Medicare Supplement plans: fill the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind
Original Medicare covers a lot, but not everything. There's no out-of-pocket maximum, and you're responsible for deductibles, copays, and 20% coinsurance on most Part B services. A Medigap plan can help cover those costs, and plans are standardized by letter: the same letter offers the same benefits no matter which company sells it.
- Plans are standardized: same letter, same benefits, regardless of carrier
- Your best enrollment window is generally the first 6 months after turning 65 with Part B
- Medigap works with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage
- Pricing varies by carrier, location, age, and rating method
Start with your situation
Which of these sounds like you?
This may not be a good fit if...
The honest signals, before any tool or quote asks for your information.
You have or want Medicare Advantage
you can't have both
You're not yet enrolled in Medicare Part B
you need Part B first
You're under 65 without Medicare
ACA plans may be the right path
You only need prescription drug coverage
Medigap doesn't cover drugs; see Part D
You're eligible for Medicaid
your out-of-pocket costs may already be covered
Check your enrollment window
Your Medigap open enrollment period, generally the first 6 months after you turn 65 with Part B, is usually your best chance to get any plan letter without health questions. After it closes, carriers in most states can deny coverage or charge more based on your health.
Plan G vs. Plan N: where most new enrollees start
A starting point, not a recommendation. Because letters are standardized, comparing carriers within a letter is about price, service, and stability, not benefits.
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered (100%) | Covered, with up to a $20 copay for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't lead to an inpatient admission |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Monthly premium | Generally higher | Generally lower |
| May be worth exploring if | You want predictable costs and minimal out-of-pocket exposure | You want a lower premium and are comfortable with small, defined copays |
Plan F and Plan C are closed to consumers who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Consumers who qualify under the earlier rules may still see Plan F as an option.
By the numbers
The market, without the sales pitch
14.3 million
people were covered by a Medigap policy as of December 31, 2024: 43% of Medicare fee-for-service enrollees, the highest share on record
Source: AHIP, The State of Medicare Supplement Coverage (April 2026)
76%
of Medigap enrollment is Plan G and Plan F together; Plan G keeps growing as new enrollees can no longer buy Plan F
Source: AHIP, The State of Medicare Supplement Coverage (April 2026)
84.5%
industry loss ratio in 2024: $31.8 billion in claims incurred against $37.5 billion in premiums
Source: NAIC, 2024 Medicare Supplement Loss Ratios (2025)
314
companies had standardized Medigap policies in force as of December 2024, giving most consumers a genuine choice of carrier
Source: AHIP, The State of Medicare Supplement Coverage (April 2026)
Understand before you choose
Enrolling in Medicare for the first timeA step-by-step guide for people approaching 65 or newly eligible for Medicare who need to understand what to sign up for, when to enroll, and what supplemental coverage to consider.29 min readStart learningGuide
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: choosing the right Medicare coverage pathA decision-by-decision guide comparing Original Medicare plus Medigap and Part D against Medicare Advantage, covering eligibility, cost, networks, drug coverage, extra benefits, and switching rules.20 min readStart learningGuide
Health insurance when you move to a new stateA step-by-step guide to keeping or replacing your health coverage when you relocate, covering Marketplace plans, Medicare Advantage, Medigap, dental, vision, and short-term insurance.21 min readStart learningCommon questions
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Find my Medicare fitGeneral educational information, not insurance or financial advice. Medicare Supplement plan availability, pricing, and enrollment rules depend on individual circumstances, state regulations, and the current year, and may change. Benefits for each plan letter are set by the federal government; carriers set price and service. Provider-neutral education; sources reviewed for 2026.
