Senior Health Updated March 2026 17 min read

Best Medicare Supplement Plans 2026 (Medigap)

Q: What is the difference between Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N?

Plan G covers everything Plan N covers, plus the Medicare Part B excess charges. Plan N requires copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. Plan G typically costs $10–$30/month more than Plan N. If you rarely see doctors, Plan N may cost less overall; if you see specialists frequently in states that allow excess charges, Plan G provides more complete protection.

Q: When is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?

The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B and lasts for 6 months. During this window, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health. Outside this window, you may face medical underwriting — meaning you could be denied coverage or charged more based on pre-existing conditions.

Q: How much does Medicare Supplement insurance cost per month?

Medicare Supplement premiums vary by plan type, age, location, gender, and tobacco use. For a 65-year-old non-smoker, Plan G typically costs $90–$200/month, and Plan N typically costs $70–$160/month. Premiums increase with age. Rates vary significantly by state and carrier — comparing multiple insurers in your zip code is essential since they all offer the same standardized benefits but can charge very different premiums.

Q: Is Medicare Supplement Plan F still available?

Plan F is still available but only to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020, you cannot purchase Plan F. For those who can still get Plan F, it offers the most comprehensive coverage (covering the Part B deductible that Plan G does not), but it is also the most expensive plan and is being phased out of the market over time.

Q: Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans?

You can apply to switch Medigap plans at any time, but outside of your Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period, you will likely need to pass medical underwriting. If you have significant health conditions, you may be denied or charged more. In some states (California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Washington), insurers must accept you regardless of health during certain periods. Switching to a lower-cost plan of the same type with a different carrier is generally the most successful switch.

Q: Does Medicare Supplement cover prescription drugs?

No. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans do not cover prescription drugs. If you want prescription drug coverage, you need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan. Medigap plans sold after 2006 are prohibited from including drug coverage. If you have an older Medigap plan with drug coverage, you generally cannot also enroll in Part D.

Q: What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to pay costs that Medicare doesn't cover. Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private plan. Medigap offers more predictable costs and typically more provider flexibility (any doctor accepting Medicare). Medicare Advantage often has lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs and network restrictions. You cannot have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage simultaneously.

Original Medicare covers approximately 80% of your medical costs. Medicare Supplement insurance — also called Medigap — pays most or all of the remaining 20%, eliminating the unpredictable out-of-pocket costs that can make healthcare expensive for retirees. This guide explains the best Medigap plans for 2026, how Plan G and Plan N compare, and which carriers offer the best rates.

In This Guide

How Medicare Supplement Insurance Works
Plan G vs. Plan N vs. Plan F — Full Comparison
Best Medigap Plans for 2026
Top Medicare Supplement Carriers
When and How to Enroll
How Much Does Medigap Cost?
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Frequently Asked Questions

How Medicare Supplement Insurance Works

When you receive medical care under Original Medicare (Parts A and B), Medicare pays its share and you are responsible for the remainder — including deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Without supplemental coverage, these costs are unpredictable and can be substantial. A single hospital stay could cost thousands of dollars in Part A deductibles and daily coinsurance.

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are sold by private insurance companies to cover these gaps. They are standardized by the federal government, meaning a Plan G from AARP/UnitedHealthcare covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from Mutual of Omaha — only the premium and company reputation differ. Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare, not instead of it.

Key Point: Standardized Benefits

Every insurance company selling Medigap must offer the same standardized plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N — Plan F for pre-2020 eligibles). Benefits are identical across carriers for the same plan letter. The only difference between carriers is the monthly premium, customer service, and rate increase history.

What Medigap Covers

Medigap plans cover some combination of:

Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted)
Medicare Part A deductible ($1,632 in 2024)
Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment (the 20% you owe after Medicare pays 80%)
Medicare Part B deductible (Plan F only, for pre-2020 eligibles)
Medicare Part B excess charges (Plans F and G)
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
Foreign travel emergency coverage (Plans D, G, M, N — 80% up to plan limits)
Blood (first 3 pints)

Plan G vs. Plan N vs. Plan F — Full Comparison

Coverage Feature	Plan F	Plan G Most Popular	Plan N
Part A coinsurance (hospital)	✓	✓	✓
Part A deductible	✓	✓	✓
Part B coinsurance / copayment	✓	✓	Copays up to $20 (office) / $50 (ER)
Part B deductible	✓	✗	✗
Part B excess charges	✓	✓	✗
Skilled nursing coinsurance	✓	✓	✓
Foreign travel emergency	✓ (80%)	✓ (80%)	✓ (80%)
Available to 2020+ enrollees	✗ (closed)	✓	✓
Typical monthly premium (age 65)	$140–$220	$90–$200	$70–$160

Best Medigap Plans for 2026

Best Overall

Plan G — Best for Comprehensive Coverage

~$90–$200/month (age 65, varies by location and carrier)

Part A DeductibleCovered

Part B CoinsuranceCovered (100%)

Part B ExcessCovered

Part B DeductibleNot covered

Foreign Travel80% (up to limits)

AvailabilityAll 2020+ enrollees

Plan G is now the most popular Medigap plan for new Medicare enrollees, replacing Plan F after Plan F was closed to new enrollees in January 2020. Plan G covers virtually everything Plan F covers except the Medicare Part B annual deductible ($240 in 2024). Given that this deductible is relatively small compared to potential out-of-pocket costs, Plan G typically offers better value — premiums are lower than Plan F and the one gap (the Part B deductible) is a predictable, modest annual expense.

Plan G is particularly valuable for people who see specialists frequently, live in states that allow Part B excess charges, or want maximum predictability in their healthcare costs. After paying your Part B deductible once per year, you have essentially no out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services.

✓ Why Choose Plan G

Near-zero out-of-pocket after deductible
Covers Part B excess charges (important in some states)
More stable premium pool than Plan F
Available to all new Medicare enrollees
Works with any doctor who accepts Medicare

✗ Considerations

Does not cover Part B deductible ($240/yr)
Higher premium than Plan N
No Rx coverage (need separate Part D)

Best Value

Plan N — Best for Healthy, Lower-Cost Option

~$70–$160/month (age 65, varies by location and carrier)

Part A DeductibleCovered

Part B CoinsuranceCopays up to $20/$50

Part B ExcessNot covered

Part B DeductibleNot covered

Foreign Travel80% (up to limits)

AvailabilityAll 2020+ enrollees

Plan N offers meaningful coverage at a lower premium than Plan G. The tradeoffs are: copayments of up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per emergency room visit (waived if admitted), and no coverage for Part B excess charges. For people who see doctors infrequently and live in states where excess charges are prohibited or rare, Plan N can save $20–$50/month compared to Plan G while providing nearly equivalent protection.

Plan N is a strong choice for relatively healthy retirees who want the security of major medical cost coverage (hospitalization, skilled nursing, etc.) without paying for comprehensive outpatient coverage they may rarely use.

✓ Why Choose Plan N

Lower monthly premium than Plan G
Strong protection for hospitalizations
Covers Part A deductible and coinsurance
Good for infrequent medical users

✗ Considerations

Copays per office/ER visit
No Part B excess charge coverage
Costs can add up with frequent visits

Top Medicare Supplement Carriers 2026

Largest Carrier

AARP/UnitedHealthcare — Largest Medigap Insurer

Plans OfferedA, B, C, F, G, K, L, N

AARP MembershipRequired

Rate Increase HistoryModerate

AM Best RatingA (Excellent)

AARP/UnitedHealthcare is the largest Medigap insurer in the United States, covering approximately 4.3 million policyholders. Enrollment requires an AARP membership ($16/year). Their household discount of up to 5% applies when two household members are enrolled. UHC uses community rating in many states, which can mean premiums increase more slowly over time compared to attained-age rated plans — a significant long-term advantage.

Best for: People who value brand recognition, financial stability, and broad availability. Not always the lowest initial premium, but competitive rate increase history.

Best Value Carrier

Mutual of Omaha — Best Rates for Many Regions

Plans OfferedA, F, G, N

MembershipNot required

Rate Increase HistoryLow to moderate

AM Best RatingA+ (Superior)

Mutual of Omaha consistently offers competitive premiums in many states and carries an A+ AM Best rating — the highest available. They are particularly competitive for Plan G pricing in the Midwest and South. No membership requirements; straightforward enrollment. Electronic funds transfer discounts and household discounts typically available.

Best for: Price-conscious shoppers who want financially strong coverage without membership requirements.

Strong Option

Cigna — Competitive Rates, Nationwide Availability

Plans OfferedA, F, G, N

MembershipNot required

Rate Increase HistoryModerate

AM Best RatingA (Excellent)

Cigna offers competitive Medigap premiums with broad national availability. They offer a household discount when two members of the same household are enrolled in any Cigna health plan. Cigna is often a price leader in the Northeast and West Coast markets.

Best for: Shoppers in states where Cigna is price-competitive; good household discount option.

When and How to Enroll in Medigap

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

The most important enrollment window is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period: a 6-month period that starts the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, any insurance company licensed to sell Medigap in your state must:

Sell you any Medigap plan they offer
Cannot deny your application or charge higher premiums based on health conditions
Cannot impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions (with limited exceptions)

Critical Warning: Don't Miss Your Open Enrollment Window

Outside of your Open Enrollment Period, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting — they can deny your application or charge significantly higher premiums based on your health history. Common conditions that lead to denial include heart disease, cancer history, COPD, diabetes with complications, and recent hospitalizations.

Special Enrollment Periods

In certain circumstances, you may have a guaranteed issue right to purchase Medigap without medical underwriting outside your Open Enrollment Period:

You lose other health coverage through no fault of your own
You leave a Medicare Advantage plan during its first year (trial right)
Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves the Medicare program or stops coverage in your area
You move out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area

States with Year-Round Guaranteed Issue

Several states provide additional guaranteed issue protections: California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington have various forms of open enrollment or guaranteed issue rights beyond the federal standard. If you live in one of these states, you have more flexibility to enroll or switch plans.

How Much Does Medigap Cost?

Medigap premiums vary significantly based on:

Plan type: Plan G > Plan N in premium cost; Plan F highest (when available)
Your age: Premiums typically increase as you age under attained-age pricing
Location: State and county of residence significantly affects rates
Gender: Women often pay less than men in states that allow gender rating
Tobacco use: Smokers pay 10–15% more at many carriers
Rating method: Community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated plans have different long-term cost profiles

Premium Pricing Methods

Community-rated: Same premium for all enrollees regardless of age. Premiums only increase due to inflation and medical costs. Best long-term value for most.
Issue-age-rated: Premium based on your age when you buy. Doesn't increase as you age (only inflation increases). Good second option.
Attained-age-rated: Premium increases each year as you age. Lowest initial premium but highest long-term cost. Most common.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Is Better?

This is the most common Medicare decision, and the right answer depends on your health needs, finances, and priorities.

Factor	Medigap + Part D	Medicare Advantage
Monthly premium	$90–$200+ (plus Part D)	$0–$50 (many plans)
Provider network	Any doctor accepting Medicare (nationwide)	Network restricted (HMO/PPO)
Out-of-pocket costs	Very predictable, very low (after deductible)	Variable; can be high with serious illness
Referrals needed	No	Often yes (HMO plans)
Extra benefits	No (dental/vision/hearing not included)	Often includes dental, vision, hearing, gym
Best for	Serious health conditions, frequent care, travel	Healthy individuals, cost-minimizers, extra benefits

Our Recommendation

If you have ongoing health conditions, see specialists regularly, or travel frequently, Medigap + Part D typically provides better financial protection despite higher premiums. If you are healthy, cost-sensitive, and comfortable with a provider network, Medicare Advantage may offer better overall value. You cannot have both simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N?

Plan G covers everything Plan N covers, plus Medicare Part B excess charges. Plan N requires copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits. Plan G typically costs $10–$30/month more. If you rarely see doctors, Plan N may cost less overall. If you see specialists frequently or live in a state that allows excess charges, Plan G provides more complete protection.

When is the best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6-month window starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more based on health. Outside this window, medical underwriting applies and you could be denied coverage.

How much does Medicare Supplement insurance cost per month?

For a 65-year-old non-smoker, Plan G typically costs $90–$200/month and Plan N $70–$160/month. Premiums vary significantly by state, carrier, age, and tobacco use. Compare multiple insurers in your zip code for your specific situation.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan F still available?

Plan F is available only to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 on or after that date, you cannot purchase Plan F. Plan G is the most comparable alternative for new enrollees.

Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans?

You can apply to switch at any time, but outside Open Enrollment, you will likely need to pass medical underwriting. If you are healthy and want lower premiums, switching from Plan G to Plan N is typically the most successful switch. Some states offer additional guaranteed issue protections.

Does Medicare Supplement cover prescription drugs?

No. Medigap does not cover prescription drugs. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage. Plans sold after 2006 cannot include drug coverage.

What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?

Medigap works alongside Original Medicare to pay costs Medicare doesn't cover. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan. Medigap offers more predictable costs and provider flexibility; Medicare Advantage typically has lower premiums but network restrictions and higher potential out-of-pocket costs. You cannot have both simultaneously.