Medicare supplement plans in 2026: which Medigap plan is right for you

Quick answer: Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans fill the cost-sharing gaps in original Medicare Parts A and B. Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to new enrollees (covering everything except the Part B deductible). Plan N costs less than Plan G but has copays for office visits and ER visits. Both are far better than no supplement for people who use significant healthcare. Original Medicare without a supplement has no out-of-pocket maximum, meaning catastrophic illness can cost $50,000+.

Medicare alone doesn't cap what you pay. A Medigap plan adds a predictable premium in exchange for covering the deductibles, coinsurance, and excess charges that Medicare leaves behind. The question is which plan provides the right balance of coverage and cost for your health usage.

What original Medicare leaves uncovered

Part A (hospital) gaps:

• Deductible: $1,676 per benefit period (not per year -- per illness episode)
• Coinsurance: Days 61-90: $419/day; Days 91+: $838/day (lifetime reserve days)
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance: $209.50/day for days 21-100

Part B (outpatient) gaps:

• Annual deductible: $257
• Coinsurance: 20% of all approved costs after the deductible -- with no cap
• Excess charges: Some providers charge up to 15% above Medicare's approved amount ("Medicare excess charges")

A 90-day hospital stay with no Medigap coverage could cost $30,000+ in coinsurance alone. For people managing multiple conditions, the 20% Part B coinsurance adds up rapidly with specialist visits, lab work, and procedures.

The Medigap plan comparison (2026)

Medigap plans are standardized by letter -- Plan G from one company is identical in coverage to Plan G from another. What varies is the premium, the company's financial strength, and customer service quality.

Plans available to new enrollees (Plan C and F are no longer sold to new Medicare beneficiaries as of 2020):

| Plan | Part A deductible | Part A coinsurance | Part B deductible | Part B coinsurance | Part B excess | Skilled nursing | Foreign travel | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Plan G | Covered | Covered | Not covered | Covered | Covered | Covered | 80% | | Plan N | Covered | Covered | Not covered | Covered (with copays) | Not covered | Covered | 80% | | Plan K | 50% | 50% | Not covered | 50% | Not covered | 50% | Not covered | | Plan L | 75% | 75% | Not covered | 75% | Not covered | 75% | Not covered | | Plan A | Not covered | Covered | Not covered | Covered | Not covered | Not covered | Not covered |

Plan G covers everything except the Part B annual deductible ($257). After paying that deductible, you have no further out-of-pocket costs under original Medicare (assuming your providers accept Medicare assignment and don't charge excess fees).

Plan N is Plan G with two differences: you pay up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan N premiums are typically $30-$60/month less than Plan G.

Plan G vs. Plan N: the math

The right choice depends on how often you use Part B services:

Assume Plan G costs $150/month and Plan N costs $115/month -- a $35/month or $420/year difference.

If you have 15 office visits per year: 15 × $20 copay = $300 in Plan N copays. $300 < $420, so Plan N wins on cost that year.

If you have 30 office visits per year: 30 × $20 = $600. $600 > $420, so Plan G wins.

Add ER visits, check whether your providers accept assignment (if not, Plan G's excess charge coverage has real value), and you have your comparison.

For people with frequent specialist visits, chronic conditions requiring ongoing monitoring, or providers who charge excess fees: Plan G is often worth the premium difference. For healthier retirees with few healthcare interactions: Plan N often wins.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

The alternative to original Medicare + Medigap is Medicare Advantage (Part C), where a private insurer provides all Medicare benefits plus extras.

| Factor | Original Medicare + Medigap | Medicare Advantage | |---|---|---| | Network flexibility | Any Medicare provider nationwide | Network required (HMO or PPO) | | Predictability | High (fixed premium, low cost-sharing) | Lower (deductibles, copays per service) | | Out-of-pocket maximum | No limit in original Medicare; near-zero with Medigap | $8,850 maximum in-network (2026) | | Premium | Medigap: $100-$300+/month + Part B | Often $0-$50/month + Part B | | Extra benefits | None | Often dental, vision, OTC, gym | | Travel coverage | Nationwide + 80% foreign | Limited to network area (emergency only out-of-network) |

Medicare Advantage often looks cheaper on premium but can be more expensive at the point of care (copays, prior authorization delays, network restrictions). For people who travel, have complex conditions requiring specialist access, or live part-time in different states, Medigap with original Medicare is often preferable.

When to enroll

The best time to enroll in Medigap is during your 6-month Medigap open enrollment period, which begins the month you're both 65 and enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers must sell you any plan at the same rate regardless of pre-existing conditions.

After this window, most states allow underwriting. Insurers can charge higher premiums or deny coverage based on health status. A handful of states (California, New York, and others) have ongoing guaranteed issue periods.

If you switch from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare after age 65, you have limited Medigap rights in most states. Confirm your state's rules before disenrolling from an Advantage plan.

For reading and understanding your current Medicare coverage documents, see how to read an insurance policy and insurance declarations page explained.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage?

No. Medigap works with original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you're enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you cannot use a Medigap plan for the same coverage period. Medigap premiums paid while on Medicare Advantage would be wasted.

How much does Plan G cost in 2026?

Premiums vary by age, gender, location, and tobacco use. Typical range for a 65-year-old non-smoker: $100-$200/month. Premiums increase with age. Get quotes from multiple insurers -- the coverage is identical across plans, so the only differentiators are price and customer service.

Does Medigap cover dental, vision, and hearing?

Standard Medigap plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing. These require separate supplemental policies or Medicare Advantage plans that include these benefits.

What is the Part A deductible per benefit period?

For 2026, the Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period. A benefit period begins when you're admitted to a hospital or skilled nursing facility and ends when you've been out of inpatient care for 60 consecutive days. In theory, you could owe multiple Part A deductibles in a single year if you have multiple hospital stays separated by 60-day gaps.

Can I be dropped from my Medigap plan?

Medigap insurers cannot drop you or change your benefits as long as you pay the premium on time (it's guaranteed renewable). They can raise your premium (subject to state regulation) but cannot non-renew your policy based on your health claims.

Use ReadMyPolicy to review your current Medicare supplement policy and compare coverage to Plan G or Plan N to identify any gaps.