Medicare Supplement costs vary by plan, location, age, and insurance company — there is no single price
A Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plan costs somewhere between $100 and $400 per month for most people, but that range is wide because the price depends on which plan you choose, where you live, your age when you first buy it, and which insurance company sells it to you. The same Plan G might cost $150 a month in one state and $280 in another. The same plan might cost $180 at age 65 and $320 at age 75 with the same company. There is no way to know your actual cost without getting quotes from real insurers in your zip code.
What you are paying for is the gap between what Medicare covers and what you pay out of pocket. Medicare Part A and Part B leave you responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. A Supplement plan covers some or all of those costs — which costs it covers depends on which lettered plan (A through N) you choose. The more comprehensive the plan, the higher the monthly premium.
Key Takeaways
- Monthly premiums for Medicare Supplements range from roughly $100 to $400 depending on the plan letter, your age, your location, and the insurance company.
- The same plan costs different amounts in different states and with different insurers, so you need quotes from at least three companies to compare.
- Your age when you first buy a Supplement matters: buying at 65 locks in a lower rate than buying at 72, even with the same company.
- Plan G and Plan N are the most common choices because they cover most out-of-pocket costs while keeping premiums lower than the most comprehensive plans.
- You pay the Supplement premium directly to the insurance company, separate from your Medicare Part B premium.
How insurance companies set Supplement prices
Insurance companies use three main methods to price Medicare Supplements: age-based pricing, community rating, and issue-age pricing. Most companies in most states use age-based pricing, which means your premium goes up every year as you get older. A 65-year-old and an 85-year-old on the same plan with the same company will pay different amounts — the 85-year-old pays more.
A smaller number of companies use community rating, which means everyone in your state or county on the same plan pays the same premium regardless of age. This sounds fairer but often results in higher premiums for younger retirees and lower premiums for older ones. A few states (Connecticut, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, and Ohio) limit or ban age-based pricing, so prices work differently there.
Issue-age pricing means your rate is locked to your age when you first buy the plan. A 65-year-old who buys Plan G will pay a different starting price than a 70-year-old buying the same plan, and that difference stays built into the rate even as both age. This is why buying a Supplement early matters: your starting rate is lower, and even though it will increase with age, you never catch up to someone who bought later.
What different Supplement plans cost
Plan A is the cheapest because it covers the least. You might find it for $100 to $150 per month. Plan G is more expensive — typically $180 to $280 per month — but covers more of your out-of-pocket costs, so your total healthcare spending may actually be lower. Plan N is similar to G in coverage but slightly cheaper because it leaves you responsible for some copays at the doctor's office.
The most comprehensive plans (Plan C and Plan F, though Plan F is no longer sold to people new to Medicare) cost $250 to $400 or more per month because they cover nearly everything Medicare does not. For most people, the extra premium does not make financial sense unless you have very high healthcare use or strong reasons to avoid any copays.
The table below shows roughly what you might expect to pay for the most common plans, though these are national averages and your actual quotes will differ:
| Plan | Typical Monthly Range | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Plan A | $100–$150 | Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, some hospital costs |
| Plan G | $180–$280 | Part B deductible, coinsurance, foreign travel, most out-of-pocket costs |
| Plan N | $160–$260 | Most of Plan G coverage except some doctor copays and ER copay |
| Plan D | $120–$200 | Part A deductible, coinsurance, some hospice costs |
How location affects what you pay
Your state and zip code matter more than you might expect. Plan G costs $160 per month in some rural areas and $320 in some cities. This is partly because healthcare costs are higher in some regions, partly because different insurance companies operate in different areas, and partly because state regulations vary. A state that allows age-based pricing may have lower premiums for younger retirees than a state using community rating.
You cannot shop across state lines — you must buy from a company licensed in your state. If you move to a different state after buying a Supplement, you may be able to switch plans or companies, but the rules depend on your new state's regulations and how long you have held your current plan. This is one reason to research Supplement costs before you move in retirement.
When your age locks in your rate
The year you turn 65 and first buy a Medicare Supplement is the most important year for pricing. If you buy at 65 using issue-age pricing, your starting premium is lower than if you wait and buy at 68. Even though your premium will increase each year, you will always pay less than someone who started at 68, because the gap between your starting rate and theirs never closes.
This is why financial advisors often recommend buying a Supplement at 65 if you can afford it, even if you are healthy and do not expect to use much healthcare. The premium you lock in at 65 is cheaper than the premium you will face at 75, and you cannot go back and buy at 65 once you have turned 75.
There is one exception: if you delay Medicare Part B past 65 (because you are still working and covered by an employer plan), you may have a limited window to buy a Supplement without medical underwriting when you finally do enroll in Part B. The rules are complex, so check with your employer's benefits office or Medicare directly if this applies to you.
What you pay on top of your Supplement premium
Your monthly Supplement premium is separate from your Medicare Part B premium, which you pay to Medicare. If you are on Original Medicare plus a Supplement, you pay both. You also pay Part D premiums if you want prescription drug coverage — Supplements do not cover drugs. And you still pay any costs your Supplement does not cover, such as dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care.
Some people choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare plus a Supplement. Advantage plans have lower or zero premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs and network restrictions. The choice between Supplement and Advantage depends on your health, your doctors, and how much you expect to spend on healthcare — not just on the monthly premium.
How to get actual price quotes
To find out what a Supplement will cost you, contact insurance companies directly or use Medicare's official Supplement comparison tool at Medicare.gov. You will need to enter your zip code, birth date, and which plans you want to compare. Get quotes from at least three companies — the same plan can vary by $100 per month between insurers.
When you get a quote, ask whether the price is may provide for a year and what the company's history is for raising rates. Some companies raise rates more aggressively than others. You can also ask whether the company offers discounts for paying annually instead of monthly, or for setting up automatic payments.
If you are currently on a Supplement and your premium has increased significantly, you have the right to switch to a different plan or company during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). You do not need to wait for a specific birthday or life event — you can switch once per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch Supplement plans if my premium gets too high?
Yes, during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) you can switch to a different plan or company without medical underwriting. If you switch to a less comprehensive plan, the new company cannot deny you or charge more based on your health. If you switch to a more comprehensive plan, the company can require medical underwriting.
Does my Supplement premium ever stop increasing?
No. With age-based pricing, your premium increases every year as you age. With community rating, premiums increase for everyone in your area, but not based on your individual age. Either way, expect your premium to be higher at 80 than it was at 65.
What happens to my Supplement if I move to a different state?
Your current Supplement may not be available in your new state. You will likely need to switch to a plan offered there. Some states allow you to switch without medical underwriting if you move; others do not. Contact your current insurance company and your new state's insurance commissioner's office before you move to understand your options.
Is a Supplement cheaper than a Medicare Advantage plan?
Not always. Supplements have higher monthly premiums but lower out-of-pocket costs when you use healthcare. Advantage plans have lower premiums but higher copays and deductibles. The answer depends on how much healthcare you use and which doctors you see. Compare the total cost, not just the premium.
Can I buy a Supplement if I am already on Medicare Advantage?
Yes, but you will need to switch back to Original Medicare first, and you may face medical underwriting depending on how long you have been on Advantage. The best time to buy a Supplement is at 65 when you first enroll in Medicare. If you missed that window, talk to an insurance agent about your options.