Compare Medigap Plan G, Plan N, and Plan A coverage and estimated premiums. Find the best Medicare supplement plan for your budget and health needs.
Original Medicare covers most medical costs, but it does not cover everything. After meeting the Part B deductible ($257/year in 2026), you still pay 20% of all Medicare-approved services — with no annual out-of-pocket maximum. A single major surgery or hospitalization can cost thousands in out-of-pocket expenses. Medigap insurance fills these gaps by covering your cost-sharing obligations, giving you more predictable healthcare costs.
Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, meaning Plan G from Company A covers exactly the same services as Plan G from Company B — only the premium differs. This makes comparison shopping straightforward: get quotes for the same plan from multiple insurers and choose the lowest premium. Currently, the most popular plans for new Medicare beneficiaries are Plan G (most comprehensive) and Plan N (lower premium with modest copays).
The critical timing issue: your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are 65 or older AND enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers must accept your application at the same rate as any healthy enrollee — regardless of health status. Miss this window, and companies in most states can charge more or deny coverage based on your health history. Buying Medigap at 65 during open enrollment, even before you need it, is almost always the right strategy.
Susan is 65 and enrolling in Medicare. She sees her doctor about 8 times per year and takes 2 maintenance prescriptions. She wants Medigap coverage for predictable costs. Plan G quotes: $165/month. Plan N quotes: $125/month ($40/month less).
For Susan in good health, Plan N saves $320/year. However, if her health changes and she needs frequent specialist visits, Plan N's copays ($20 each) can add up. Plan G is the better choice for those who value simplicity and worst-case protection, while Plan N works well for healthier seniors comfortable with modest copays.
Open Enrollment Timing Is Critical
Your Medigap open enrollment window is one-time — 6 months starting when you have both Part B and are 65+. During this window, guaranteed issue rights protect you. After it closes, most states allow medical underwriting, meaning a new diagnosis (cancer, diabetes, heart disease) can make Medigap unavailable or very expensive. Buy during open enrollment at 65 even if you are healthy — the cost of waiting can be enormous if your health changes.
Premium Rate Increases Over Time
Most Medigap plans use attained-age rating, meaning your premium increases each year as you age. A Plan G policy at $165/month at age 65 might cost $250/month by age 75 and $350/month by age 85. Community-rated states (CT, MA, ME, MN, NY, VT, WA) require the same premium regardless of age. When comparing plans, ask about historical rate increase trends — some insurers are more aggressive than others in raising premiums over time.
Plan F vs. Plan G
Plan F was the most popular Medigap plan for decades — it covers everything including the Part B deductible. However, Plan F is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you are new to Medicare (turned 65 in 2020 or later), Plan G is now the most comprehensive available plan. Plan G covers everything Plan F covered except the $257 annual Part B deductible — a simple calculation: if Plan G costs more than $257 less per year than Plan F, Plan G is the better value.
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Medigap (also called Medicare Supplement insurance) is private health insurance that fills the "gaps" in Original Medicare coverage — the deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Medicare Parts A and B don't fully cover. Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government — Plan G from any insurer provides identical coverage, though premiums vary. Medigap does NOT work with Medicare Advantage plans; it is only for people with Original Medicare. Common coverage gaps Medigap fills include the Part A hospital deductible ($1,676 per benefit period in 2026), Part B coinsurance (20% after deductible), and extended hospital stays beyond 60 days.
Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medigap plans for new Medicare beneficiaries. Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to those new to Medicare — it covers everything except the $257 annual Part B deductible. After paying that deductible, you pay $0 for all Medicare-approved services. Plan N provides the same basic coverage but adds copays of up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits (waived if you are admitted). Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan N premiums are typically $30–$60/month less than Plan G at age 65. Choose Plan G if you want maximum coverage and predictable costs; choose Plan N if you are healthy and want lower premiums while accepting modest copays.
The best time to buy Medigap is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurance companies cannot deny your Medigap application or charge you more based on pre-existing health conditions — this is called guaranteed issue. After this window closes, companies in most states can use medical underwriting, potentially denying coverage or charging higher premiums if you have health conditions. If you are approaching 65, research Medigap plans now so you are ready to enroll as soon as your Part B coverage begins.
During your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers CANNOT deny your application or charge more due to health conditions. Outside this window, in most states, insurers CAN use medical underwriting and deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health status. There are exceptions: several states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, Washington) require community rating and offer stronger guaranteed issue rights regardless of health status. Additionally, certain federal rights guarantee acceptance when you lose coverage due to specific situations — such as losing Medicare Advantage coverage, losing employer coverage, or moving out of a plan's service area.
Yes — Medigap and Medicare Supplement insurance refer to the same type of product. Both terms are used interchangeably for private insurance policies that supplement Original Medicare by covering deductibles, coinsurance, and other cost-sharing. The name "Medigap" emphasizes that the insurance fills the "gaps" in Medicare coverage. Insurance companies, agents, and Medicare all use both terms. Medigap policies have standardized plan letters (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N) — the same letter plan provides identical coverage regardless of which insurance company sells it, though premiums vary significantly between companies.
Medicare Disclaimer
These calculators provide estimates based on 2026 Medicare data for educational purposes only. Actual Medigap premiums vary by insurer, age, state, and health status. Contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or medicare.gov for official information. Consult a licensed Medicare advisor for personalized Medigap plan comparison. Not affiliated with Medicare or the US government.
Medigap premiums and regulations vary by state. Seven states (CT, MA, ME, MN, NY, VT, WA) require community rating. Select your state for local Medigap plan details, estimated premiums, and SHIP counseling contact information.