | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 65 | $130–$200 |
| 70 | $150–$230 |
| 75 | $180–$280 |
| 80 | $220–$350 |
| 85 | $260–$400 |
Same Plan G coverage from different insurers — find the lowest price for the same benefits.
When to Buy Medigap
Medigap Open Enrollment Period: 6 months starting when you’re 65+ AND enrolled in Part B. During this period:
- Insurers must sell you any Medigap plan they offer
- Can’t deny based on pre-existing conditions
- Can’t charge more for health conditions
Outside this period (in most states): Insurers can require medical underwriting and deny coverage or charge more.
This is why Medigap timing is critical. Once you miss this 6-month window, switching becomes difficult.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Even outside Open Enrollment, you have guaranteed-issue rights in certain situations:
- Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare
- You move out of plan’s service area
- You lose other coverage you used as Medigap alternative
- Within 12 months of joining Medicare Advantage, you switch back to Original
Some states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Washington) have year-round guaranteed-issue laws that go beyond federal protections.
Pricing Methods
Medigap plans price by one of three methods (varies by state):
| Method | How It Works | Long-Term Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Community-rated | Same price for everyone | Most stable |
| Issue-age | Based on age at purchase | Stable in ratio |
| Attained-age | Based on current age | Increases with age |
Attained-age plans look cheaper at 65 but cost much more at 80+. Community-rated typically wins long-term.
Choosing Between Plans
| Question | Lean Toward |
|---|---|
| Want lowest possible cost when you need care | Plan G |
| Want lower premium, accept some copays | Plan N |
| Healthy, want lowest premium | High-Deductible G |
| Want minimum supplement | Plan A |
| Eligible for Medicare before 2020 | Plan F (most comprehensive) |
How to Shop for Medigap
- Decide which plan letter based on benefits desired
- Get quotes from 5+ insurers for the same plan letter
- Compare prices — coverage is identical for same letter
- Check insurer financial ratings (A.M. Best, S&P)
- Verify pricing method (community vs attained)
- Read renewal/cancellation policies
- Check rate-increase history — some insurers raise rates faster
Helpful Resources
📖 Medicare.gov Medigap — official Medigap information.
📖 Medicare.gov Medigap Plan Search — find plans in your area.
📖 State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — free Medigap guidance.
📖 National Association of Insurance Commissioners — state insurance regulators.
Common Medigap Mistakes
- Missing the 6-month Open Enrollment — limits future options
- Choosing on price alone without considering rate-increase history
- Not checking financial strength of insurer
- Buying Medigap with Medicare Advantage (it doesn’t work — illegal)
- Confusing Medigap with Part D — they’re separate products
- Not getting multiple quotes for the same plan letter
When Medigap Doesn’t Make Sense
Skip Medigap if:
- You chose Medicare Advantage instead
- You qualify for Medicaid (covers gaps)
- You qualify for Veterans benefits covering most costs
- You can self-insure against unlimited Original Medicare costs
Most Original Medicare beneficiaries benefit from Medigap.
FAQ — Medicare Supplement Plans
Q: What’s the best Medigap plan? A: Plan G is the most comprehensive available to new beneficiaries (those eligible 2020+). For older beneficiaries, Plan F is most comprehensive but no longer available to new entrants.
Q: When can I buy Medigap? A: Best during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — 6 months starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B. Outside this, insurers can deny or charge more based on health.
Q: Can I have Medigap with Medicare Advantage? A: No — Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It’s actually illegal for insurers to sell Medigap to MA enrollees.
Q: How do I find the cheapest Medigap? A: Same plan letter has identical coverage across insurers. Get quotes from multiple insurers for Plan G (or whichever you’ve chosen) and compare premiums + rate-increase history.
Q: Do Medigap plans cover prescription drugs? A: No — you need a separate Part D plan for drug coverage.
Related Reading on Finance24Me
- Medicare Explained: Complete 2026 Beginner’s Guide
- Medicare Part A, B, C, D: Key Differences
- Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare
- Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Coverage Guide
- When to Enroll in Medicare
Bottom Line
Medigap is essential for Original Medicare beneficiaries to avoid unlimited out-of-pocket exposure. Plan G is the most popular choice for new beneficiaries (Plan F if eligible before 2020). Buy during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period to avoid medical underwriting. Same plan letter has identical coverage — shop on price among multiple insurers.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not insurance, medical, or financial advice, and Finance24Me does not provide insurance or medical services. For Medicare decisions, contact 1-800-MEDICARE, visit Medicare.gov, or talk to a free SHIP counselor.
By Finance24Me Editorial · Updated May 9, 2026
- medigap
- medicare supplement
- Plan G