Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans

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Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, is health insurance that helps pay for costs that aren’t covered by Original Medicare, like certain copayments, coinsurance or deductibles.

Medicare Supplement Insurance operates as additional — not primary — insurance coverage. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap plan. The plans differ in terms of what they cover, out-of-pocket limits and premiums.

These policies are sold by private health insurance companies, and the plans are standardized, so Medigap Plan G from one company in New York will offer the same coverage as Medigap Plan G from a different company in Ohio.

» MORE: Best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans

Compare Medicare Supplement plans

If you’re considering a Medigap policy, it helps to understand what each plan covers. There are 10 standardized Medigap plans available in most states, and they differ in terms of coverage for services, out-of-pocket limits and premium costs. (Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin use different standards.)

The best plan for you depends on where you live, your health and potential health care needs, your financial situation and your tolerance for risk. This table breaks down the 10 standard Medigap plan types into categories so you can learn more about which plans might be the best fit for you:

Get details on Medicare Supplement Insurance options
Coverage	Medigap Plan
Basic benefits	Medigap Plan A.
Basics plus some extras	Medigap Plan B. Medigap Plan M.
Highest coverage	Medigap Plan D. Medigap Plan G.
Lower premiums, but higher copays	Medigap Plan N.
Lowest premiums — partial coverage	Medigap Plan K. Medigap Plan L.
No longer for sale to new Medicare members	Medigap Plan C. Medigap Plan F.

Which Medicare Supplement plan has the highest coverage?

Your highest-coverage Medigap option depends on your age-based Medicare eligibility date:

If you became eligible before 2020, Medigap Plan F has the most coverage.
If you became eligible in 2020 or later, you generally can’t buy Plan F, so Plan G is your highest-coverage option.

» MORE: Medigap Plan F vs. Plan G: Which one is right for you?

What Medicare Supplement plan is most popular?

Just three Medicare Supplement Insurance plans cover more than 80% of all Medigap beneficiaries. Here are the most popular plan types as of the end of 2021:

Plan F covers 41% of members.
Plan G covers 32% of members.
Plan N covers 10% of members.

» MORE: Best Medicare Supplement Plan G companies

Medicare Supplement Insurance plan comparison chart

Here’s a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan comparison chart to help you see what's covered by each plan type, according to Medicare.gov:

Medigap benefit	Medigap plans that cover it
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up.	A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N.
Part B coinsurance or copayment.	A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N**. K covers 50%. L covers 75%.
Blood (first 3 pints).	A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N. K covers 50%. L covers 75%.
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.	A, B, C, D, F, G, M, N. K covers 50%. L covers 75%.
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.	C, D, F, G, M, N. K covers 50%. L covers 75%.
Part A deductible.	B, C, D, F, G, N. K and M cover 50%. L covers 75%.
Part B deductible.	C, F*.
Part B excess charge.	F, G.
Foreign travel exchange (deductible and limitations apply).	C, D, F, G, M and N** cover at 80%.
Out-of-pocket limit***.	K: $7,060 in 2024. L: $3,530 in 2024. N/A for all other plans.
* In some states, Plans F and G have a high-deductible plan option. That means you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments, deductibles) up to the deductible of $2,800 in 2024, at which point your coverage will kick in. Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and a copayment of up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t lead to inpatient admission. * For Plans K and L, once you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the remainder of the year.

Choose a Medicare Supplement Insurance company

Because Medicare supplement plans are standardized, your coverage is the same no matter what company you use. But there’s still good reason to shop around.

Factors such as pricing, customer service and plan types offered can help determine the best Medicare Supplement companies for you.

Shopping for Medigap plans? We have you covered.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT, or Medigap, is private health insurance that covers “gaps” in traditional Medicare coverage. Compare options from our Medigap roundup.
Best for Medigap plan options AARP/UnitedHealthcare	Best for member satisfaction State Farm
Best for premium discounts Mutual of Omaha	Best for extra benefits Anthem

When to enroll in Medicare Supplement Insurance

Ideally, you should buy Medicare Supplement Insurance during your Medigap open enrollment period.

This period happens only once. It starts once you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts for six months. (If you're still working after 65 and covered by a group employer plan that is deemed creditable coverage, your six-month period starts after you’ve ended active employment or no longer have that insurance.)

Medigap policies are cheapest and easiest to get during this open enrollment period because insurance companies aren’t allowed to factor your health or medical history into your price. After the period ends, the prices may go up or you may be denied coverage due to your health status or medical history.

In some states, insurance companies sell Medigap plans to those under 65 who are living with a disability and are eligible for Medicare. You can find more information through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP.

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visit Medicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).

The parts of Medicare

Read more about the different parts of Medicare and what they cover.

Medicare Part A (hospital insurance).
Medicare Part B (medical insurance).
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage).
Medicare Part D (prescription drug plan).
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).

Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans - NerdWallet (2024)