{"id":862,"title":"Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans: Closing the Coverage Gaps","slug":"medicare-supplement-medigap-plans-closing-the-coverage-gaps","lang":"en","description":"This article explains how Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance works alongside Original Medicare to help cover certain out-of-pocket medical costs. It covers standardized Medigap options including Plans G and N, enrollment timing, Plans C and F eligibility, coverage exclusions, and factors to consider when comparing insurers.","content":"

Original Medicare covers a great deal, but it leaves meaningful financial exposure behind. Hospital stays carry a deductible, outpatient care leaves you responsible for a share of each bill, and there is no annual ceiling on those charges. Medigap, formally called Medicare Supplement Insurance, exists to fill those holes. This guide explains how Medigap works in 2026, which plans matter most, when to enroll, and what these plans do not cover.

What Medigap Actually Is

Medigap is private insurance that pays some or all of the expenses Original Medicare leaves behind. According to The Medicare Compass Guide's 2026 overview, it works alongside Original Medicare rather than replacing it, so a policyholder pays the Part B premium ($202.90 per month in 2026) plus a separate Medigap premium.

Several gaps are worth understanding. According to CoveredUSA's 2026 comparison chart, the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, and Part B leaves enrollees responsible for 20% of most outpatient services with no annual cap. Medigap plans are built to absorb much of that exposure.

Standardized Plans: The Same Benefits, Different Premiums

In most states, Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. Ten lettered plans exist today: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Plan G from one insurer covers the same benefits as Plan G from any other insurer. The variable is the monthly premium, which depends on the company, location, age, and in many states, tobacco use. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own standardization systems, so residents there see different plan structures.

Because benefits are identical within each letter, shopping comes down to comparing premiums and the insurer's service reputation. One broker's estimate suggests most people see monthly premiums between $100 and $300 for Plan G depending on zip code and age, though actual quotes vary widely.

Plan G: The Most Comprehensive Choice for New Enrollees

According to Medicare Compass, Plan G covers everything except the Part B deductible, which is $283 for 2026. After paying that deductible once, an enrollee's Medicare-approved expenses are covered at 100% for the rest of the year.

Plan G exists in a high-deductible version too. According to Washington State's 2026 Medigap plan chart, high-deductible Plan G carries a $2,950 deductible in 2026, meaning the enrollee pays Medicare-covered expenses up to that amount before the plan pays anything. In exchange, the monthly premium is meaningfully lower.

Plan N: Lower Premiums, Small Copays

Plan N charges a lower monthly premium than Plan G but shifts a few expenses back to the enrollee. It pays 100% of Part B coinsurance, except for copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in admission. It also does not cover Part B excess charges, which can arise when a provider bills above the Medicare-approved amount. According to MedAlertGuide's 2026 Plan N guide, Plan N tends to suit relatively healthy beneficiaries who visit doctors infrequently and prefer a lower premium in exchange for occasional copays.

Why Plans C and F Are Closed

Older guides still praise Plan F as the gold standard, and that can confuse new enrollees. Under federal law (MACRA), any Medigap plan that pays the Part B deductible is closed to people who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, according to Brevy's 2026 Medigap explainer. People eligible before that date can still buy or keep Plans C and F. Everyone else typically chooses between Plan G and Plan N, which is why Plan G has become the default top-tier selection.

When to Enroll Matters Enormously

The most important date in Medigap is the start of your Open Enrollment Period. According to Medicare Compass, this six-month window begins when you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, insurers cannot deny coverage or charge more based on health conditions.

Miss that window and health underwriting may apply, meaning an insurer can review your medical history and decline the application or raise the premium. In most states there is no yearly open enrollment for Medigap, though a few states provide limited additional windows. Maryland, for example, grants policyholders a yearly window around their birthday, according to the Maryland Insurance Administration's rate guide.

What Medigap Does Not Cover

Medigap has firm limits. It does not cover prescription drugs, so enrollees need a separate Part D plan. According to MedicareGuide's 2027 overview, Part D out-of-pocket spending is capped at $2,100 in 2026, rising to $2,400 for 2027. Medigap also generally excludes routine dental, vision, and hearing services, since it is designed around medical and hospital care. And it works only with Original Medicare: anyone enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan cannot buy a Medigap policy.

FAQs

Do Medigap plans from different insurers cover different benefits?
In most states, no. Benefits are standardized by letter, so the differences are the premium and the insurer's service quality.

Can I still buy Plan F?
Only if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Otherwise, Plan G is the closest equivalent.

Does Medigap cover prescriptions?
No. A separate Part D plan is needed for prescription drug coverage.

Can I use Medigap with a Medicare Advantage plan?
No. Medigap only pairs with Original Medicare.

What happens if I miss my Open Enrollment Period?
An insurer may use health underwriting, which can lead to a denial or a higher premium, unless a guaranteed-issue right applies to your situation.

Conclusion

Medigap can turn unpredictable medical expenses into a steady, predictable premium, and the standardized structure makes comparison simpler than most insurance shopping. For new enrollees, the decision usually narrows to Plan G for maximum protection or Plan N for a lower premium with small copays. The single most valuable step is acting inside the six-month Open Enrollment Period, when health cannot be used against you. Before enrolling, gather quotes from several insurers, verify current figures at Medicare.gov, and consider speaking with a licensed agent or your state's free SHIP counseling program.

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