Medigap Comparison Chart Explained (updated for 2024)

You can use our Medicare Supplement Insurance plans comparison chart to compare Medigap plans side by side. Easily explore benefits, and costs, and see all plans where you live using our free service.

How to Compare Medigap Plans

Use the following Medicare Supplement Plan Chart to compare the coverage offered by each lettered plan.

In all but three states (MN, WI, and MA), there are 10 standardized Medigap plans. Also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, these plans are identified by letters, including Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

When shopping for the best Medicare Supplement Insurance, the first step is to compare plan rates. This will help you get an idea of the plans you can afford.

What is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is a policy that works in conjunction with your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits to cover your out-of-pocket costs. These costs include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments you pay when you use Medicare-approved healthcare services.

Here are three things you need to know before you go shopping for a plan:

1. Medigap plans do not include additional benefits, such as prescription drug coverage. The plan you choose helps pay your out-of-pocket costs, up to the limits of the policy.
2. If a healthcare service, device, or supply is covered by Medicare Part A or Part B, your Medigap policy covers your share, up to the limits of the policy.
3. Medigap insurance is accepted by all healthcare providers that accept Medicare. You don’t need referrals or prior authorization, and coverage goes everywhere to go in the USA and its territories.

What are the Costs for Medigap Plans?

As previously mentioned, Medicare Supplement plans are standardized through federal and state laws. As a result, a Plan G policy in Arizona has exactly the same coverage as a Plan G policy in Texas.

What isn’t standardized are the rates insurance carriers are allowed to charge or the plans they offer. As a result, plans offered, carriers, and rates widely vary by zip code. This is one of the reasons we offer our free rate comparison service.

From our own research, we can tell you that the average cost of supplemental insurance for Medicare last year was $132.25 (Plan G). But an average won’t do you any good. You need to know the cost of the plan you want in your zip code.

To get current rates on the plan you want, MedicareWire needs to know your gender, age, use of tobacco, and zip code. We don’t need to know your phone number, address, Social Security number, or other personal information.

What is the Best Medigap Plan in 2024?

The best Medicare Supplement is the one that covers your unique healthcare needs, at a rate you can afford, and helps you sleep better at night knowing your healthcare is covered. That said, the most popular plans sold today are Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N.

• Medigap Plan F has more enrollees than any other plan. About 45% of all Medicare beneficiaries with Medicare Supplement coverage have a Plan F policy. The reason this plan is so popular is that it covers all Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs (see Plan F coverage chart).
• Medigap Plan G is the second most popular plan, and the most popular plan purchased by new beneficiaries. It covers all Medicare Part A and Part B out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2024).
• Medigap Plan N, the newest plan, is quickly becoming a favorite with healthy individuals. The reason comes down to affordable premiums in trade for a small copay when you see your doctor ($20) or use emergency room services ($50).

Although the three plans highlighted above are the most popular plans sold, the most important factors for you are your unique health and budgetary needs. And that’s the benefit of a Medigap policy vs. Medicare Advantage. A Medigap policy helps you cover the riskiest out-of-pocket costs, inpatient care.

We can help you find the right plan when you request a free quote.

Do All Medigap Plans Pay The Same Amount?

One of the best features of Medicare Supplement Insurance is that it works in lock-step with Medicare. So, if you choose a plan that covers the Part A deductible ($1,632 in 2024), and you are hospitalized, your Medigap plan will pay the deductible for you.

There is no wiggle room for carriers. If Medicare covers a service, your Medigap policy must cover it (up to the limits of the policy).

There are 9 standardized benefits that each plan can cover in full, in part, or not at all. These benefits include:

1. Medicare Part A Coinsurance – In most cases, your hospital costs are covered by the Part A deductible. However, if your hospital stay is longer than 60 days, you begin paying a coinsurance amount. From day 61 through 91 you pay $408 per day. On day 91 you pay $816 per day, for up to 60 more days. After that, you pay all costs.
2. Medicare Part A Deductible – Most deductibles are annual, but not Part A. This deductible is based on a benefit period. As a result, you could end up paying this deductible ($1,632 in 2024) every time you are hospitalized.
3. Part B Coinsurance or Copayment – Once you have paid your annual Part B deductible, you begin paying a 20% coinsurance with each service you receive. And, there is no maximum on these charges. All Medigap plans cover some or all of these costs.
4. Part B Deductible – Before Medicare will pay its share of your doctor and other outpatient care costs, you must pay an annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2024). A couple plans (F and C) cover this cost, but these plans are no longer available to new beneficiaries.
5. Part B Excess Charges – Not all healthcare providers accept Medicare’s standard rates. When they don’t, you receive an excess charge (up to 15%) on your bill. Both Plan F and Plan G cover these charges.
6. Part A Hospice Coinsurance and Coinsurance – Most hospice care costs are covered in full by Medicare, but not all.  You pay copays for medications you take in hospice care, and there’s a 5% charge for respite care. All Medigap plans pay some or all of these costs.
7. Skilled Nursing Care Coinsurance – If you need skilled nursing care after a stay in the hospital, there in no charge for the first 20 days. Start on the 21st day, you will pay a $204 per day coinsurance. After 101 days in the skilled nursing facility, you pay all costs. Most plans cover some or all of these costs.
8. First Three Pints of Blood – Medicare does not cover the first 3 pints of blood used in a blood transfusion. All plans cover some or all of this cost.
9. Foreign Travel Emergencies – Original Medicare covers you where ever you go in the USA and its territories, but it does not cover you abroad. Six Medigap plans cover up to 80% of medical emergencies when you travel to foreign counties.

How Do High Deductible Plans Work?

The two most popular plans, Plan F and Plan G, have a high deductible option. Once the annual deductible is met on Part A and Part B services, the plan begins working just like the standard plan.

In 2024, the deductible on these plans is $2,800 per year. That may seem like a large amount, but consider the long-term savings.

In most areas, a High Deductible Plan G policy starts at around $50 per month. For most people, the savings can be $1,000 or more per year. As a result, many savvy people put their savings away so they have it when it’s needed.

Plan K and Plan L Have Annual Limits

Another way to save money is with a Medigap plan that has an annual limit. It may sound the same as a high deductible plan, but they work differently.

Plan K and Plan L have an annual out-of-pocket limit on Part A and Part B services. Leading up to the limit you pay 50% (Plan K) or 75% (Plan L) of the covered benefits. In 2024, the spending limit on these plans is $7,060 and $3,530, respectively.

This may seem like a lot, but consider that most Medicare Advantage plans have an annual limit in excess of $5,000 per year. So, if you need a lower monthly premium, and you don’t want the restrictions of Medicare Advantage, Plan K or Plan L could be a good option.

Why Can’t I Get Plan F or Plan C?

As of January 1, 2020, new Medicare beneficiaries no longer qualify to buy Medigap Plan F or Medigap Plan C. The reason is that Congress passed a law that prevents coverage of the Part B deductible.

Why?

Simply put, Congress believes coverage of the Part B deductible is costing Medicare an excessive amount due to frivolous visits to the doctor. As a result, the most coverage available to new beneficiaries comes from Plan G.