Original Medicare provides broad healthcare coverage, but it doesn’t pay 100% of your medical expenses.
You can still be responsible for deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs when you receive care.
That’s where a Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, can help.
Medicare Supplement insurance works alongside Original Medicare to help pay some of the healthcare costs that Medicare leaves behind.
At Senior Savings Network, we help you compare Medicare Supplement plans and insurance companies so you can understand your options before you enroll.
COMPARE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLANS
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Medicare Supplement insurance is private insurance designed to supplement Original Medicare.
You generally must have:
When you receive a Medicare-covered service, Original Medicare pays first. Your Medicare Supplement policy can then help pay some or all of the remaining costs covered by your particular plan.
This can include costs such as:
Think of it this way:
Medicare Supplement insurance helps fill some of the financial “gaps” left by Original Medicare.
This is one of the biggest differences between a Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage.
With a Medicare Supplement, you keep Original Medicare as your primary insurance.
When you go to the doctor or hospital:
Medicare determines whether the service is covered and pays its portion of the Medicare-approved amount.
In most cases, the claim information can be sent directly from Medicare to your Medicare Supplement insurance company.
Depending on which Medicare Supplement plan you have, it may pay some or all of the remaining Medicare-approved costs.
That combination can make your medical expenses much more predictable.
One of the biggest reasons people choose a Medicare Supplement is flexibility.
With Original Medicare and a standard Medicare Supplement policy, you generally aren't choosing doctors from an insurance company's provider network.
You can use any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.
That can be especially valuable if you:
Your Medicare Supplement doesn't replace Medicare's provider rules—it simply works alongside Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement plans are identified by letters.
In most states, plans include A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
The important thing to understand is this:
The benefits of a particular plan letter are standardized.
[insert medigap chart]
For example, a standard Plan G from one insurance company provides the same basic standardized medical benefits as a standard Plan G from another company.
What can be different?
That means once you decide which plan letter fits your needs, comparing insurance companies and premiums becomes especially important.
Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Medicare Supplement policies differently.
While several Medicare Supplement plans are available, most of the conversations we have center around three:
Each provides strong supplemental coverage, but there are important differences.
The Most Comprehensive Standardized Coverage—If You're Eligible
Plan F has traditionally been popular because it covers most of the major out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
Among its standardized benefits, Plan F covers:
Because Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible, however, not everyone can purchase it.
Who Can Buy Plan F?
If you became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you generally cannot purchase Plan F.
If you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to purchase Plan F if it is available to you and you meet the applicable enrollment requirements.
Already have Plan F?
You can generally keep your coverage as long as the policy remains in force and you continue paying your premiums.
Comprehensive Coverage for People Newer to Medicare
For people who aren't eligible for Plan F, Plan G is one of the most comprehensive standardized Medicare Supplement options available.
Plan G covers many of the same Medicare-approved expenses as Plan F.
The major difference is:
Plan G does not pay the Medicare Part B deductible.
You pay the annual Part B deductible yourself. After that, Plan G generally covers the remaining Medicare-approved Part B coinsurance according to the plan's standardized benefits.
Plan G also covers benefits including:
For someone who wants comprehensive supplemental coverage with relatively predictable medical expenses, Plan G is often one of the first options worth comparing.
Lower Premium Potential in Exchange for More Cost Sharing
Plan N is another popular Medicare Supplement option.
It provides many of the same core benefits as Plan G, but you agree to pay certain costs yourself in exchange for potentially lower premiums.
With Plan N, you are responsible for the Medicare Part B deductible.
You may also have:
Plan N also does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
For someone who doesn't mind paying occasional copayments and wants to compare lower-premium options, Plan N may be worth considering.
Here's the simplest way to think about these three popular plans.
Plan F
Most comprehensive coverage for those who are eligible.
You generally have very little Medicare-approved medical cost sharing because the plan even covers the Part B deductible.
However, Plan F isn't available to people who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Plan G
Comprehensive coverage with one primary deductible to handle yourself.
You pay the Medicare Part B deductible, and Plan G then provides extensive coverage for Medicare-approved costs according to its standardized benefits.
Plan N
Strong coverage with more cost sharing.
You pay the Part B deductible, may have certain office and emergency room copayments, and are responsible for Part B excess charges if they apply.
In exchange, Plan N premiums may be lower than more comprehensive options, depending on the insurance company and where you live.
Lower Monthly Premiums With More Upfront Cost Sharing
High-Deductible Plan G is another version of Medicare Supplement Plan G available in some states.
It provides the same basic standardized benefits as regular Plan G, but there's one major difference:
You must meet a higher annual deductible before the Medicare Supplement policy begins paying.
In 2026, the High-Deductible Plan G deductible is $2,950. Before you reach that amount, you pay Medicare-covered deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance that Original Medicare doesn't pay. Once you've met the deductible, High-Deductible Plan G begins paying according to Plan G's standardized benefits for the rest of the calendar year.
The deductible amount is set annually and can change from year to year.
Original Medicare still pays first.
For example, when you receive a Medicare-covered service:
1. Medicare pays its portion of the approved cost.
2. You pay the remaining Medicare-approved costs until you've satisfied the High-Deductible Plan G deductible.
3. After you meet the deductible, your Plan G coverage kicks in and pays according to the standardized Plan G benefits for the remainder of that calendar year.
You still keep the flexibility of Original Medicare and can generally see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare.
The biggest attraction is typically the lower monthly premium compared with traditional Plan G.
In exchange, you're agreeing to take on more of your healthcare costs yourself before the Supplement begins paying.
High-Deductible Plan G may be worth considering if you:
The tradeoff is simple:
Lower premium now, but potentially higher out-of-pocket costs when you use healthcare.
For some people, traditional Plan G provides the predictability they prefer. For others, High-Deductible Plan G can be an attractive way to keep monthly premiums down while still having Medicare Supplement protection in place.
Medicare Supplement insurance isn't designed to cover every healthcare expense.
Standard Medigap policies generally don't cover:
For prescription medications, you can typically enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Medicare Supplement policies sold today do not include prescription drug coverage.
These two types of coverage are sometimes confused, but they work very differently.
With Medicare Supplement:
You remain enrolled in Original Medicare.
Medicare is your primary coverage, and your Medicare Supplement policy helps pay certain costs that Original Medicare doesn't pay.
With Medicare Advantage:
You receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare Advantage plan instead of through Original Medicare.
You cannot use a Medicare Supplement policy to pay the copayments, deductibles, or premiums of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Generally, you choose Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage—not both.
COMPARE MY MEDICARE OPTIONS
You pay a separate monthly premium for your Medicare Supplement policy in addition to your Medicare Part B premium.
Premiums can vary significantly based on factors including:
The standardized benefits may be the same, but the price can be very different from one insurance company to another.
That's one reason comparing companies matters.
Paying more for Plan G from one company doesn't necessarily mean you're getting more standardized Plan G medical benefits.
Timing matters.
For many people, the best opportunity to buy a Medicare Supplement policy is during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
This six-month period generally begins the first month you're both:
During this period, an insurance company generally can't deny you a Medigap policy because of pre-existing health problems.
What Happens If You Wait?
After your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends, your options can be different.
Depending on your state and circumstances, an insurance company may be allowed to use medical underwriting when you apply. You could potentially pay more or be denied coverage unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue right or another protection.
That's why it's important to understand your options before your initial enrollment opportunity passes.
You may be able to change companies or plans, but don't assume that switching is automatic.
Depending on your state, timing, and circumstances, changing Medicare Supplement policies may require medical underwriting.
Before canceling an existing policy, make sure you understand:
Don't cancel good coverage until you know your replacement coverage is approved and ready to begin.
There isn't one Medicare Supplement plan that's automatically best for everyone.
Someone who wants the most comprehensive coverage available to them may prefer one option.
Someone who is comfortable paying occasional copayments in exchange for a potentially lower monthly premium may prefer another.
The right choice can depend on:
And remember:
Choosing the plan letter is only half the decision.
You also need to choose the insurance company offering that plan.
You don't have to call insurance company after insurance company trying to compare Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N on your own.
That's what we do.
The team at Senior Savings Network can help you:
Call Senior Savings Network at 1-800-729-9590.
Or click below to request Medicare Supplement help.
COMPARE MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT RATES
