Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans (Medigap)

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, also known as Medigap, help pay for the gaps in coverage left by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). If you visit the doctor or hospital often, your out-of-pocket costs can add up quickly. Medigap plans help cover these costs, such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments, giving you more predictable monthly expenses.

How Medicare Supplement Insurance Works with Original Medicare

To buy a Medigap policy, you must first have Medicare Part A and Part B. Think of Medicare Supplement Insurance as a safety net for your current coverage.

Original Medicare is the first payer—it pays its share of your doctor or hospital bill before any other payer. Then, your Medigap plan steps in to pay its share of the remaining costs, such as your 20% coinsurance. This "fills the gaps" so you aren't left with a large, unexpected bill.

Medicare Supplement Plan Benefits

While there are different plans (labeled A through N), every plan must cover at least a portion of these core costs:

• Part A Hospital Costs: Extra coverage for up to 365 days after your Medicare benefits are used up.

• Hospice Care: Covers Part B coinsurance and copayments for end-of-life care.

• Blood Transfusions: Covers the cost of the first three pints of blood for medical procedures.

• Part B Coinsurance: Helps pay the 20% cost that Medicare usually leaves for you to pay.

One of the biggest perks of Medigap is the freedom it offers. You can see any doctor in the country who accepts Original Medicare. You do not need a referral to see a specialist.

Comparing Popular Medicare Supplement Plans: Plan G and Plan N

The government standardizes these plans. This means a Plan G from one company has the exact same medical benefits as a Plan G from another company.

Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N

• Plan G: This is the most popular choice for new enrollees because it is the most complete. It covers almost everything except the Part B yearly deductible.

• Plan N: This plan often has lower monthly prices. In exchange, you pay small copays (up to $20) for some doctor visits and emergency room trips.

2026 Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison Chart

Below is a general comparison of the benefits of each standardized Medigap plan:

* Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. With this option, you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles) up to the deductible amount of $2,950 in 2026 before your policy pays anything. (Plans C and F aren’t available to people who were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.)

** For Plans K and L, after you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

*** Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient admission.

Is a Medicare Supplement plan worth it?

Whether a Medicare Supplement plan is right for you depends on your specific coverage needs and situation. Learn more about the individual Medicare Supplement Insurance plans below:

Three Things to Consider Before Medicare Supplement Enrollment

As you prepare to sign up for a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, it’s important to remember the following:

1. Medigap Plan Requirements and Limitations

• You must have Medicare Parts A and B in order to buy a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy.

• A Medicare Supplement Insurance policy can only cover one individual. If you and your spouse both want Medigap coverage, you will each need a separate policy.

• Prescription drugs are not covered by Medicare Supplement Insurance.

• Medigap policies generally do not cover vision or dental care, hearing aids, eyeglasses, long-term care, or private nursing.

• Medicare Supplement Insurance plan availability will vary by state.

• Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medicare Advantage (Part C) are different types of plans.
  
  

2. Medicare Supplement Insurance Coverage

• You are eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy (Medigap) on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. You must already be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. During this time, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, even if you have health problems.

• You pay the private insurance company a monthly premium for your Medicare Supplement Insurance policy. This cost is in addition to the cost you pay for your Medicare Part B premium.

• Any standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed to renew each year, even if you have health problems. This means the insurance company cannot cancel your Medicare Supplement Insurance policy as long as you pay the premium.
  
  

3. Medicare Supplement Insurance vs. Medicare Advantage Plans

Before you enroll in a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan, you’ll want to make sure you understand the difference between Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement Insurance. Here’s a brief overview of the differences between the two:

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

• Intended to fill the gaps in coverage from Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)

• Typically, a higher monthly premium and lower out-of-pocket expenses

• Provides coverage for any doctor or facility that accepts Original Medicare

• Provides coverage in all 50 states, with some plans providing coverage when traveling outside of the U.S.
  
  

Medicare Advantage Plans

• An alternative to Original Medicare (Part A and B)

• Generally costs less than Medicare Supplement Insurance and may cover more services

• Limits you to doctors and facilities within the HMO or PPO, and may not cover out-of-network care

• Can only operate within a certain region

Explore Medicare Supplement Plans in Your State

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are available from private insurance companies in all states. To find out more, just click on your state within the map on this page, select a state from the drop-down menu, or click on one of the links below.