Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap)
Updated September 2026 · 2026 figures from CMS and Medicare.gov
Medicare supplement plans, also called Medigap, are private policies that pay some or all of what Original Medicare leaves you to pay: deductibles, the 20% Part B coinsurance and hospital coinsurance. Plans are standardized by letter, so a Plan G has the same benefits whichever company sells it — only price and service differ.
Medigap plans compared
| Benefit | A | B | C* | D | F* | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (365 extra days) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓** |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hospice coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Part A deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ | |
| Part B deductible | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Part B excess charges | ✓ | ✓ | ||||||||
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plans C and F can only be bought by people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. ** Plan N pays the Part B coinsurance except for copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't lead to an inpatient admission. Plans K and L have yearly out-of-pocket limits. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their Medigap plans differently.
The most popular plans
- Plan G: covers everything except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). The most popular choice for new enrollees.
- Plan F: covers everything, including the Part B deductible, but only for people eligible for Medicare before 2020.
- Plan N: lower premium in exchange for small office and ER copays and no coverage of Part B excess charges.
- High-deductible Plan G: much lower premium; you pay costs up to a yearly deductible before the plan pays.
When to buy: the Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Your best time to buy is the 6-month period that starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, insurers must sell you any policy they offer at their best rate, regardless of your health. After it, in most states they can use medical underwriting, charge more or decline you — unless you have a guaranteed-issue right.
How Medigap premiums are priced
- Community-rated: everyone pays the same regardless of age.
- Issue-age-rated: based on your age when you buy; doesn't rise because you get older.
- Attained-age-rated: based on your current age; rises as you age.
All types can rise with inflation and claims. Compare prices from several insurers for the same letter plan: the coverage is identical.
Things Medigap doesn't do
- It doesn't cover prescription drugs — buy a separate Part D plan.
- It doesn't work with Medicare Advantage.
- It covers one person; spouses need their own policies.
- It doesn't cover long-term care, routine dental, vision or hearing aids.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Medicare supplement plan?
Plan G is the most popular for new enrollees because it covers everything except the Part B deductible. Plan N costs less if you accept small copays.
When can I buy a Medicare supplement plan?
Any time, but the best time is your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when you can't be turned down or charged more for health reasons.
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?
No. You need a separate Part D plan.
Are all Plan G policies the same?
Yes. The benefits are standardized; only the price, rate increases and customer service differ between insurers.