Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans 2026

Original Medicare leaves you responsible for deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that can add up quickly. A Medigap policy fills those gaps — giving you predictable out-of-pocket costs and the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting doctor in the country. Compare all 10 standardized plans and find the right fit for 2026.

Compare Medigap Quotes Plan G vs. Plan N Deep Dive

This content is educational and is not legal, financial, or insurance advice. Coverage decisions depend on your specific situation, risk tolerance, and the actual policy contract you’re offered. For a binding recommendation, speak with a licensed insurance agent in your state, or contact your state Department of Insurance.

What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement insurance — officially called Medigap — is private health insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). After Medicare pays its share of an approved medical expense, your Medigap policy steps in to pay some or all of the remaining cost-sharing. Depending on the plan you choose, that can mean $0 out of pocket for hospital stays and doctor visits covered by Medicare.

Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies, but the benefits for each lettered plan (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) are standardized by the federal government. That means a Plan G from Blue Cross Blue Shield and a Plan G from Mutual of Omaha offer identical core benefits — the only differences are the monthly premium and the insurer's customer service reputation.

Key things to know about Medigap:

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy.
Medigap does not cover prescription drugs — you need a separate Medicare Part D plan for that.
You pay a monthly premium to the private insurer in addition to your Part B premium.
Coverage is accepted by any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare — no networks.
Plans F and C are no longer available to people newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.

All 10 Medigap Plans Compared

The table below shows which benefits each standardized plan covers. ✅ = covered in full, ❌ = not covered. Percentages indicate the share the plan pays.

Benefit	Plan A	Plan B	Plan C*	Plan D	Plan F*	Plan G	Plan K	Plan L	Plan M	Plan N
Part A Hospital Coinsurance & Hospital Costs (up to 365 extra days)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Part B Coinsurance or Copayment	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	50%	75%	✅	✅†
Blood (First 3 Pints)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	50%	75%	✅	✅
Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	50%	75%	✅	✅
Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Coinsurance	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	50%	75%	✅	✅
Part A Deductible	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	50%	75%	50%	✅
Part B Deductible	❌	❌	✅	❌	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌
Part B Excess Charges	❌	❌	❌	❌	✅	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Foreign Travel Emergency (80% up to plan limits)	❌	❌	✅	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅	✅

* Plans C and F are not available to Medicare beneficiaries first eligible on or after January 1, 2020. † Plan N covers Part B coinsurance except for a copay of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission. Plans K and L have annual out-of-pocket limits ($7,220 and $3,610 in 2026 respectively); once reached, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.

Plan G vs. Plan N: The Most Popular Choice

Since Plan F was phased out for new beneficiaries in 2020, Plan G has become the most popular Medigap plan in the country. It covers everything except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), offering near-complete cost predictability. Plan N is the strong runner-up — its monthly premiums are typically $40–$60 lower than Plan G, but it leaves you responsible for small copays (up to $20 per office visit, up to $50 for ER visits) and does not cover Part B excess charges.

Plan G — Best for:

People who want maximum cost predictability
Frequent doctor or specialist visitors
Those who see doctors who charge above Medicare rates
Anyone who values simplicity over premium savings

Plan N — Best for:

Relatively healthy beneficiaries with infrequent visits
Those comfortable with small copays to lower monthly costs
Beneficiaries who only see participating Medicare providers
Budget-conscious retirees seeking solid core protection

Full Plan G vs. Plan N Comparison →

2026 Average Monthly Premiums

Medigap premiums vary significantly by state, age, gender, tobacco use, and insurer. The figures below are representative averages for a 65-year-old female non-smoker based on 2026 market data. Your actual rate may differ — always get personalized quotes.

State	Plan G (avg/mo)	Plan N (avg/mo)	Approx. Savings with N
Florida	$165	$118	~$47/mo
Texas	$148	$108	~$40/mo
California	$172	$125	~$47/mo
New York	$285	$215	~$70/mo
Ohio	$128	$92	~$36/mo
Pennsylvania	$142	$105	~$37/mo
Illinois	$155	$112	~$43/mo
National Average	$155	$112	~$43/mo

Rates shown are illustrative averages for a 65-year-old female non-smoker as of early 2026. New York uses community rating; premiums there do not vary by age. Actual premiums vary by insurer, ZIP code, age, gender, and tobacco use. Get a personalized quote for accurate pricing.

Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Critical Timing — Don't Miss This Window

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window. Once it passes, insurers in most states can deny your application or charge you more based on your health history. Plan ahead.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) starts on the first day of the month in which you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. It lasts exactly six months. During this window, you have guaranteed issue rights — every Medigap insurer in your state must:

Sell you any Medigap policy they offer
Charge you the same premium as a healthy applicant of the same age
Cover pre-existing conditions (though they may impose a waiting period up to 6 months)

After the OEP closes, most states allow insurers to use medical underwriting. Common conditions that can lead to denial or higher premiums include heart disease, diabetes with complications, COPD, cancer history, and recent hospitalizations.

Other Guaranteed Issue Situations

Outside of OEP, federal law creates specific situations where you have guaranteed issue rights:

Your Medicare Advantage plan is leaving your area or going out of business
You are leaving employer-sponsored group health coverage
You move out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area
Your Medigap insurer goes bankrupt or misrepresented the policy to you
You enrolled in Medicare Advantage at 65 and want to switch back within 12 months (trial right)

How to Choose the Right Medigap Plan

There is no single "best" Medigap plan — the right choice depends on your health, finances, and how you use healthcare. Use this decision guide to narrow down your options.

Step 1: Estimate Your Healthcare Usage

Review how many times per year you see doctors, specialists, or use outpatient services. High utilizers benefit most from comprehensive plans like Plan G, which eliminate nearly all cost-sharing. Lower utilizers may find Plan N's copays cheaper overall than Plan G's higher premium.

Step 2: Consider Your Budget

Compare the annual cost of each plan — premium × 12 plus expected out-of-pocket. For Plan G vs. Plan N, calculate how many extra office visits it would take for Plan G's additional coverage to break even against its higher premium. In many cases, Plan N breaks even at roughly 25–30 office visits per year.

Step 3: Check Provider Participation

If you choose Plan N, verify that your doctors are "participating providers" who accept Medicare assignment. Non-participating providers can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount (excess charges), which Plan N does not cover. Plan G covers excess charges, making it safer if your preferred specialists sometimes opt out of Medicare assignment.

Step 4: Compare Insurers — Same Benefits, Different Prices

Because plan benefits are standardized, you should shop for the lowest premium among reputable insurers. Check insurer financial strength (AM Best A or better), rate increase history in your state, and household discounts. Some insurers offer 5–12% discounts for annual payment or adding a second member.

Step 5: Understand Premium Rating Methods

Insurers use three pricing methods. Community-rated plans charge everyone the same premium regardless of age (used in New York and a few other states). Issue-age-rated plans lock in your rate at the age you buy. Attained-age-rated plans start lower but increase as you age — they can become the most expensive over time. Favor community or issue-age-rated plans if available in your state.

Common real-world scenarios

Composite scenarios illustrating how a standard policy form typically responds. Outcomes vary widely by carrier, state, and the specific contract — these are educational, not predictions of what your insurer will do.

Late enrollment penalty for Part B — what it costs

Situation:: A beneficiary turns 65 and is still employed with employer health coverage. They assume employer coverage replaces Medicare and don't enroll in Part B. They delay enrollment until age 68, three years after their Initial Enrollment Period.
How coverage typically responds:: Medicare Part B has a one-time enrollment window (7 months: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday). Missing this window without qualifying exceptions triggers a late enrollment penalty of 10% per year of missed enrollment.
Typical outcome:: At age 68, the beneficiary must pay 30% more in Part B premiums ($202.90 × 1.30 ≈ $264/mo) for the remainder of their life. Over 20 years, this adds up to ~$15,000 in excess premiums.
Lesson:: Enroll in Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period even if you have employer coverage. Exceptions are rare and require employer group health plan documentation.

Medigap vs Medicare Advantage trade-off in chronic illness

Situation:: A 67-year-old with diabetes and heart disease chooses between Medigap Plan G ($200/mo) and a Medicare Advantage plan ($0 premium, $50 specialist copay, prior auth required).
How coverage typically responds:: Medigap paired with Original Medicare offers predictable costs and unlimited provider choice, plus no prior authorization. Medicare Advantage includes extra benefits like dental but limits network access and may require prior auth for treatments.
Typical outcome:: The beneficiary chooses Medicare Advantage initially. When their cardiologist orders a cardiac catheterization, the plan denies prior auth initially. After appeal, it's approved, but 10 days are lost. Medigap would have covered it immediately at a specialist copay.
Lesson:: For chronic complex conditions, Medigap may offer better care coordination despite higher premiums. For healthy beneficiaries, Advantage's extra benefits can offer value.

CMS annual notice of change triggers plan switch

Situation:: In October, a beneficiary receives their Medicare Advantage plan's notice of change for the upcoming year: prescription drug formulary changed, the $50 copay for their primary care doctor is increasing to $75, and the out-of-pocket maximum is rising by $200.
How coverage typically responds:: The annual notice of change (ANOC) itemizes premium, copay, and formulary changes. Beneficiaries have October 15 to December 7 open enrollment to switch plans without penalty.
Typical outcome:: The beneficiary compares available Medigap and Advantage plans for the new year. They find a competitor's Advantage plan with a lower copay and lower OOP max. They switch plans, effective January 1, without penalty.
Lesson:: The annual ANOC is your trigger to shop alternatives. Many beneficiaries save $500–$2,000 per year by switching plans during annual enrollment.

Observation status vs admission — SNF coverage gap

Situation:: An 75-year-old hospitalized for pneumonia spends 3 days on 'observation status' (outpatient hospital services under Part B) before improving enough to be discharged. When they return home, complications develop, and they're admitted to skilled nursing facility (SNF) for rehabilitation.
How coverage typically responds:: Medicare Part A requires a 3-day inpatient admission (not observation status) within the 30 days prior to SNF admission for SNF coverage. Observation status doesn't count as an admission.
Typical outcome:: Because the patient had observation, not admission, Medicare denies SNF coverage. The patient's family pays $350/day out of pocket for a 21-day SNF stay ($7,350).
Lesson:: Ask your hospital whether you're admitted or on observation status — it directly affects SNF eligibility. Request admission if clinically appropriate to preserve SNF coverage.

Medigap guaranteed issue rights preserve Plan G after denials

Situation:: A 72-year-old on Original Medicare applies for Medigap Plan G outside their open enrollment period. They're denied due to pre-existing conditions. Later, they face a health crisis that requires expensive care.
How coverage typically responds:: Certain life events (loss of employer coverage, move out of service area, plan insolvency) trigger guaranteed issue rights, allowing enrollment in Medigap without medical underwriting or higher premiums.
Typical outcome:: The beneficiary's employer group plan terminates. This triggers guaranteed issue rights. They apply for Plan G and are approved without underwriting or waiting periods. They avoid the denied coverage gap.
Lesson:: If you lose employer coverage, retiring from work, or your plan becomes insolvent, you have guaranteed issue rights for Medigap — a critical safety net.

Scenarios are composite illustrations only — they are not real claims and not predictions of outcomes for any specific policy. Insurance contracts vary by carrier and state; the only authoritative source for what your policy covers is your declarations page and the policy contract itself.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?▾

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B), helping cover cost-sharing like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan that bundles coverage. Medigap gives you more provider flexibility — you can see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide — while Medicare Advantage plans typically use networks and often include extra benefits like vision or dental.

When is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan?▾

The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time, six-month window that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. After this window closes, you may face medical underwriting and could be denied coverage or charged more.

Is Plan F still available in 2026?▾

Plan F (and Plan C) are no longer available to people who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 before 2020 and already have Plan F, you can keep it. New Medicare beneficiaries should consider Plan G as the most comprehensive alternative, as it covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).

Can I switch Medigap plans after my Open Enrollment Period?▾

Yes, but it is harder. Outside your Open Enrollment Period, switching Medigap plans typically requires medical underwriting — the insurer can review your health history and may deny your application or charge higher premiums. Some states have additional consumer protections. A few specific situations, such as losing employer coverage or moving out of a plan's service area, may trigger a guaranteed issue right that lets you switch without underwriting.

Do Medigap plans cover prescription drugs?▾

No. Medigap plans sold after January 1, 2006, do not include prescription drug coverage. If you have a Medigap plan and want drug coverage, you must enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. When you enroll in Part D during your Initial Enrollment Period, you can avoid the late enrollment penalty that applies if you go without creditable drug coverage for 63 or more consecutive days.

Jennifer Walsh

Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare

This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.

Reviewed June 2026

Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N 2026 →

Which plan saves more money for your healthcare usage pattern.

Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage 2026 →

Original Medicare vs. Part C — the full trade-off explained.

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans →

All 10 Medigap plans with 2026 average premiums by state.

Medicare IRMAA Calculator →

See your Part B & D income surcharge from your MAGI, with the full 2026 bracket table.

Medicare Plan Landscape by State →

CMS 2026 data: how many MA & Part D plans your state has, the average premium, and $0-premium availability.

Medicare Enrollment Timeline →

Your exact Initial Enrollment Period, Part B rules, and AEP dates.

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Sources

This guide is informed by authoritative sources in Medicare coverage and health insurance:

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medicare regulations and enrollment periods
Medicare.gov — official Medicare plan comparison and enrollment tools
Healthcare.gov — ACA marketplace and federal health insurance guidance

Common Medicare coverage gaps to review

These are the most common places a standard policy in this category may leave you exposed. Review each against your declarations page, and ask your insurer or a licensed agent to confirm what your policy actually covers.

Late enrollment penalty exposure. Missing your Initial Enrollment Period for Part B or Part D triggers a permanent monthly penalty for as long as you have coverage. Verify your IEP dates if you turned 65 recently.
IRMAA bracket triggered by income event. A large Roth conversion, Social Security start, or retirement payout can push you into a higher IRMAA bracket - increasing Part B and Part D premiums for the next year.
Dental, vision, hearing not covered by Original Medicare. Original Medicare excludes routine dental, vision, and hearing. Some Medicare Advantage plans include them with caps. Standalone dental/vision/hearing plans are also available.
Network restrictions in Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage plans typically restrict you to a network of providers. Verify your doctors, specialists, and preferred hospital are in-network for the plan year before enrolling.
Switching from Medicare Advantage back to Medigap. Switching from Medigap to MA is usually easy. Switching back from MA to Medigap can require new underwriting - and may not be available in your state without a guaranteed-issue right.

This list is educational, not exhaustive, and not personalized advice. Always confirm coverage against your specific policy contract and consult a licensed agent for binding recommendations.

Questions to ask a licensed agent

If you work with an independent or captive agent, these surface the differences between policies that price-comparison sites tend to hide.

1Am I in my Initial Enrollment Period? When does it close?
2Does my employer coverage qualify as creditable to delay Part B without penalty?
3How does my current income affect IRMAA - and what 2-year lookback applies?
4If I choose Medicare Advantage, what happens if I later want to switch to Medigap in my state?
5Is my Part D plan's formulary covering my current prescriptions for the plan year?
6What dental, vision, and hearing coverage do I need above what Original Medicare provides?

Important Disclaimer

This site provides general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional insurance advice. All rates, data, and coverage details are estimates and may not reflect your actual premiums. Insurance availability and pricing vary by state, insurer, and individual risk factors. Always consult a licensed insurance professional in your state before making coverage decisions.