Medigap — Filling the Gaps in Original Medicare
Original Medicare pays a significant portion of your healthcare costs — but not all of it. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans pay some or all of the remaining costs, providing financial predictability and freedom to see any provider that accepts Medicare.
What Medigap Covers
Original Medicare covers about 80 percent of approved medical costs but leaves beneficiaries responsible for deductibles, copays, and 20 percent coinsurance with no out-of-pocket maximum. Medigap fills those gaps.
Part A Hospital Costs
Original Medicare Part A has a deductible per benefit period and daily coinsurance for extended hospital stays. Medigap plans cover these costs, protecting you from large hospital bills.
Part B Coinsurance
Original Medicare pays 80 percent of approved outpatient costs; you pay the remaining 20 percent with no cap. For someone with significant medical needs, that 20 percent can be substantial. Most Medigap plans cover it entirely.
Standardized Plan Letters
Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government and sold as Plan A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N. Plan G is currently the most comprehensive plan available to new Medicare enrollees. The letter determines benefits; the carrier determines price.
Any Provider That Accepts Medicare
Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap allows you to see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare — anywhere in the country. No network restrictions, no referrals required.
Guaranteed Renewable
As long as you pay your premium, your Medigap plan cannot be canceled and your benefits cannot be reduced. Premiums may increase with age, but coverage is guaranteed renewable for life.
Foreign Travel Emergency
Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N include foreign travel emergency coverage, paying 80 percent of medically necessary emergency care during the first 60 days of a trip outside the US after a small deductible.
Medigap expertise across plan letters and carriers
We write Medigap across multiple carriers and help beneficiaries understand plan letter differences, compare carrier pricing, and choose the right plan for their health needs and budget.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
- Medigap: see any Medicare provider nationwide
- Medigap: no network restrictions or referrals
- Medigap: predictable costs, often higher monthly premium
- Medicare Advantage: network-based, often lower premium
- Medicare Advantage: extra benefits (dental, vision)
- Medicare Advantage: prior authorization requirements
- Choose based on your health needs and priorities
Medigap Plan Letters Explained
Medigap benefits are standardized. Every Plan G from every carrier covers exactly the same benefits. The difference between carriers is price, financial strength, and customer service.
Plan G
The most comprehensive Medigap plan currently available to new Medicare enrollees. Covers Part A deductible, Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance (100%), skilled nursing coinsurance, and foreign travel emergency. Only gap is the Part B deductible.
- Part A deductible covered
- Part B coinsurance 100% covered
- Skilled nursing coinsurance covered
- Foreign travel emergency included
Plan N
Similar to Plan G but with copays for some office and ER visits. Typically lower premium than Plan G. Covers Part B coinsurance except for a copay of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in admission.
- Part A deductible covered
- Part B coinsurance covered (with copays)
- Office visit copay up to $20
- Lower premium than Plan G
Plan G High Deductible
A Plan G with a high deductible before full coverage kicks in. Significantly lower monthly premium than standard Plan G, with the tradeoff of higher out-of-pocket costs in a high-utilization year. Good for healthy beneficiaries who want catastrophic protection.
- Same benefits as Plan G after deductible
- Much lower monthly premium
- Higher annual deductible
- Good for healthy, low-utilization beneficiaries
Plan F (Pre-2020 Only)
Plan F was the most comprehensive Medigap plan, covering the Part B deductible in addition to everything Plan G covers. No longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, but still available to those enrolled before that date.
- Covers Part B deductible
- Most comprehensive coverage available
- Only available to pre-2020 enrollees
- Compare carefully vs. Plan G cost
Plan K and Plan L
Cost-sharing plans that cover a percentage of costs rather than 100 percent. Plan K covers 50 percent of most costs; Plan L covers 75 percent. Both have annual out-of-pocket limits. Lower premiums with more cost-sharing.
- Percentage-based cost sharing
- Annual out-of-pocket limit
- Lower monthly premium
- Good for budget-conscious beneficiaries
Carrier Selection
Because Medigap benefits are standardized by letter, the most important variable after choosing a plan letter is carrier pricing and financial strength. We compare rates across multiple carriers for the same plan letter to find the best value.
- Same benefits from every carrier
- Pricing varies significantly by carrier
- Financial strength and longevity matter
- Rate increase history is relevant
When to Enroll in Medigap
The timing of your Medigap enrollment has significant implications for what plans are available to you and at what price.
Open Enrollment Period
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6-month period that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, you can buy any Medigap plan regardless of health history, at the best available rate. This is the most important window.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Outside of Open Enrollment, insurance companies can use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health history. Certain situations trigger guaranteed issue rights that provide temporary access without underwriting.
Medical Underwriting
If you apply for Medigap outside of an open enrollment or guaranteed issue period, carriers can ask about your health history and may deny coverage or charge higher premiums. Some states have additional protections.
Switching Plans Later
Switching Medigap plans after your open enrollment period typically requires medical underwriting. If you develop health conditions, you may not be able to switch to a different plan or carrier. Choosing the right plan at the start matters.
Guaranteed issue situations
These circumstances allow you to enroll in certain Medigap plans without medical underwriting, regardless of when you apply.
- Turning 65 and enrolling in Part B (Open Enrollment Period)
- Losing employer or union coverage
- Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area
- Moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area
- Medicare Advantage plan violating your rights
- Certain other qualifying situations
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions we hear most often about Medigap plan letters, carrier differences, and enrollment timing.
Plan G covers Part B coinsurance at 100 percent with no copays. Plan N covers Part B coinsurance with a copay of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in inpatient admission. Plan N typically has a lower monthly premium. If you visit doctors infrequently, Plan N may cost less overall. If you see doctors frequently, Plan G's no-copay structure may save more.
Yes. Medigap works with Original Medicare, which means you can see any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States. There are no network restrictions and no referrals required. This is one of the primary advantages of Medigap over Medicare Advantage.
No. Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You need a separate Part D prescription drug plan to have drug coverage. This is an important distinction because Medicare Advantage plans typically include Part D, while Medigap requires a separate Part D enrollment.
Medigap benefits are standardized by the federal government, so a Plan G from any carrier covers the same benefits. Carriers differ in how they price those benefits. Some use community rating (same premium for everyone), some use issue-age rating (based on age when enrolled), and some use attained-age rating (increases as you age). We compare pricing and rate increase history across carriers.
You can apply to switch Medigap plans, but outside of your open enrollment period, the new carrier can use medical underwriting. If you have developed health conditions since your original enrollment, you may not qualify for coverage or may be charged higher rates. This is why enrolling in the right plan at the start matters so much.
Fill the gaps in Original Medicare with the right Medigap plan.
We compare Medigap plan letters and carrier pricing to find the right coverage at the right price — independent guidance at no cost to you.