medicare supplement plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly known as Medigap, is private health insurance that helps pay some of the costs not covered by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). These include copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles — often referred to as “gaps” in coverage.

Medigap policies are standardized and sold by private insurance companies. They work only with Original Medicare, not with Medicare Advantage (Part C).

Medigap plans supplement your Original Medicare benefits. They typically cover:

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
   
• Part B coinsurance or copayment
   
• First 3 pints of blood
   
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
   
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
   
• Part A and/or Part B deductibles (varies by plan)
   
• Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)
   

      Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You’ll need a separate Part D plan for that.
 

Medigap plans are standardized by federal law and labeled by letters: Plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N. Plans C and F are only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
 

Here’s a quick summary of the most popular plans:

Plan                                                              Key Benefits 

Plan G                                                          Most comprehensive for new enrollees; covers                                everything except Part B deductible

Plan N                                                          Lower premiums; small copays for doctor/ER visits

Plan A                                                          Basic benefits; lowest coverage minimums

Plan K/L                                                       Lower-cost plans with cost-sharing and out-of-pocket limits

Plan F                                                           Covers all gaps, including Part B deductible (only for those eligible before 2020) 

        (While benefits are identical for each plan letter, costs can vary by insurance company and location)
 

To buy a Medigap policy, you must:

• Be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B
   
• Not be enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan
   
• Live in the policy’s service area
   

You can apply anytime, but the best time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. 

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is:

• A 6-month window that begins the first day of the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B
   

During this time:

✅ You have guaranteed issue rights (no medical underwriting)
✅ Insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to health conditions

After this period, you may be subject to medical underwriting or denial of coverage, depending on your state.
 

Your monthly premium varies based on:

• The plan letter you choose (A–N)
   
• The insurance company
   
• Your age, gender, and location
   
• The insurer’s pricing method (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated)
   

You still pay your Medicare Part B premium in addition to your Medigap premium.

Feature                     Medigap + Original  Medicare          Medicare Advantage (PartC)

Provider Flexibility   Any doctor/hospital takes Medicare  Often limited - network provider  

Referrals Needed     No                                                                Often required 

Drug Coverage         Requires separate Part D plan             Often included 

Foreign Travel           Some plans cover emergency care    Limited coverage, if any 

Monthly Premiums Higher (premium + Part B)                   Lower or $0 premiums possible OOP Limits                No annual limit                                        Must include a max limit      

** e.g. max limit in 2025 is $8,850

** OOP = Out-of-Pocket

• Medigap policies cover only one person — spouses must buy separate policies
   
• Not all plan types are available in every state
   
• Prescription drugs are not included — add a Part D plan to avoid penalties
   
• You cannot use a Medigap plan if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan
   

Choosing the right Medigap plan depends on your:

• Budget
• Health needs 
• Travel preferences 
• Comfort with paying out-of-pocket vs higher premiums
   

      Contact a licensed Medicare agent, visit Medicare.gov, or speak to your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for personalized guidance.