Comparing plans
Medigap Plans
by Christian Worstell | Published December 18, 2023 | Reviewed by John Krahnert
Medigap plans are sold by private insurers to help cover some of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs. In most states, there are 10 standardized Medigap plans to choose from, each providing varying levels of basic benefits to Medicare beneficiaries.
Medigap Plan Benefits
All 10 Medigap policies provide coverage for:
- Medicare Part A coinsurance for hospital care
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- First three pints of blood
Nine of the 10 standardized Medigap plans provide basic benefits beyond those listed above. The only Medigap that does not is Medigap Plan A. To compare the benefits of all 10 Medigap plans, refer to the chart below.
Scroll to the right to continue reading the chart
Medicare Supplement Benefits
Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage
Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
First 3 pints of blood
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Part A deductible
Part B deductible
Part B excess charges
Foreign travel emergency
| Medicare Supplement Benefits | A | B | C* | D | F1* | G1 | K2 | L3 | M | N4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital coverage | ||||||||||
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| First 3 pints of blood | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 50% | 75% | ||||||||
| Part A deductible | 50% | 75% | 50% | |||||||
| Part B deductible | ||||||||||
| Part B excess charges | ||||||||||
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plan F and Plan C are not available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F or Plan C as long as they are available in your area.
+ Read moreNote: Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their Medigap plans differently.That period begins when you turn 65 and have enrolled in Medicare Part B.
Important: Plan F and Plan C are not available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Eligibility
You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to be eligible for a Medigap plan. If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C), you cannot enroll in a Medigap plan. You may have the option to drop your Medicare Advantage plan and join a Medigap plan instead, but you must first enroll in Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B).
If you are younger than 65 and qualify for Medicare because of a disability or medical condition, your eligibility for Medigap will vary based on where you live. Some states require insurance companies to offer Medigap to Medicare recipients under the age of 65 and some do not.
Enrolling in a Plan
If you're considering adding a Medigap plan to your Original Medicare coverage, it is important to enroll during your open enrollment period. Your open enrollment period is the six-month period that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.
If you enroll in Medigap during your open enrollment period, insurers cannot use medical underwriting to determine how much you'll pay for a policy.
If you enroll in Medigap outside of your open enrollment period, however, you could be denied coverage or be required to pay a higher monthly premium.
Get a Quote
The easiest way to compare quotes in your area is to speak to a licensed agent who can help you find the right plan for your individual needs. Speak with a licensed agent today at 1-800-995-4219.
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