Medicare in Massachusetts serves about 1.4 million beneficiaries, with 38% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $185/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $46/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
1.4 million
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
38%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$185/mo
New enrollee, age 65
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available | 35+ | Varies by county; check medicare.gov plan finder |
| Top MA carriers | Tufts Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield MA | Networks differ by county |
| Stand-alone Part D | $46/mo | Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | Yes — state protection applies | Massachusetts has community rating for Medigap with annual open enrollment in the fall — the most comprehensive guaranteed-issue protections of any state, applicable every year. |
Medigap premiums vary by carrier, age, and ZIP code. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month and Part B deductible is $283. Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026.
Massachusetts has the most comprehensive Medigap consumer protections in the nation. Not only is Medigap community-rated (everyone in the same age group pays the same premium), but the state mandates an annual open enrollment period each fall during which any Medicare beneficiary can switch Medigap plans without medical underwriting. Tufts Health Plan (now Point32Health, also parent of Harvard Pilgrim) is the dominant local MA and Medigap carrier in Massachusetts, with a strong reputation for customer service and network breadth. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts and UnitedHealthcare are the other major players. Massachusetts' hospital ecosystem is world-class — Mass General Brigham, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute are all nationally ranked systems.
Despite the strong Medigap protections, only about 38% of Massachusetts beneficiaries are on MA — below the national average. This partially reflects the higher base cost of Medigap community-rated premiums ($185/month average for Plan G) and the preference among Massachusetts' more educated, higher-income senior population for the flexibility and specialist access of Original Medicare at prestigious academic medical centers. The annual fall Medigap open enrollment period — typically in the same window as AEP — allows beneficiaries to actively shop and switch each year. High household incomes in Greater Boston, the South Shore, and Cape Cod communities mean IRMAA surcharges affect a significant share of the Medicare population.
In Massachusetts, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 38% of Massachusetts beneficiaries currently choose MA.
Massachusetts has community rating for Medigap with annual open enrollment in the fall — the most comprehensive guaranteed-issue protections of any state, applicable every year.
💡 Massachusetts Pro Tip
Massachusetts beneficiaries in the Greater Boston area typically have access to 35 or more Medicare Advantage plans. Tufts Health Plan/Point32Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield MA, and UnitedHealthcare are the primary carriers. Western Massachusetts (Springfield area) and Cape Cod generally have 15 to 25 options.
Medigap Plan G premiums in Massachusetts average approximately $185 per month for a 65-year-old. Because Massachusetts uses community rating, this premium reflects the cost spread across all enrollees regardless of health status — healthy 65-year-olds pay more than in non-community-rated states, but those with pre-existing conditions pay far less than they would face medical underwriting.
Yes — Massachusetts provides one of the strongest Medigap switching rights in the country. The state mandates community rating and an annual open enrollment period each fall during which any beneficiary can switch Medigap plans with no medical underwriting required. This applies every year for life, not just at age 65.
Beneficiary counts and MA enrollment percentages from CMS state-level Medicare data; premium averages from 2026 carrier rate filings for Massachusetts. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
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 May 2026
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