If you're choosing a Medigap plan in 2026, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to new enrollees — it covers everything Original Medicare doesn't pay except the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan N is the best value for healthy seniors who don't mind small copays: premiums run $40-$80/month less than Plan G, and the difference in out-of-pocket costs often favors Plan N if you have fewer than 6-8 doctor visits per year. We evaluated 6 Medigap plan types and 5 leading insurance companies to help you find the right combination of coverage and cost.
How We Compared These Plans
We evaluated each Medigap plan across 4 criteria:
| Criteria |
Weight |
Why It Matters |
| Benefit Coverage (What's Paid For You) |
High |
Determines your out-of-pocket exposure at the doctor and hospital |
| Average Monthly Premium Range |
High |
Premiums vary by plan, company, age, gender, and location |
| Predictability of Annual Costs |
Medium |
Some plans have copays; others have zero out-of-pocket after deductible |
| Best-Fit Health Profile |
Medium |
Healthier seniors may save more with lower-premium plans |
Data sources: Medicare.gov Medigap plan comparison tool, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standardized benefit charts, AHIP industry premium data, state insurance department rate filings (verified May 2026).
1. Medicare Supplement Plan G — Best Overall Coverage for New Enrollees
Best for: Seniors who want comprehensive, predictable coverage with minimal surprises
What It Covers: Part A coinsurance + hospital costs, Part A hospice copays, Part B coinsurance/copays, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026), foreign travel emergency (80%)
What It Does NOT Cover: Part B deductible ($257/year — you pay this once annually)
Avg. Monthly Premium: $100-$200 depending on age, gender, location, and company
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan for new Medicare enrollees in 2026, and for good reason. After you pay the $257 Part B annual deductible, Plan G covers 100% of approved Medicare costs — doctor visits, specialist visits, outpatient procedures, and hospital stays. There are no copays, no coinsurance, and no network restrictions (any Medicare-accepting provider in the US). Your annual maximum out-of-pocket is predictable: $257 per year.
Pros
- After the $257 deductible, your costs are zero for all covered Medicare services
- No network — see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, nationwide
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% up to $50,000 lifetime) included
Cons
- Higher monthly premium than Plan N or High-Deductible Plan G
- Pays for comprehensive coverage you may not fully use if you're generally healthy
- Part B deductible ($257) is not covered — though this resets annually
Who This Is Best For
Plan G is right for seniors who value predictability and want to know exactly what they will owe each year ($257 maximum for covered services). It's particularly valuable for people managing chronic conditions, those who see specialists regularly, or anyone who has had significant medical costs in the past. If peace of mind about healthcare costs matters more than the lowest possible premium, Plan G delivers that.
2. Medicare Supplement Plan N — Best Value for Healthier Seniors
Best for: Seniors in good health who want lower premiums and can handle small copays
What It Covers: Same broad benefits as Plan G, EXCEPT: Part B excess charges not covered; $20 office visit copay; $50 emergency room copay (waived if admitted)
What It Does NOT Cover: Part B deductible ($257), Part B excess charges, copays per visit
Avg. Monthly Premium: $70-$140 depending on age, gender, location, and company
Plan N offers Plan G-level hospital coverage with lower monthly premiums in exchange for small copays at each doctor visit ($20) and ER visit ($50 if not admitted). For a healthy senior who visits the doctor 4-6 times per year, the math often favors Plan N: if premiums are $60/month less than Plan G ($720/year savings) and you have 5 office visits ($100 in copays), you come out $620 ahead. The calculus reverses for frequent users.
Pros
- $40-$80/month lower premium than Plan G in most markets
- Same hospital and specialist coverage as Plan G
- Still no network — any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide
Cons
- $20 copay per doctor visit and $50 ER copay add up for frequent users
- Part B excess charges not covered (though most doctors accept Medicare assignment)
- Premium savings disappear if you have 10+ office visits per year
Who This Is Best For
Plan N is the smart choice for relatively healthy seniors under 75 who see the doctor 4-8 times per year and want to keep premium costs down. Run the math with your actual visit frequency: if you visited the doctor 6 times last year and ER zero times, Plan N saves money vs. Plan G in most markets. Ask an independent broker to run both scenarios with your real usage history.
3. High-Deductible Plan G — Best for Seniors Who Want the Lowest Premium
Best for: Seniors who are very healthy and want catastrophic-style Medigap protection
Deductible: $2,870 in 2026 (you pay this before Plan G benefits kick in)
What It Covers: Full Plan G benefits after the deductible is met
Avg. Monthly Premium: $30-$70/month (significantly below standard Plan G)
High-Deductible Plan G is Plan G with a $2,870 annual deductible — meaning you pay the first $2,870 of Medicare-approved costs before your Medigap coverage activates. After that, the same comprehensive Plan G benefits apply. The trade-off: premiums are often $80-$130/month less than standard Plan G. For a healthy senior with minimal healthcare use, this may mean paying the full $2,870 deductible in a bad year versus spending $960-$1,560 more in premiums on standard Plan G in a good year.
Pros
- Lowest monthly premium of any comprehensive Medigap option
- Full Plan G protection kicks in for major health events
- Good for building a Health Savings Account (HSA) approach to out-of-pocket costs
Cons
- $2,870 deductible requires financial readiness for unexpected medical costs
- Not ideal for seniors with chronic conditions who regularly reach the deductible
- Requires self-discipline to set aside savings for potential deductible costs
Who This Is Best For
High-Deductible Plan G makes the most sense for seniors aged 65-70 in excellent health who have savings set aside for medical costs and want to minimize monthly expenses. Think of it as a high-deductible health plan equivalent — low premium, protection against catastrophe, but you absorb routine costs. Not recommended for anyone with regular prescription costs or specialist visits.
4. Medicare Supplement Plan K — Best for Buyers Who Want Partial Cost-Sharing
Best for: Seniors who want lower premiums and are comfortable with shared costs on routine care
What It Covers: 100% of Part A hospital costs + Part A deductible (50%); skilled nursing facility (50%); hospice care (100%); Part B coinsurance (50%)
Out-of-Pocket Maximum: $7,220 in 2026 (after which Plan K covers 100%)
Avg. Monthly Premium: $50-$90/month
Plan K provides partial coverage — it pays 50% of several key benefits rather than 100% — in exchange for a significantly lower premium. The annual out-of-pocket maximum ($7,220 in 2026) provides a cap on worst-case exposure. This structure is unusual among Medigap plans and suits a specific buyer: someone who wants catastrophic protection and a hard stop on losses, but can handle shared costs on routine services.
Pros
- Lower premiums than Plans G or N
- Hard out-of-pocket maximum ($7,220) caps worst-case exposure
- 100% coverage for hospital stays after deductible
Cons
- 50% cost-sharing on many benefits creates unpredictable out-of-pocket costs
- Less popular — fewer insurers offer it, which can limit rate competition
- Complexity makes it harder to budget vs. Plan G's predictable $257 annual exposure
Who This Is Best For
Plan K suits budget-focused seniors who are comfortable with some cost uncertainty and primarily want protection against major hospitalization costs. It's a niche plan — most buyers are better served by Plan N (which offers more comprehensive coverage for not much more premium). Worth a side-by-side comparison with Plan N before choosing.
5. Medicare Supplement Plan A — Most Basic Coverage
Best for: Seniors who want the minimum Medigap benefit at the lowest possible premium
What It Covers: Part A hospital coinsurance (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits exhaust); Part B coinsurance/copays; first 3 pints of blood; Part A hospice care coinsurance
What It Does NOT Cover: Part A deductible, Part B deductible, skilled nursing, foreign travel
Avg. Monthly Premium: $50-$100/month
Plan A is the baseline — it covers only the core benefits that all Medigap plans must include by law. It does not cover the Part A hospital deductible ($1,676 in 2026), skilled nursing facility costs, or foreign travel. The premium savings over Plan G are real ($50-$80/month in many markets), but the gaps in coverage are significant for anyone who has a hospital stay or needs skilled nursing care.
Pros
- Lowest premium among standardized Medigap plans
- Covers Part B coinsurance so routine doctor visits have no cost-sharing
Cons
- No coverage for the $1,676 Part A hospital deductible — a major gap
- No skilled nursing facility coverage after Medicare's 20 days
- No foreign travel emergency coverage
Who This Is Best For
Plan A is rarely the right choice for most seniors — the premium savings versus Plan N are modest, but the gaps in coverage (especially the Part A deductible) create real financial risk. The only scenario where Plan A makes clear sense is if you are in excellent health, never travel internationally, and are confident you will not require hospitalization or skilled nursing in the foreseeable future. Most independent brokers recommend Plan N over Plan A for meaningful coverage at a similar price point.
Top Medigap Insurance Companies Compared
All Medigap plans are standardized by CMS — Plan G from Company A covers the same benefits as Plan G from Company B. The differences are premium pricing, rate stability over time, and customer service quality.
| Company |
Best Known For |
Financial Rating |
Rate Stability History |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare |
Largest Medigap insurer; strong brand recognition |
A (Excellent) |
Moderate increases |
| Mutual of Omaha |
Competitive rates; strong customer service scores |
A+ (Superior) |
Generally stable |
| Cigna |
Competitive pricing in many markets; household discount |
A (Excellent) |
Variable by state |
| Aetna |
Broad availability; competitive Plan N pricing |
A (Excellent) |
Moderate |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield |
Strong local market presence; regional pricing advantages |
Varies by plan |
Varies by state |
Important: Premium rates for the same plan vary significantly by company, age, gender, tobacco use, and state. Always get quotes from at least 3 companies for the same plan letter before enrolling. An independent Medicare broker (not a captive agent tied to one company) can run comparisons across all companies in your zip code at no cost to you.
How We Researched This
This guide draws on Medicare.gov's standardized Medigap comparison tools, CMS 2026 benefit and deductible publications, AHIP industry enrollment and premium data, A.M. Best financial strength ratings, and state insurance department rate filings. All plan benefits and deductible amounts reflect 2026 CMS-published figures. Premium ranges are estimates — actual quotes depend on your age, sex, tobacco use, zip code, and the specific insurance company. Always obtain personalized quotes through Medicare.gov or a licensed independent Medicare broker.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage?
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover cost-sharing gaps. Medicare Advantage (Part C) replaces Original Medicare with a private insurance plan. With Medigap, you keep Original Medicare and can see any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide. With Medicare Advantage, you typically use a network and may have lower premiums but face copays and network restrictions.
When is the best time to buy a Medigap plan?
The best time is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6 months starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums due to health conditions. After this window, you may be subject to medical underwriting in most states.
Can I switch Medigap plans later?
In most states, you can apply to switch plans at any time, but you will be subject to medical underwriting (health questions) after your initial open enrollment period. Insurance companies can deny you or charge more based on your health history. A few states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York) have continuous open enrollment — check your state's rules.
Is Plan G or Plan N better for 2026?
For most healthy seniors aged 65-72, Plan N offers better value — lower premiums with small copays that rarely exceed the premium savings. For seniors with chronic conditions or frequent specialist visits, Plan G's zero-copay structure after the $257 deductible typically provides better total value. Ask an independent broker to run the comparison with your actual anticipated visit frequency.
What does Medigap not cover?
No Medigap plan covers: prescription drugs (you need Part D separately), dental care, vision care, hearing aids, long-term custodial care, or services not covered by Original Medicare. Some plans include foreign travel emergency coverage up to a lifetime limit.
How much does Medigap cost per month in 2026?
Monthly premiums vary widely by plan, age, sex, tobacco use, and location. Plan G typically runs $100-$200/month for a 65-year-old non-smoking woman; Plan N runs $70-$140. Premiums increase as you age — most insurers use attained-age rating, meaning your premium increases each year. Ask your broker about issue-age and community-rated companies, which may have more stable long-term costs.
Does Medigap cover prescriptions?
No. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. You need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for medication coverage. Part D plans are sold by private insurance companies and available during the same Open Enrollment period as Medigap.
How do I find the best Medigap rate in my area?
Use Medicare.gov's Medigap policy search tool to see all plans available in your zip code. Better yet, contact a licensed independent Medicare broker — they are paid by the insurance companies, not by you, and can compare rates across all companies in your area and help you enroll at no additional cost.
Important Disclosures
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute insurance, legal, or financial advice. Medigap plan benefits, premiums, and availability vary by state and insurance company. Always consult a licensed Medicare insurance professional before enrolling in any Medicare plan. Plan benefits and cost-sharing amounts reflect 2026 CMS figures and are subject to annual change. Last updated: May 2026.
