Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medicare Supplement plans — also called Medigap — help pay for some or all of the costs Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

Medigap policies give you the flexibility to see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. There are no networks and no referrals. Your coverage depends on the plan letter you choose (Plans A through N).

If you do not purchase a Medigap policy, you will likely have to pay out-of-pocket for all of the costs Original Medicare doesn't cover.

The most popular plans

Plan F

Plan F covers all Medicare deductibles and copays for Medicare-allowable charges. With Plan F you pay:

• Your Part B premium
• Your Plan F premium
• A Part D prescription drug plan premium, plus Part D copays and deductibles

Plan F is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Plan G

Plan G works just like Plan F, except you pay the annual Part B deductible once per year. Quite often we can find Medicare Supplement Plan G premiums that save you more than the cost of that deductible — making Plan G the best value for many new enrollees.

Plan N

Plan N is a lower-premium alternative. You pay the annual Part B deductible plus small copays — up to $20 for some doctor office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.

What is not covered by Medicare Supplement plans?

• Routine dental, vision and hearing exams
• Hearing aids and eyeglasses
• Long-term care
• Retail prescription drugs (add a Part D plan for these)

Choosing a Medicare Supplement

Because Medigap benefits are standardized — a Plan G from one company covers the same things as a Plan G from another — the real differences are:

1. Premium rates today
2. Rate trend history — how much a carrier has raised rates over time
3. Financial strength ratings from agencies such as A.M. Best and Weiss

We compare all three across multiple carriers so you get the right plan at the best long-term price.

Sign up for Medicare

New to Medicare? Start with our Medicare 101 guide and enrollment period dates. We'll walk you through enrolling in Parts A and B, choosing a supplement and adding a Part D plan so your coverage starts on time.