Medicare Supplement Insurance Explained
Keep Original Medicare and add coverage that helps with certain out-of-pocket costs.
Original Medicare Stays Primary
Medicare pays its share of Medicare-approved covered services first. Your Medigap policy then helps with certain remaining costs according to your policy.
Helps With Out-of-Pocket Costs
Depending on the Medigap plan, coverage helps with certain deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left by Original Medicare.
Broad Provider Access
With Original Medicare, you generally have access to doctors and hospitals nationwide that participate in Medicare and accept Medicare patients.
Add Part D Separately
Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. You generally choose a separate Medicare Part D plan if you want prescription drug coverage.
The Important Part
Medigap plans are standardized by letter in most states. Plans with the same letter provide the same basic Medicare benefits regardless of the insurance company offering the policy. Premiums, underwriting rules when applicable, discounts, customer service, and other factors can differ by insurance company.
How Medicare Supplement Insurance Works
Original Medicare remains your primary coverage. Your Medicare Supplement policy helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare.
Original Medicare
Pays First
Medicare Part A and Part B pay their share of Medicare-approved covered services.
Your Medigap Policy Helps Pay Certain Costs
Your Medicare Supplement policy helps pay certain costs according to the benefits included in your plan.
You Pay What
Remains
Your remaining costs depend on the services you receive and the Medicare Supplement plan you selected.
You Keep Original Medicare
You remain enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. You continue paying your Medicare Part B premium in addition to any premium for your Medicare Supplement policy.
Medicare Processes Your Claim
When you receive a Medicare-covered service, Original Medicare processes the claim first and pays its share of the Medicare-approved amount.
Your Medigap Policy Helps Next
Your Medicare Supplement policy helps with certain remaining Medicare cost-sharing based on the benefits included in the standardized plan you selected.
One Important Distinction
Medicare Supplement insurance does not replace Original Medicare. It works alongside Medicare Part A and Part B to help with certain out-of-pocket costs. Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage, so you generally choose a separate Medicare Part D plan if you want prescription drug coverage.
Understanding Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans are identified by letters. Each plan letter provides a specific set of standardized Medicare benefits, making it easier to compare the same plan across insurance companies.
A Plan G is a Plan G regardless of which insurance company offers it. The basic Medicare benefits for the same standardized plan letter are the same. What differs between insurance companies includes premiums, available discounts, underwriting rules when applicable, customer service, and how rates change over time.
Plan G
Broad Coverage
Plan N
Lower Premium Potential With Some Cost Sharing
High-Deductible Plan G
Lower Premium Potential With Higher Upfront Costs
If the Benefits Are Standardized, Why Compare Companies?
The Medicare benefits of the same standardized plan letter are the same, but the insurance companies are not. Premiums, household or other available discounts, underwriting requirements when applicable, customer service, financial strength, and rate history can differ. Choosing a Medigap policy involves comparing both the plan letter and the company offering it.
The Lowest Premium Is Not Always the Whole Story
Consider the coverage you want, your current premium, potential future rate changes, the insurance company, and your ability to change Medigap policies later before making your decision.
What Medicare Supplement Insurance Does Not Cover
Medicare Supplement insurance helps with certain costs left by Original Medicare, but it does not provide every type of healthcare coverage you may want.
Prescription Drugs
Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you generally choose a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Routine Dental Care
Standard Medigap policies generally do not cover routine dental services such as cleanings, fillings, dentures, or other routine dental care.
Routine Vision & Hearing
Standard Medigap policies generally do not include routine eye exams for glasses, eyeglasses, routine hearing exams, or hearing aids.
Long-Term Care
Medigap does not provide coverage for long-term custodial care. Medicare and Medigap coverage for skilled nursing care is different from long-term custodial care.
Medigap Fills Medicare Cost Gaps. It Does Not Replace Every Type of Coverage.
Think of Medicare Supplement insurance as coverage designed to work with Original Medicare. Depending on your needs, you may also want separate prescription drug, dental, vision, hearing, or other coverage.
Look at Your Complete Coverage
When comparing your Medicare options, consider more than the Medigap plan itself. Review your prescriptions, dental and vision needs, expected healthcare use, travel, budget, and any additional coverage you may want.
When You Buy Medigap Matters
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan is only part of the decision. When you apply may affect your choices, your ability to qualify, and what you pay.
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this one-time period, you can buy any Medigap policy sold to you in your state without being denied because of your health.
You Have Important Protections
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, an insurance company cannot use medical underwriting to deny your application because of pre-existing health problems or charge you more because of those health problems.
It Does Not Repeat Every Year
Medigap Open Enrollment is different from Medicare's annual Open Enrollment Period. Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period is generally a one-time opportunity and does not restart each year.
Delaying Part B May Delay It
If you delay Medicare Part B because you have qualifying employer coverage, your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins when you later enroll in Part B at age 65 or older.
What Happens After Your Open Enrollment Period?
Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, federal law generally does not guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a Medigap policy. Depending on your situation and state law, an insurer may use medical underwriting, charge more, or deny your application unless you have a guaranteed issue right or another protection.
There Are Important Exceptions
Certain situations provide guaranteed issue rights that let you buy certain Medigap policies without medical underwriting. Examples can include losing certain coverage, a Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area, or qualifying for specific Medicare Advantage trial rights. State laws may provide additional protections, so your individual situation matters.
Can You Change Medicare Supplement Plans Later?
You are not necessarily locked into the same Medicare Supplement policy forever. But changing plans later may be different from choosing a plan during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
Yes, You Can Apply to Change Plans
You can apply for a different Medicare Supplement policy. However, depending on when you apply and the protections available to you, the new insurance company may be allowed to use medical underwriting when deciding whether to accept your application.
Your Health May Matter
Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue situation, an insurance company may ask health questions and use medical underwriting when reviewing your application.
Guaranteed Issue Rights Matter
Certain situations give you special protections called guaranteed issue rights. When these protections apply, insurance companies must sell you certain Medigap policies regardless of your health.
State Rules May Help
Some states provide Medigap protections beyond federal requirements. Your ability to change policies may therefore depend on where you live and your specific circumstances.
Never Cancel Your Current Policy Too Soon
If you are changing Medicare Supplement policies, make sure you understand whether your new coverage has been approved and when it becomes effective before ending your existing coverage.
Your First Medigap Decision Deserves Careful Thought
Because changing plans later may involve medical underwriting, your initial decision should consider more than today's premium. Look at the coverage, insurance company, pricing history, available discounts, customer service, and how the policy fits your long-term needs.
What Does Medicare Supplement Insurance Cost?
Your total cost includes more than your Medicare Supplement premium. Understanding each piece helps you compare your options more accurately.
Medicare Supplement Premium
You pay a monthly premium to the private insurance company providing your Medicare Supplement policy.
Varies by company and policyMedicare Part B Premium
$202.90This is the standard 2026 monthly Part B premium. You continue paying your Medicare Part B premium when you have Medicare Supplement insurance. Higher-income beneficiaries may pay more.
2026 Standard Part B PremiumMedicare Part B Deductible
$283For Medigap plans sold to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, the Part B deductible is not covered. With plans such as Plan G and Plan N, you generally pay this deductible before Medicare and your policy begin paying applicable Part B costs.
2026 Part B DeductiblePrescription Drug Coverage
Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription coverage, you generally choose a separate Medicare Part D plan with its own premium and cost sharing.
Separate Part D planWhy Can the Same Medigap Plan Cost Different Amounts?
The Lowest Premium Is Not Always the Lowest Long-Term Cost
When comparing Medicare Supplement policies, look beyond today's premium. Consider the standardized plan benefits, insurance company, available discounts, underwriting rules, customer service, pricing structure, and how the policy fits your long-term needs.
Plan G vs. Plan N vs. High-Deductible Plan G
These Medicare Supplement options take different approaches to balancing monthly premiums and the healthcare costs you pay yourself.
Plan G
Broad coverage with limited Medicare cost sharing
Plan N
Lower premium potential with some cost sharing
High-Deductible Plan G
Lower premium potential with higher upfront exposure
Important state differences: Medigap policies are standardized differently in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Available plans, benefits, and state protections may also vary depending on where you live.
Plan G
Broader coverage of Medicare cost sharing in exchange for a generally higher monthly premium.
Plan N
Potentially lower premiums in exchange for some office and emergency room copays and no coverage for Part B excess charges.
High-Deductible Plan G
Potentially lower premiums in exchange for paying more Medicare-covered costs yourself before the policy begins paying its benefits.
There Is No Single Medigap Plan That Fits Everyone
Compare your monthly premium with the costs you may pay when you receive care. Your healthcare use, budget, comfort with out-of-pocket costs, travel needs, and long-term strategy all matter when comparing Medicare Supplement options.
How Medigap and Part D Work Together
With a Medicare Supplement strategy, different parts of your coverage handle different healthcare expenses.
Original Medicare
Medicare Part A and Part B provide your primary hospital and medical coverage.
Medicare Supplement
Your Medigap policy helps pay certain deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left by Original Medicare.
Medicare Part D
A separate Part D plan provides outpatient prescription drug coverage.
Medicare Handles Your Medical Coverage
Original Medicare remains your primary insurance. You generally have access to any doctor or hospital nationwide that participates in Medicare and accepts Medicare patients.
Medigap Helps With Medicare Cost Sharing
Your Medicare Supplement policy works alongside Original Medicare and helps with certain Medicare-approved out-of-pocket costs according to the standardized plan you selected.
Part D Handles Your Prescriptions
Your Part D plan is separate from your Medicare Supplement policy. Formularies, pharmacy networks, premiums, deductibles, and prescription costs vary by plan.
What About Dental, Vision & Hearing?
Standard Medicare Supplement policies generally do not include routine dental, vision, or hearing benefits. Separate coverage is available for people who want these benefits.
Do Not Choose Part D Based Only on the Monthly Premium
Your prescriptions matter. Compare whether your medications are covered, what they cost, which pharmacies are preferred or in-network, the plan's deductible and other cost sharing, and your estimated total annual prescription cost. Your Part D needs should be reviewed as plans and drug coverage change.
Is Medicare Supplement Right for You?
Medicare Supplement insurance offers a different approach to Medicare coverage. Whether it fits you depends on your healthcare needs, budget, travel, and personal preferences.
Medigap May Be Worth Exploring If You Value...
Broad Provider Access
You generally have access to doctors and hospitals nationwide that participate in Medicare and accept Medicare patients.
More Predictable Healthcare Costs
Depending on the Medigap plan you select, coverage helps reduce certain deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left by Original Medicare.
Less Dependence on Provider Networks
Standard Medigap coverage works with Original Medicare rather than a Medicare Advantage provider network.
Frequent U.S. Travel
Original Medicare and Medigap can work well for people who travel because Medicare-participating providers are available throughout the United States.
Choosing Your Own Part D Plan
You choose prescription drug coverage separately, allowing you to compare Part D plans based on your prescriptions and preferred pharmacies.
Things to Consider Before Choosing Medigap
A Separate Monthly Premium
Medicare Supplement policies charge their own monthly premium in addition to the Medicare premiums you are responsible for.
You Still Pay Your Part B Premium
A Medicare Supplement policy does not replace your Medicare Part B premium. You remain enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.
Part D Is Separate
Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. You generally select a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Additional Benefits Are Usually Separate
Routine dental, vision, hearing, and other supplemental benefits generally require separate coverage.
Changing Coverage Later Matters
Outside certain enrollment periods or guaranteed-issue situations, applying for a different Medigap policy later may involve medical underwriting, depending on applicable federal and state protections.
Your Initial Medigap Enrollment Decision Matters
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts for six months and begins the first month you have Medicare Part B and are age 65 or older. During this period, insurance companies generally cannot use medical underwriting to deny you a Medigap policy or charge you more because of health problems. After this enrollment period ends, your ability to buy or change Medigap coverage may depend on your circumstances and applicable federal or state protections.
Compare the Coverage, Not Just the Premium
Consider your doctors, prescriptions, expected healthcare use, travel, monthly budget, potential out-of-pocket costs, and how much flexibility you want before deciding which Medicare path fits your priorities.
Medicare Supplement FAQs
Here are answers to some of the most common questions people have when considering Medicare Supplement insurance.
No. Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage is another way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private insurance company approved by Medicare.
Medigap policies sold today do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription coverage, you generally choose a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Original Medicare generally does not require a referral to see a specialist. With Medigap, you generally have access to Medicare-participating providers nationwide, although you should confirm that the provider participates in Medicare and is accepting Medicare patients.
It may. Medicare Supplement premiums can change over time. The amount and reason for an increase depend on factors such as the insurance company's pricing method, approved rate changes, your location, discounts, and other factors permitted under applicable rules.
You may apply for another Medigap policy later, but you do not always have the same enrollment protections you had during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Depending on your situation and applicable federal or state protections, an insurance company may use medical underwriting when you apply.
Within the United States, Original Medicare generally allows you to use Medicare-participating providers nationwide. Some standardized Medigap plans also provide limited coverage for qualifying emergency healthcare received during foreign travel, subject to the plan's rules and limits.
Still Have Questions?
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, but premiums, insurance companies, discounts, underwriting requirements, and your ability to change coverage can differ. Your Medicare Blueprint review looks at your situation before comparing your options.
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Your Medicare decision is personal. We help you compare your options based on the things that matter most to you.
We’ll review the Medicare options available to you, answer your questions, and help you make an informed decision.
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