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
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 ($257 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.
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.
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 | 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 ($257 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.