There is no single "best" plan — the right one depends on what you use healthcare for

Medicare supplemental insurance, also called Medigap, covers costs that Original Medicare leaves you responsible for: copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Which plan works best for you depends on how often you see doctors, whether you travel, and how much you want to pay in premiums each month. A plan that is affordable for someone who rarely needs care may leave another person with large out-of-pocket bills.

There are ten standardized Medigap plans, labeled A through N. Each plan covers the same benefits no matter which insurance company sells it — the difference is price. Your job is to find which of the ten plans matches your healthcare pattern, then shop for the lowest price among companies that sell it in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • The ten Medigap plans (A through N) are standardized, so Plan G from one company covers exactly what Plan G covers from another — only the price differs.
  • Plans with higher premiums typically cover more costs, while plans with lower premiums leave you paying more when you need care.
  • Plan G and Plan N are the most common choices for people newly may be able to access for Medicare, but the right plan depends on your doctor visits and hospital use.
  • You can switch plans during your open enrollment period each year, but switching after that may require you to answer health questions.
  • The same plan costs different amounts depending on your age, location, and the insurance company — comparing quotes is essential.

What each of the ten plans covers

All Medigap plans cover the Part A deductible (the amount you pay before Medicare hospital coverage kicks in). Most cover the Part B deductible (for doctor visits) and coinsurance. The differences lie in whether they cover excess charges, foreign travel, and skilled nursing facility costs.

Plan A is the most basic and cheapest option. It covers Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and the first three pints of blood. It does not cover the Part B deductible or excess charges.

Plan G is the most popular choice for people under 65 or newly turning 65. It covers everything except the Part B deductible (which is $240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly). If you see many doctors or specialists, Plan G usually costs less overall than plans with lower premiums because you avoid copayments.

Plan N is less expensive than Plan G but requires you to pay a copayment when you see a doctor (usually $20) and a copayment for emergency room visits (usually $50, waived if admitted). It does not cover excess charges. Plan N works well if you are healthy and do not expect frequent doctor visits.

Plans D, F, and J are no longer sold to people new to Medicare as of 2020, though people who had them before that date can keep them. Plan F was once the most comprehensive option.

Plans B, C, H, I, K, and L exist but are rarely chosen because they cover less than Plan G or Plan N while costing nearly as much.

How to decide between the most common plans

Start by thinking about your healthcare use over the past year. How many times did you see a doctor? Did you have surgery or a hospital stay? Do you take multiple medications? Do you see specialists?

If you saw a doctor more than four or five times, or if you see specialists regularly, Plan G usually costs less overall despite its higher premium. You avoid copayments at every visit, which adds up quickly. If you had a hospital stay or surgery, Plan G covers the coinsurance, which can be thousands of dollars.

If you are generally healthy, see your primary doctor once or twice a year, and do not take many medications, Plan N may save you money. Your premium is lower, and the copayments ($20 per doctor visit) are manageable if you do not need frequent care. The risk is that if your health changes and you suddenly need more doctor visits, you will pay more per visit than Plan G would have cost.

Plan A is rarely the right choice for someone with moderate or high healthcare use, but it can work for people who are very healthy and want the lowest possible premium. The tradeoff is that you pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024) out of pocket before your plan covers anything.

What affects the price you pay

The same Medigap plan costs different amounts depending on where you live, your age, and which insurance company sells it. A Plan G premium might be $120 a month in one state and $180 in another. The same plan from two different companies in your area might differ by $40 or $50 a month.

Insurance companies use three pricing methods: attained age (your premium rises as you get older), issue age (your premium is based on your age when you first buy the plan and does not rise as you age), and community rated (everyone in your area pays the same price regardless of age). Issue-age pricing is usually cheapest when you first buy, but attained-age pricing may cost less over time if you stay healthy. Ask each company which method they use.

Because prices vary so much, getting quotes from at least three companies is worth the time. Many state health insurance counseling programs (called SHIP programs) will help you compare plans and prices for free. You can also use Medicare.gov's plan finder tool or contact companies directly.

When you can switch plans and what happens if you cannot

You have the strongest protection to switch plans during your Medigap open enrollment period, which lasts six months starting the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on your health history.

If you miss this window, you can still switch plans, but the insurance company can ask health questions and may deny you coverage or charge more if you have a pre-existing condition. Some states have additional protections that allow switching at other times, so check with your state insurance commissioner's office.

You can switch plans once a year during the annual open enrollment period (October 15 to December 7), but outside that window, switching is harder. This is why choosing carefully the first time matters — you may be locked into a plan if your health changes and you want to move to a better one.

Questions to ask your doctor or insurance counselor

Before you choose a plan, talk to your primary care doctor about your expected healthcare needs. Ask whether you will need specialist visits, imaging, or procedures in the coming year. This helps you estimate how many copayments you might pay under Plan N versus how much you would save with Plan G.

Ask your insurance counselor or the insurance company directly: What is the Part B deductible this year, and does this plan cover it? What copayments or coinsurance will I pay? Are there any limits on how many times I can see a specialist? Does this plan cover care outside my state if I travel?

If you are considering Plan N, ask specifically about the copayment amounts and whether they explore to telehealth visits or only in-person visits. Some plans charge copayments for telehealth; others do not.

When to seek help choosing a plan

If you are turning 65 or newly may be able to access for Medicare, contact your State Health Insurance information Program (SHIP) at least two months before your coverage starts. SHIP counselors are free, trained, and have no financial stake in which plan you choose. You can find your state's SHIP by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting shiptalk.org.

If you already have a Medigap plan and want to know whether switching would save you money, SHIP can help with that too. Bring your current plan documents and a list of the doctors you see and medications you take.

If your health has changed significantly — you now have a chronic condition, you need more specialist care, or you have had surgery — it may be worth paying to talk to a licensed insurance agent who specializes in Medicare. They can model out what different plans would cost you based on your actual healthcare use. Some charge a fee; others are paid by insurance companies. Ask upfront how they are paid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have both a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan?

No. You choose either Original Medicare with a Medigap plan, or Medicare Advantage. If you have a Medigap plan and switch to Medicare Advantage, you must drop the Medigap plan. If you later switch back to Original Medicare, you may not be able to get the same Medigap plan back, depending on your state's rules.

Why do some people recommend Plan G over Plan N?

Plan G covers more costs, so if you need frequent doctor visits or specialist care, you pay less overall despite the higher premium. Plan N requires copayments per visit, which adds up if you see doctors often. The choice depends on your actual healthcare use, not on what others recommend.

What happens to my Medigap plan if I move to a different state?

Your plan continues to work, but the premium may change because rates vary by state. Some insurance companies operate in multiple states; others do not. Contact your insurance company to ask whether your plan is available in your new state and what your new premium will be.

Is there a penalty for waiting to buy a Medigap plan?

If you miss your six-month open enrollment period starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, you may face higher premiums or denial of coverage when you explore later, depending on your state. Some states have protections; others do not. The longer you wait, the higher the risk.

Do Medigap plans cover prescription drugs?

No. You need a separate Part D prescription drug plan. You can have both a Medigap plan and a Part D plan at the same time. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies and have their own enrollment periods and rules.