Medigap Plans: Compare All 10 Medicare Supplement Plans (2026)
Fill the gaps in Original Medicare with standardized supplement plans that cover deductibles, copays, and coinsurance — see any Medicare doctor nationwide.
standardized plan types
most popular in 2026
typical monthly premium (Plan G)
see any Medicare provider nationwide
Key Takeaways
- Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans help cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't pay — like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance
- There are 10 standardized plan types (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) — benefits are identical regardless of which company sells the plan
- Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in 2026, covering everything except the annual Part B deductible ($257)
- The best time to enroll is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (starting at age 65 + Part B enrollment) when no medical underwriting applies
What Is Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance)?
Medigap plans — officially called Medicare Supplement Insurance — are private health insurance policies designed to fill the "gaps" in Original Medicare coverage. While Original Medicare (Parts A and B) covers most medical services, it leaves you responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that can add up to thousands of dollars per year.
A Medigap policy works alongside Original Medicare: Medicare pays its share first, then your Medigap plan pays some or all of the remaining costs depending on which plan you choose. This gives you predictable healthcare expenses and protection against large, unexpected medical bills.
Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government. This means Plan G from one company offers the exact same benefits as Plan G from another company — the only differences are price and customer service. This standardization makes it easy to comparison shop.
The 10 Standardized Medigap Plans
Each lettered plan offers a different level of coverage. Here's a quick overview:
Plan A (Basic)
Basic benefits only. Covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs.
Plan B (Basic+)
Plan A benefits + Part A deductible.
Plan C (Full*)
Full coverage including Part B deductible. Only for those eligible before 2020.
Plan D (High)
Similar to Plan C but without Part B deductible coverage.
Plan F (Full*)
Most comprehensive. Covers everything. Only for those eligible before 2020.
Plan G (Near-Full)Popular
Covers everything except the Part B deductible ($257/year). Most popular plan.
Plan K (Partial)
Covers 50% of costs. Lower premiums with an annual out-of-pocket limit.
Plan L (Partial+)
Covers 75% of costs. Moderate premiums with an annual out-of-pocket limit.
Plan M (Mid)
Covers 50% of Part A deductible. Less common plan.
Plan N (High)Popular
Similar to Plan G but with small copays for office/ER visits. Lower premiums.
*Plans C and F are only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Medigap Coverage Comparison Chart (2026)
This chart shows what each plan covers. All plans are standardized, so benefits are the same regardless of which insurance company you buy from.
| Benefit | A | B | C* | D | F* | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance/copay | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓† |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A deductible | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ |
| Part B deductible | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Part B excess charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✗ | ✗ | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | ✗ | ✗ | 80% | 80% |
*Plans C and F only available to those Medicare-eligible before 1/1/2020. \u2020Plan N copays: up to $20 for office visits, up to $50 for ER (if not admitted).
For a more detailed breakdown, visit our full Medigap comparison chart.
How Much Do Medigap Plans Cost?
Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans have a monthly premium that varies by plan type, your age, location, gender, and tobacco use. Here are typical monthly ranges for the most popular plans:
| Plan | Typical Monthly Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Plan G | $100–$250/mo | Most comprehensive coverage available |
| Plan N | $80–$200/mo | Lower premiums with small copays |
| Plan F* | $150–$350/mo | Full coverage (pre-2020 eligible only) |
| High-Deductible G | $30–$70/mo | Lowest premiums, $2,870 deductible first |
Important: Medigap premiums are in addition to your Medicare Part B premium ($185/month in 2026). Your total monthly cost is the Medigap premium + Part B premium + a separate Part D drug plan premium if you want prescription coverage.
Medigap Eligibility & When to Enroll
To purchase a Medigap plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. The timing of your enrollment matters significantly:
6-month window starting when you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Part B. During this period, companies cannot deny you or charge more due to pre-existing conditions. This is your guaranteed-issue right.
You can apply anytime, but companies can use medical underwriting — meaning they may deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history.
Certain life events (like losing employer coverage or your MA plan leaving your area) give you a guaranteed right to buy a Medigap plan without medical underwriting.
Most Popular Medigap Plans in 2026
Plan G
Covers everything except the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). The go-to choice for new Medicare beneficiaries who want comprehensive, predictable coverage.
- All Part A & B cost-sharing
- Skilled nursing coinsurance
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Plan N
Similar to Plan G but with small copays ($20 office / $50 ER). Premiums are typically 15-25% lower, making it ideal for healthy beneficiaries who want to save on monthly costs.
- All Part A & B cost-sharing
- Skilled nursing coinsurance
- No Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
This is one of the most important decisions in Medicare. Here's how the two paths compare:
| Feature | Medigap + Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | Higher (Part B + Medigap + Part D) | Lower (often $0 plan premium) |
| Out-of-pocket when sick | Very low or $0 | Copays/coinsurance up to MOOP |
| Provider choice | Any Medicare provider nationwide | Network-based (HMO/PPO) |
| Drug coverage | Separate Part D plan | Usually included |
| Dental/vision/hearing | Not included | Often included |
| Referrals needed | Never | Often (HMO plans) |
Choose Medigap if you:
- Want predictable, low out-of-pocket costs
- Want freedom to see any doctor nationwide
- Travel frequently or split time between states
- Can afford higher monthly premiums
Choose Medicare Advantage if you:
- Want lower monthly premiums
- Want dental, vision, and drugs in one plan
- Don't mind using a provider network
- Prefer an all-in-one plan
Frequently Asked Questions About Medigap
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