Comparing the Best Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, fill the gaps in Original Medicare by covering copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. The best plan for you depends on your budget, how often you see doctors, and whether you travel. Plan G offers the most comprehensive coverage after the Part B deductible, Plan N balances lower premiums with modest out-of-pocket costs, and Plan F remains available only to those who enrolled before 2020. This guide walks through the trade-offs so you can choose with confidence.
- Comparing the Best Medicare Supplement Plans
- What Medicare Supplement Plans Cover
- Plan G: The Most Popular Choice
- Plan N: Lower Premium, More Out-of-Pocket
- Plan F: Grandfathered but No Longer Sold
- High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G
- How to Choose the Best Plan for You
- Understanding Medigap Pricing
- When to Enroll
- Common Mistakes to Avoid
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What Medicare Supplement Plans Cover
Medigap policies standardize benefits by letter, meaning a Plan G from one insurer covers the same core benefits as a Plan G from another. They typically cover Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days, Part B coinsurance or copayment, and the first three pints of blood. The key differences among plans lie in what they leave you to pay, not in the quality of the coverage itself.
Plan G: The Most Popular Choice
Plan G is frequently the best Medicare supplement plan for people who want predictable costs. It covers everything Plan F does except the Part B deductible, which was $240 in 2024. You pay that deductible once per year, and then have no further cost-sharing for Medicare-approved services. The trade-off is a higher monthly premium than plans with gaps, but it avoids surprise bills.
Plan N: Lower Premium, More Out-of-Pocket
Plan N reduces your monthly premium by requiring copayments for office visits and emergency room trips, and it does not cover the Part B deductible. If you see your doctor rarely and rarely use emergency care, Plan N can save you money overall. If you see providers often or have ongoing health needs, the copayments can add up faster than the premium savings.
Plan F: Grandfathered but No Longer Sold
Plan F was the most generous Medigap plan, covering the Part B deductible with no copayments. However, since 2020, new Medicare enrollees can no longer purchase Plan F. If you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, you may still be able to buy or keep it. For everyone else, Plan G is the closest equivalent.
High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G
Both Plan F and Plan G come in high-deductible versions. You pay the full deductible out of pocket before the plan begins paying. These versions have lower monthly premiums and can make sense for healthy people who rarely use medical services, but they require you to absorb significant costs if you do need care.
How to Choose the Best Plan for You
Start by comparing the total annual cost, not just the monthly premium. Add the premium, the deductible you would owe, and any copayments you expect to pay. Then compare that total across plans. If you travel frequently, check whether the plan covers care received abroad, since only a few Medigap policies include foreign travel emergency coverage.
| Plan | Part B Deductible | Copayments | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Not covered | None after deductible | People who want predictable, comprehensive coverage |
| Plan N | Not covered | Office copay, ER copay (waived if admitted) | People who want lower premiums and use care infrequently |
| Plan F (grandfathered only) | Covered | None | Those eligible before 2020 who want maximum coverage |
| High-Deductible Plan G | Not covered | None after deductible | Healthy people willing to pay a large deductible for lower premiums |
Understanding Medigap Pricing
Insurers price Medigap policies in three ways: community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated. Community-rated premiums do not change with your age. Issue-age-rated premiums are based on the age you were when you first bought the policy. Attained-age-rated premiums increase as you get older. The pricing method can significantly affect how much you pay over time, so it is worth asking agents for quotes using the same plan letter from multiple companies.
When to Enroll
Your best window to buy a Medigap policy is the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to health history. If you wait, you may face medical underwriting or higher premiums.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not assume all Plan G policies cost the same. Premiums can vary by hundreds of dollars a year between insurers for identical benefits. Also, do not confuse Medicare Advantage plans with Medigap. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare, while Medigap works alongside it. If you switch from one to the other, your Medigap policy may not follow you.
The best Medicare supplement plan is the one that aligns your expected healthcare usage with what you can comfortably afford. Compare the annual cost, check the insurer's claims process and customer satisfaction ratings, and choose the plan that gives you the most predictable coverage for your situation.