How a Supplement Works
You keep Original Medicare (Parts A and B) as your primary coverage, and the Supplement pays second. Because Medicare is the primary payer, you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare — no networks, no referrals, no prior authorization from the Supplement. Medigap policies do not include drug coverage, so most people pair one with a Part D plan.
Plan G and Plan N — The Two Plans Most People Choose
| Covers | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | Yes | Yes |
| Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | No — you pay it once a year | No — you pay it once a year |
| Part B 20% coinsurance | 100% | 100% after copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission |
| Part B excess charges (doctors who bill above Medicare's rate) | Yes | No |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% after a deductible, to a lifetime limit | 80% after a deductible, to a lifetime limit |
| Typical premium | Higher | Lower — often the better value if you rarely see doctors |
Plans C and F are available only to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. High-deductible versions of Plans G and F exist with much lower premiums. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.
When You Can Get One Without Health Questions
- Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: the 6 months starting the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During these six months an insurer must sell you any plan it offers at its best rate, regardless of health. This window does not repeat.
- Guaranteed-issue rights: certain situations — your Advantage plan leaves your area, you lose employer coverage, you used your 12-month "trial right" after first joining Advantage, and others — give you a limited window to buy specific plans without underwriting.
- Outside those windows, most companies ask health questions and can decline or rate up. A few states (for example New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine) have broader protections, and some states have "birthday rules" that let you change carriers each year. We know which apply to you.
How Pricing Works, and Why It Matters
Because the benefits of a given plan letter are identical from company to company, the comparison is mostly about price today and the company's history of rate increases. Insurers price three ways: community-rated (everyone pays the same), issue-age-rated (based on your age when you buy), or attained-age-rated (rises as you get older — the most common and the one to watch). We compare current premiums and rate history across the carriers in your state, including household discounts.
Supplement or Advantage?
Supplements suit people who want the broadest doctor choice, predictable bills and freedom to travel, and who are comfortable paying a monthly premium for it. Our side-by-side comparison walks through the trade-offs honestly.
Common Questions
Is Plan G the best Medicare Supplement?
Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to people new to Medicare since 2020, which is why it's popular. Plan N often costs meaningfully less and makes sense for people who see doctors infrequently. The better choice depends on your use of care and the premiums in your ZIP code.
Can I be denied a Medicare Supplement?
Not during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or when you have a guaranteed-issue right. At other times, in most states, companies can ask health questions and decline or charge more. Some states give broader protections.
Do Medigap plans cover prescriptions?
No. Policies sold today don't include drug coverage. You add a stand-alone Part D plan, and timing matters — going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can trigger a permanent Part D late-enrollment penalty.
Why do two companies charge different prices for the same Plan G?
The benefits are standardized, the pricing is not. Companies differ in their rating method, discounts, and their history of annual increases. We show you the current price and the carrier's increase history before you choose.
Can I switch Medigap companies to save money?
Usually yes, if you can pass medical underwriting — or without underwriting in states with birthday or anniversary rules. We review your premium every year and tell you when a switch is worth it.
