Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Fill the Gaps in Original Medicare

Original Medicare covers many services, but it doesn’t cover everything. On average, it pays about 80% of Medicare approved costs. That leaves you responsible for deductibles, copays, coinsurance, that can add up to thousands in out-of-pocket expenses.

Medigap plans (Medicare Supplement Insurance) are designed to cover those gaps, giving you smaller, more predictable costs and the freedom to see any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare.

Think of Medigap as your financial safety net alongside Original Medicare.

What Medigap Helps With

  • Copayments and coinsurance

  • Deductibles for Part A and/or Part B

  • Excess charges (depending on the plan)

  • Emergency foreign travel care

What Medigap Does Not Cover

  • Prescription drug coverage (Part D - must be purchased separately

  • Dental, vision, hearing care

  • Long-term custodial care

Types of Medigap Plans

(Standardized by Letter)

All Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. This means Plan G is the same whether you buy it from Carrier A or Carrier B. The only difference is the premium you pay.

Plan G

  • Most popular option for new enrollees.

  • Covers almost everything except the Part B deductible.

    • Great balance of coverage and value

Plan N

  • Lower monthly premiums than Plan G

  • Small copays for office visits and ER. Doesn’t cover Part B excess charges

    • Good if you want to save on premium and don’t mind occasional small bills.

Plan F

  • Covers everything, including the Part B deductible.

  • Only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

    • The “all-inclusive” option for those grandfathered in.

Cost Example

Plan G:

  • $140/month premium

  • Nearly all medical costs covered

  • Only responsible for Part B deductible

Plan N:

  • $110/month premium

  • Lower monthly cost

  • $20 copay for doctor visits, $50 for ER, plus any excess charges

Who Medigap Is Good For

  • You want freedom to see any doctor nationwide that accepts Medicare

  • You want predictable costs and protection from big medical bills

  • You travel frequently or spend time in multiple states

  • You prefer pairing Medigap with a separate Part D plan for flexibility

Not always best fit if

  • You’re looking for the lowest cost option (Medicare Advantage may be cheaper month to month).

  • You’re comfortable staying within a provider network.

  • You want extras like dental, vision, or gym memberships included in one plan.

Enrollment & Eligibility

  • During your Initial Enrollment Period, can enroll in a Medigap plan with guaranteed acceptance, no medical underwriting.

  • After that window, you may have to answer health questions and could be denied based on medical history (rules vary by state).

Key Takeaways

  • Medigap fills the financial gaps Original Medicare leaves behind.

  • Plans are standardized. Meaning, a Plan G with Carrier A is identical to a Plan G with Carrier B (only premiums differ).

  • You choose your doctors and hospitals, with nationwide coverage.

Next Steps.

Compare Medigap plans side by side, for free, with one of our licensed advisors through our Medicare Audit™️.

See which letter plan (and carrier) is the right fit for you.

COMPARE MY PLAN AND CARRIER OPTIONS

Medicare Supplement FAQs

  • Medicare Supplement, aka Medigap, policies fill the “gaps” in Original Medicare. Helping with things like copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

  • Plan G is currently the most popular option for new Medicare enrollees, as it covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible.

  • Yes, but outside of your Initial Enrollment Period, you may face medical underwriting. That’s why enrolling during your guaranteed issue window is important.

  • It depends. Medicare Supplement usually has higher premiums but gives you nationwide provider freedom and predictable costs. Medicare Advantage has lower premiums but may come with network restrictions and more out-of-pocket variability.

  • Premiums vary by age, gender, state, and the standardized plan letter (A-N). Generally, the more comprehensive the coverage, the higher the premium.

  • Yes. Medicare Supplement is widely accepted nationwide by any provider that takes Medicare.