What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
A Medicare Supplement plan — commonly called Medigap — is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to help pay the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as:
- Part A and Part B coinsurance and copayments
- Part A hospital costs and hospice care coinsurance
- Part B excess charges
- The first 3 pints of blood each year
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (80%)
Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans do not replace Original Medicare — they supplement it. You keep your Medicare card and can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide, with no network restrictions.
Compare the Most Popular Medigap Plans
There are 10 standardized Medigap plans (A through N), but three stand out as the most popular choices:
Plan G
The most popular choice — covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible.
- Part A coinsurance & hospital costs
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Part B excess charges
- First 3 pints of blood
- Skilled nursing coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
Plan N
Lower premiums with small copays for some office and ER visits.
- Part A coinsurance & hospital costs
- Part B coinsurance (with copays)
- First 3 pints of blood
- Skilled nursing coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Lower monthly premium
Plan F
The most comprehensive plan — only available if Medicare-eligible before Jan 1, 2020.
- Everything Plan G covers
- Part B deductible included
- Part B excess charges
- Zero out-of-pocket for covered services
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Pre-2020 eligibility required
High-Deductible Plan G
The lowest monthly premium of any comprehensive Medigap plan — same full coverage as Plan G once your annual deductible is met.
- Covers everything Plan G covers — after deductible
- Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (365 extra days)
- Part B coinsurance & excess charges (after deductible)
- Part A deductible counts toward your $2,950
- Skilled nursing & hospice coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- $2,950 annual deductible (2026) — all cost-sharing counts
- Medicare still pays 80% — you only cover 20%
Why Plan G Is the #1 Choice
Since Plan F was closed to new enrollees after January 1, 2020, Plan G has become the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in the country. Here's why:
- Predictable costs — After paying the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), you have virtually zero out-of-pocket costs for the rest of the year.
- No network restrictions — See any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the U.S.
- No referrals needed — Go directly to any specialist without needing a primary care referral.
- Guaranteed renewable — Your plan can't be cancelled as long as you pay your premiums.
- Lower premiums than Plan F — Because new enrollees keep joining, the risk pool stays younger and healthier.
How High-Deductible Plan G Actually Works — and a Common Misconception
Many people assume "high-deductible" means paying the full cost of care — entirely out of pocket — until they hit $2,950. That is not how it works. Here is what actually happens:
All Year Long — All Medicare Cost-Sharing Counts
Every dollar you pay toward Medicare-covered services — the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible, your 20% coinsurance — all of it counts toward your $2,950 deductible.
→ Part A + Part B costs all count
Outpatient Care — Medicare Still Pays 80%
For Part B services (doctor visits, outpatient care), Medicare pays its 80% share. You pay the remaining 20% — not the full bill — and that 20% accumulates toward your deductible.
→ Example: $100 visit → you pay $20
If Hospitalized — Part A Deductible Counts Too
If admitted to the hospital, the $1,736 Part A deductible you owe goes toward your $2,950 High-Deductible Plan G deductible — bringing you much closer to full coverage quickly.
→ $1,736 of $2,950 met in one stay
Once You Hit $2,950 — Full Coverage
Once your combined out-of-pocket costs reach $2,950, High-Deductible Plan G covers 100% of remaining Medicare-approved costs for the rest of that calendar year. Resets January 1st.
→ Full coverage kicks in
⚠ Common Misconception
People often assume High-Deductible Plan G means paying the full cost of care — all by yourself — until you hit $2,950. That is not true. For outpatient care, Medicare always pays its 80% first, and you are only covering the 20% coinsurance. And if you are hospitalized, that $1,736 Part A deductible counts toward your $2,950 cap, so you can reach full coverage faster than most people expect. The $2,950 is a ceiling on your exposure — not a wall before Medicare helps.
A Note on High-Deductible Plan G — and Why We Think It Matters More Every Year
Medigap carriers have been raising Plan G and Plan N premiums by double digits in many markets — and that trend is not slowing down. For people who are healthy and have some financial cushion, High-Deductible Plan G offers the same comprehensive coverage as Plan G at a fraction of the monthly cost. The math often works out significantly in favor of the high-deductible option over a 5–10 year horizon, even accounting for years where the full deductible is met. We believe more people should at least understand this option before they decide — which is why we make it a priority in every conversation we have.
When to Enroll in a Medigap Plan
Timing is critical with Medicare Supplement plans. Here are the key enrollment windows:
- Medigap Open Enrollment Period — Your best window: 6 months starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this time, no insurer can deny you or charge more due to health conditions.
- Guaranteed Issue Rights — In certain situations (like losing employer coverage or your Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area), you have guaranteed rights to buy a Medigap plan.
- Outside Open Enrollment — You can still apply, but insurers in most states can use medical underwriting, which means they may deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health.
Don't wait. The best rates and guaranteed acceptance are only available during your initial enrollment window. We help you understand your timeline and make the right move.
📘 Want to Know If You'll Qualify Before You Call?
Request your free copy of our Medicare Resource Guide — it includes the medical underwriting questions insurers typically ask, so you can review them on your own time and decide if you'd like to move forward. Call (904) 654-5450 or email us to request your free guide.
🎥 Thinking About Leaving Medigap for Medicare Advantage?
We get this question a lot — especially from people facing rising supplement premiums. We've put together an on-demand webinar that honestly covers the pros and cons of making that switch. Email info@merebenefits.com and ask us to send you a copy.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage — Which Is Right for You?
This is the most common Medicare question we hear. Here's a quick comparison:
| Feature | Medicare Supplement | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Works with | Original Medicare | Replaces Original Medicare |
| Doctor network | Any Medicare provider nationwide | Plan-specific network |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Often $0 |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Very low / predictable | Copays and deductibles apply |
| Drug coverage | Separate Part D plan needed | Often included |
| Extra benefits | None | Often includes dental, vision, hearing, fitness |
Neither option is universally "better" — it depends on your health, budget, travel habits, and preferred doctors. We help you decide which approach fits your life.
Frequently Asked Medigap Questions
A Medicare Supplement plan is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to help cover out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Original Medicare doesn't fully pay.
Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan today. It covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
The best time to enroll is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to pre-existing conditions.
Yes, but outside your initial enrollment period you may need to go through medical underwriting, which means you could be denied or charged more based on your health. That's why choosing the right plan initially is so important.
No. Medicare Supplement plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You'll need a separate standalone Part D prescription drug plan. We help you find one that covers your medications at the lowest cost.
Yes — 100% free. We're compensated by the insurance carriers, so you pay the exact same premium whether you enroll through us or directly. But you get expert help at no extra cost.
It depends on your health and your financial situation — but for many people, it is worth a serious look. The core question is: would you rather pay a higher premium every month, guaranteed, or a lower premium with the possibility of paying more in a heavy-use year?
Here is the math framework we walk clients through: take the annual premium difference between Plan G and High-Deductible Plan G in your area (often $1,000–$2,000+ per year). Then ask: in any given year, would your out-of-pocket costs under High-Deductible Plan G realistically exceed that savings? For most healthy people in most years, the answer is no — and the savings compound over time.
What makes High-Deductible Plan G compelling is the $2,950 cap. Once you hit it, coverage is identical to Plan G for the rest of the year. You are not exposed to unlimited risk. And remember: Medicare still pays its 80% throughout — so the $2,950 is a ceiling on the 20% cost-sharing portion only.
The honest caveat: if your health changes significantly after you enroll, switching to Plan G later may require medical underwriting — and approval is not guaranteed in Florida. So this is a decision worth thinking through carefully. We help clients run the numbers and think long-term. Give us a call and we will do that with you — no pressure, no obligation.