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Many people find it confusing to compare Medigap plans—such as Plan G, Plan K, and Plan N—because most plans share similar core features.
Because Medigap policies are standardized, side-by-side comparisons are straightforward. However, key differences usually involve premiums, plan availability, and the specific insurance provider.
If you are choosing among Medigap insurance policies, this guide will walk you through the key details to help you make an informed decision.
What Is Medigap?
Medicare Supplement Insurance, usually called Medigap, is private insurance that helps pay certain costs left by Original Medicare. It can help with eligible coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles.
Original Medicare pays its share first, and Medigap helps cover the remaining out-of-pocket costs. Generally, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy. (Note that Medicare Advantage works differently, as it replaces Original Medicare rather than supplementing it.)
Why Are Medigap Plans Named With Letters?
Lettered plans provide a standardized way to compare benefits. For example, Plan G offered by one insurance carrier provides the same core benefits as Plan G from any other carrier.
However, premiums, regional availability, and customer service quality can vary significantly. Standardized benefits allow you to compare options directly without having to decipher unique fine print for every company.
Read: How Medicare Advantage Differs From Original Medicare With Medigap?
Which Medigap Plan Letters Are Available?
Most states offer ten standardized plan letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Availability varies by state, and insurance companies are not required to offer every plan letter.
Beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, cannot purchase Plans C or F. Be sure to verify which plans are available under your state’s rules before comparing options.
Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Medigap Plan G offers comprehensive coverage. It covers Part B coinsurance, copayments (after you meet the Part B deductible), and eligible Part B excess charges.
Medigap Plan N also covers most major Medicare cost-sharing expenses. However, it requires copayments for certain office visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits (up to $50). Because its premiums are typically lower than Plan G’s, consider whether the extra copayments align with your routine healthcare use.
Medigap Plan F: Who Can Still Buy It?
If you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you remain eligible to purchase Medigap Plan F. Its standout feature is that it covers the Medicare Part B deductible.
If you already have Plan F, you can keep your policy. However, it is worth comparing its rising premiums with those of other plan letters (such as Plan G) to ensure it remains cost-effective.
High-Deductible Medigap Plans
High-deductible Medigap options feature significantly lower monthly premiums in exchange for higher out-of-pocket spending limits. High-deductible versions are available for Plans F and G.
For 2026, the deductible for High-Deductible Plans F and G is $2,950. If you choose one of these plans, ensure you have sufficient emergency savings to cover medical expenses before policy benefits kick in.
Read: Hearing Aid Coverage in 2026: Medicare, Marketplace, and Discount Programs
How to Compare Medigap Plans by Coverage
While Original Medicare covers many medical services, it does not pay 100% of eligible expenses. Medigap picks up specific remaining costs depending on the lettered plan you select. Here is how key benefits stack up across categories:
Part A Coinsurance
Extended hospital stays can lead to substantial Part A coinsurance charges. Most Medigap plans cover 100% of Part A coinsurance and provide up to an additional 365 days of hospital care after Medicare benefits are exhausted.
Part B Coinsurance or Copayments
Doctor visits and outpatient care usually leave a 20% coinsurance or copayment balance under Part B. Medigap plans help cover this cost, though coverage levels vary by plan letter.
Blood Coverage
Original Medicare does not cover the first three pints of blood needed for a medical procedure. Most Medigap plans cover these first three points at 100%.
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance
Eligible skilled nursing care requires daily coinsurance starting on day 21. Many Medigap plans pay this coinsurance in full, while others cover a percentage or omit it entirely.
Part A Deductible
Medicare Part A charges a deductible for each benefit period (not just once per calendar year). Medigap plans differ in whether they cover all, part, or none of this expense.
Part B Excess Charges
Doctors who do not accept “Medicare assignment” may charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate. Plans G and F cover these excess charges entirely.
Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage
Select Medigap plans cover 80% of eligible emergency care expenses incurred while traveling abroad (after a $250 deductible, up to lifetime limits). Frequent international travelers should carefully check policy terms before traveling.
How to Compare Medigap Premiums
Prices can vary significantly among insurance providers for the same plan letter and benefit package. Comparing quotes across multiple insurance carriers is essential to finding the best value.
Your age, location, tobacco status, and the insurer’s rating method all influence pricing. A plan with a low starting premium may see steeper rate increases over time, so review the provider’s pricing structure and rate history before enrolling.
Read: Healthcare Management in Retirement: Bridging to Medicare
How Medigap Premiums Are Priced
While Original Medicare sets basic cost-sharing rules, private insurers set Medigap premiums within state guidelines using three primary pricing methods:
Community-Rated Pricing
With community-rated pricing, everyone who has the policy pays the same monthly premium regardless of age. Premiums may increase due to inflation or other factors, but not because you get older.
Issue-Age-Rated Pricing
Issue-age-rated pricing bases your premium on your age at the time you buy the policy. Purchasing at a younger age locks in a lower base rate that will not increase solely because of aging.
Attained-Age-Rated Pricing
Attained-age-rated premiums start lower but automatically increase as you age. Combined with inflation adjustments, these plans often become much more expensive over time.
Plan Letter vs. Insurance Company: What Matters More?
A Medigap plan letter defines the policy’s standardized coverage. Plans sharing the same letter provide identical core benefits regardless of which carrier sells them.
However, monthly premiums, rate stability, household discounts, and customer service quality vary considerably between carriers. Comparing providers offering the same plan letter helps you secure high-quality service at the best price.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Medigap Plan?
The best time to buy is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you are automatically both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums due to pre-existing conditions. Applying outside this period may require medical underwriting, though certain qualifying events provide guaranteed-issue rights.
Can You Switch From One Medigap Plan to Another?
You can request to switch Medigap policies at any time, but federal law does not guarantee coverage without medical underwriting after your open enrollment window closes.
Always maintain your existing policy until your new coverage is fully approved and activated. Review state-specific consumer protection rules to see if you qualify for special enrollment rights.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: Don’t Compare the Wrong Products
Medigap works alongside Original Medicare to help pay remaining out-of-pocket expenses. Benefits are standardized by plan letter, and policies generally do not include prescription drug coverage (Part D), which must be purchased separately.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) serves as an alternative to Original Medicare. These plans usually bundle prescription drug coverage and may utilize specific provider networks (HMO/PPO), with copayments and coverage terms varying by plan.
Read: Retirement Secrets for Healthcare Planning
A Simple 5-Step Method to Compare Medigap Letters
To keep your decision clear and organized, follow this five-step framework when evaluating Medigap options:
Step 1: Confirm Your Medicare Eligibility and Enrollment Status
Confirm that you are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. Note your Part B effective date to calculate the exact timeline for your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
Step 2: Identify Which Medigap Plans You Can Buy
Check which plan letters are available for sale in your state. State regulations and your Medicare eligibility date determine which options are available to you (particularly Plans C and F).
Step 3: Compare the Benefits You Need
Evaluate expected healthcare expenses, including hospital stays, Part B cost-sharing, skilled nursing care, potential excess charges, and international travel coverage.
Step 4: Compare Premiums From Multiple Insurers
Obtain premium quotes from multiple insurance carriers for your chosen plan letter. Factor in potential household discounts and premium rating structures.
Step 5: Review Long-Term Costs and Enrollment Rules
Look beyond the initial premium. Consider rate increase histories, medical underwriting requirements, and long-term costs before submitting your application.
Common Medigap Comparison Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent missteps when evaluating your choices:
- Choosing a plan solely by its letter while ignoring carrier-specific differences in pricing, service, and stability.
- Medigap is confusing with Medicare Advantage, which operates under entirely different rules, provider networks, and cost structures.
- Canceling existing coverage before receiving written confirmation that your new policy is active.
- Failing to review state-specific protections and plan availability.
- Assuming all insurance providers offer equal service standards, billing reliability, and rate stability.
How to Choose the Right Medigap Plan for Your Situation
Match your Medigap selection to your personal budget, health expectations, and coverage priorities:
If You Want Maximum Coverage
If you want to minimize out-of-pocket costs at doctor visits, Plan G is the leading choice for those eligible after 2019 (or Plan F if eligible earlier).
If You Want Lower Monthly Premiums
If lower monthly expenses are your priority, Plan N or a high-deductible plan can lower your ongoing costs while maintaining coverage for major medical events.
If You Travel Frequently
Because Original Medicare generally does not cover medical treatment abroad, frequent travelers should choose plans that cover emergency care abroad.
If You Prefer Predictable Healthcare Costs
Plans with comprehensive coverage provide predictable healthcare bills, making monthly budgeting easier for frequent users of medical services.
If You Are Newly Eligible for Medicare
Take full advantage of your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period to secure guaranteed coverage without health screening questions.
Read: Healthcare Management in Retirement: Bridging to Medicare
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Medigap plan letter is the best?
Plan G is widely considered the top option for new beneficiaries due to its comprehensive coverage and broad availability across carriers.
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers all eligible Medicare expenses except the Part B deductible. Plan N has lower premiums but requires copayments for some office and emergency room visits and does not cover Part B excess charges.
Can I switch Medigap plans after enrolling?
Yes, but outside your open enrollment window or a guaranteed issue event, insurance companies may require medical underwriting before issuing a new policy.
Are Medigap plans the same across all insurance companies?
Basic coverage for each plan letter is identical by law across all insurers. However, pricing, rating methods, customer service, and discounts differ significantly.
When is the best time to enroll in Medigap?
The optimal time is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B.
Final Thoughts: Focus on Benefits First, Then Price
Selecting a Medigap plan does not have to be overwhelming. Focus first on the coverage level that fits your health needs, then compare prices and provider stability in your area.
Because benefits for each lettered plan are standardized by law, comparing premiums and carrier reputations will ensure you secure the best long-term value.
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