The Price Range for Medigap Plans

Supplemental Medicare insurance, also called Medigap, costs between $100 and $300 per month for most people, but the actual amount depends on which plan you choose, where you live, your age, and your health history. There is no single "average" — a Plan G in Florida costs less than the same plan in New York, and a 65-year-old pays less than a 75-year-old buying the same coverage.

The 10 standardized Medigap plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and two high-deductible versions of G and F) each cover different combinations of costs. Plan A is the cheapest but covers the least. Plan G and Plan N are the most common choices for new enrollees and typically cost $120 to $250 monthly. High-deductible Plan G can run $40 to $80 monthly but requires you to pay $2,700 out of pocket before the plan starts covering costs.

Your location matters more than you might expect. The same Plan G might cost $140 per month in rural Kansas and $280 in Manhattan. Insurers set rates by ZIP code, and urban areas with higher medical costs generally have higher premiums. Age is also a major factor — insurers can charge older enrollees more, and the difference between age 65 and age 75 can be $50 to $100 per month for the same plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Medigap premiums range from roughly $100 to $300 monthly depending on the plan, your age, location, and the insurance company you choose.
  • Plan G and Plan N are the most commonly chosen plans for people new to Medicare and typically fall in the $120 to $250 range per month.
  • Your ZIP code affects your rate significantly — the same plan costs different amounts in different states and even different counties.
  • You pay the Medigap premium directly to the insurance company, separate from your Medicare Part B premium, and you can change plans once per year during the open enrollment period.
  • Enrolling within six months of turning 65 or starting Medicare Part B protects you from higher rates and medical underwriting, a benefit called may provide issue.

How Age and Enrollment Timing Affect What You Pay

Insurance companies use three different rating methods, and the one that applies to you depends on when you enroll. If you sign up for Medigap within six months of turning 65 or starting Medicare Part B, you have may provide issue rights — the insurer cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on your health. This is the cheapest window to buy.

If you wait past that six-month window, the insurer can use medical underwriting, meaning they review your health history and can charge you more or deny coverage altogether. Some people are denied Medigap coverage entirely because of pre-existing conditions, though this is less common than it was before the Affordable Care Act. Waiting also means you will pay age-rated premiums for the rest of your life — if you buy at 72 instead of 65, your base rate is higher and stays higher.

Insurers also raise rates annually for inflation and claims experience. A plan that costs $150 at age 65 might cost $180 at age 70, even if you stay with the same company and the same plan. Some companies use "issue age" rating (your rate is locked based on your age when you enroll), while others use "attained age" rating (your rate increases each year as you age). Issue age is generally cheaper long-term.

What Different Plans Cover and Why Costs Vary

The 10 Medigap plans are standardized by Medicare, meaning Plan G from Company A covers exactly the same things as Plan G from Company B. The difference is price. What changes between plans is what portion of Medicare's cost-sharing you cover.

Plan A is the entry-level option and costs the least — often $100 to $150 monthly — but it does not cover the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024) or excess charges. Plan G covers almost everything except the Part B deductible and typically costs $140 to $220 monthly. Plan N is similar but requires you to pay a small copay at the doctor's office and covers less, which is why it sometimes costs $20 to $40 less per month than Plan G. High-deductible Plan G has a $2,700 annual deductible but costs as little as $40 to $80 monthly — it makes sense only if you are healthy and do not expect to use much medical care.

Plans D, K, and L are less common because they cover less than Plan G but cost nearly as much. Plans B and F are no longer sold to new enrollees as of 2020, though people who had them before that date can keep them. If you see Plan F or B quoted, the company is either quoting you a renewal rate (you already have it) or making an error.

Regional Cost Differences and How to Compare

A person in Arizona might pay $130 for Plan G while someone in Massachusetts pays $240 for the identical coverage. These differences reflect state insurance regulations, local medical costs, and competition among insurers. States with more Medigap insurers competing tend to have lower rates. Rural areas sometimes have fewer options and higher costs because fewer companies operate there.

To find actual prices in your area, you need to contact insurers directly or use the Medicare Plan Finder tool on Medicare.gov, which shows plans available to you and their costs. The tool requires your ZIP code and birth date. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a Medigap comparison for your location. Do not rely on national averages — your local price is what matters.

When comparing quotes, make sure you are looking at the same plan letter in each quote. Plan G from Aetna and Plan G from United are identical in coverage but may differ by $50 or more per month. Also check whether the quote is a first-year rate or a renewal rate — some companies offer discounts the first year and raise rates significantly in year two.

What You Pay Beyond the Medigap Premium

Your Medigap premium is only part of your total Medicare costs. You still pay your Medicare Part B premium (currently $164.90 per month for most people in 2024, though higher earners pay more). You also pay any deductibles and copays that your specific Medigap plan does not cover.

For example, if you have Plan G, you pay the Medigap premium plus the Part B deductible ($240 once per year) plus your Part B premium. You do not pay copays at the doctor because Plan G covers them. If you have Plan N, you pay the Medigap premium, the Part B premium, and small copays ($20 for most doctor visits, $50 for emergency room visits) because Plan N does not cover those.

Medigap does not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. If you need those services, you either pay out of pocket or enroll in a separate dental plan, vision plan, or Part D prescription drug plan. Some people choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare plus Medigap because Advantage plans sometimes include dental and vision, though they have different cost structures and network restrictions.

When to Enroll and How to Lock in the Best Rate

The best time to enroll in Medigap is within six months of turning 65 or starting Medicare Part B, because that is when you have may provide issue rights and cannot be denied or charged more for health reasons. If you miss that window, you can still enroll, but the insurer can review your health and charge you more or refuse to cover you.

Once you are enrolled, you can switch to a different Medigap plan once per calendar year during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7). If you switch plans, you move to the new company's rates, which may be higher or lower depending on their pricing and your age at that time. Some people switch every few years to chase lower rates, but this only works if you are still in the may provide issue window or if the new company does not require medical underwriting.

If you are currently in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to Original Medicare plus Medigap, you have a one-time open enrollment window. If you miss it, you may not be able to buy Medigap at all, or you may face medical underwriting and higher rates. Check your plan documents or call Medicare to confirm your window before you switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get Medigap if I have a pre-existing condition?

If you enroll within six months of turning 65 or starting Medicare Part B, yes — may provide issue rights protect you from denial and higher rates based on health. If you enroll after that window, the insurer can review your health and may deny you or charge more. Some insurers are more lenient than others, so it is worth contacting multiple companies if you are denied by one.

What happens to my Medigap rate when I turn 75?

Your rate increases based on your age and the rating method your insurer uses. With attained age rating, your premium goes up each year as you age. With issue age rating, your base rate stays the same but the company still raises rates annually for inflation and claims experience. The increase is typically $20 to $50 per month when you turn 75, depending on your plan and company.

Is Medigap cheaper than Medicare Advantage?

Not always. Medigap premiums are usually $100 to $300 monthly, but you also pay Part B premiums and any uncovered costs. Medicare Advantage premiums are often $0 to $50 monthly, but you pay copays and coinsurance at every doctor visit and are restricted to in-network providers. The total cost depends on how much medical care you use and which plan you choose.

Can I switch Medigap plans if my rate goes up?

Yes, during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) you can switch to a different plan or a different company. However, if you switch to a new company outside the may provide issue window, they can require medical underwriting. Switching to a different plan with your current company usually does not require medical underwriting.

Do I need Medigap if I have retiree health insurance from my former employer?

Not necessarily. If your retiree plan covers the same costs that Medigap would, you do not need both. However, if your retiree plan ends or becomes less generous, you may lose may provide issue rights if you try to buy Medigap later. Check your retiree plan documents and contact the plan administrator before you decline Medigap enrollment.