What Are the Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medicare Supplement, often known as Medigap, plans are designed to help individuals with Original Medicare manage their healthcare costs. These private insurance policies work in conjunction with Medicare Parts A and B, addressing some of the financial gaps left by Original Medicare. They aim to provide more predictable out-of-pocket expenses for services covered by Medicare.

Understanding Medigap Basics

Medigap policies are sold by private companies to supplement Original Medicare (Parts A and B). When you have both, Medicare pays its approved share first, then your Medigap policy pays its share for covered services. This helps cover expenses like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Original Medicare does not fully pay.

Medigap plans are standardized, with ten plans labeled A through N. Each lettered plan offers the same basic benefits, regardless of the insurance company. For example, a Plan G policy from one insurer provides the same coverage as a Plan G policy from another, though premiums differ. This standardization applies across most of the United States, except for Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which have their own systems. Medigap policies are separate from Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C); you cannot have both simultaneously.

Key Considerations for Choosing a Medigap Plan

Selecting a Medigap plan requires evaluating your healthcare needs and financial situation. Consider your health status and anticipated medical expenses; comprehensive plans may benefit those expecting frequent medical care.

Budget is also a significant factor, as premiums vary by plan, insurer, and location. Higher coverage plans typically have higher premiums, so balance desired coverage with affordability for financial predictability.

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a crucial time for securing a policy. This one-time, six-month window begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurance companies cannot use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums due to pre-existing health conditions, guaranteeing your right to purchase any available Medigap policy. Missing this period can lead to fewer options, higher costs, or denial of coverage based on health.

Federal law has impacted plan availability for new enrollees. As of January 1, 2020, Medigap Plans F and C are no longer available to individuals newly eligible for Medicare, as they cannot cover the Medicare Part B deductible for new beneficiaries. However, if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you can still purchase or keep Plans F or C if offered in your state.

Detailed Overview of Popular Medigap Plans

Among the standardized options, Plans F, G, and N are often considered the most popular due to their extensive coverage for many out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. While Plan F offers the most complete coverage, its availability is restricted to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G has largely become the most comprehensive option for those newly eligible, and Plan N provides a balance of coverage and lower premiums.

Medicare Supplement Plan F

Plan F offers the most comprehensive coverage, leaving beneficiaries with virtually no out-of-pocket expenses for Medicare-approved services. It covers 100% of the Medicare Part A deductible, Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted, and Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment. Plan F also covers the Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2025), Part B coinsurance or copayment, and Part B excess charges. Additionally, it includes skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, the first three pints of blood for transfusions, and 80% of foreign travel emergency costs, up to plan limits, after a $250 annual deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan G

Plan G provides nearly identical benefits to Plan F, with the key difference being that it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. Beneficiaries with Plan G are responsible for paying the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) out-of-pocket annually. Once that deductible is met, Plan G covers 100% of the Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, and the Part A deductible. Similar to Plan F, Plan G also covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days, skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the first three pints of blood, and 80% of foreign travel emergency care.

High-Deductible Options for Plans F and G

Both Plan F and Plan G offer high-deductible options in some states. These plans require beneficiaries to pay a higher deductible ($2,870 in 2025) before the plan begins to pay benefits, in exchange for lower premiums.

Medicare Supplement Plan N

Plan N offers a balance between comprehensive coverage and lower premiums. It covers 100% of the Medicare Part A deductible, Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an additional 365 days, Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment, and skilled nursing facility care coinsurance. It also covers 100% of the Medicare Part B coinsurance, with the exception of copayments for certain office visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits (up to $50 if not admitted). Unlike Plans F and G, Plan N does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible or Part B excess charges. It does, however, provide 80% coverage for foreign travel emergencies, subject to a deductible and plan limits.

Medicare Supplement Plan A

Plan A is the most basic Medigap policy and is required to be offered by every insurance company. It covers the Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted. It also covers the Part B coinsurance or copayment, hospice care coinsurance or copayment, and the cost of the first three pints of blood. Plan A does not cover the Part A or Part B deductibles, Part B excess charges, or foreign travel emergencies. While it provides foundational coverage, many beneficiaries opt for plans with more extensive benefits. No Medigap plan covers prescription drugs (Medicare Part D), long-term care, vision, dental, or hearing aids.

Medigap Enrollment Process and Timing

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period (MOEP) is a one-time, six-month window. It begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurance companies cannot deny you a Medigap policy, impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, or charge higher premiums based on your health status. This guaranteed issue right ensures access to any Medigap policy sold in your state at the best available rates.

Beyond the MOEP, specific situations grant individuals guaranteed issue rights, allowing them to purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. These rights typically apply when you lose certain types of health coverage, such as:
Employer-sponsored group health plan coverage, including COBRA.
If your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your service area or you move out of its service area.

Trial rights also exist, allowing a return to Original Medicare and a Medigap policy if you initially joined a Medicare Advantage plan but decide it is not suitable within a specific timeframe, typically 12 months. In such cases, you generally have a 63-day window to apply for a Medigap policy without medical underwriting.

To apply for a Medigap policy, you can:
Directly contact insurance companies offering plans in your state.
Work with an independent insurance broker to compare plans and insurers.
Consult State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIPs) for personalized counseling.

Medigap coverage typically begins on the first day of the month after your application is processed, though you can sometimes align the effective date with your Medicare Part B effective date. Premiums are generally paid monthly directly to the private insurance company, in addition to your monthly Medicare Part B premium.