Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement Plans Explained
Original Medicare covers a lot — but not everything. A Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan fills the gaps so you're never caught off guard by unexpected medical bills.
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Medicare Supplement insurance — also called Medigap — works alongside your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover costs that Medicare doesn't pay, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government. That means a Plan G from one carrier offers the exact same benefits as a Plan G from any other carrier — the only difference is the monthly premium.
The Most Common Medigap Plans
Most seniors choose from these four plans. Each offers a different balance of coverage and cost.
Plan G
The most comprehensive plan available to new Medicare enrollees. Covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible.
What it covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance & costs
- Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
Not covered
- Medicare Part B annual deductible ($257 in 2026)
Best for
Seniors who want maximum coverage and predictable out-of-pocket costs.
Plan N
Strong coverage at a lower monthly premium. You pay small copays at doctor and ER visits in exchange for reduced premiums.
What it covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance & costs
- Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B coinsurance (with copays)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
Not covered
- Medicare Part B annual deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Up to $20 copay for office visits
- Up to $50 copay for ER visits (waived if admitted)
Best for
Healthy seniors who visit the doctor infrequently and want to save on monthly premiums.
Plan F
The most comprehensive plan ever offered — covers 100% of approved Medicare costs including the Part B deductible. Only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
What it covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance & costs
- Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B coinsurance or copayment
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
Best for
Those eligible for Medicare before 2020 who want zero out-of-pocket costs for covered services.
High-Deductible Plan G
Same benefits as Plan G but with a high deductible ($2,870 in 2026) in exchange for significantly lower monthly premiums.
What it covers
- All Plan G benefits after deductible is met
- Foreign travel emergency (80%)
Not covered
- Costs until the $2,870 annual deductible is met
Best for
Seniors in good health who want a safety net for catastrophic costs while keeping premiums low.
Side-by-Side Plan Comparison
All standardized Medigap plans offer the same benefits regardless of which insurance company sells them.
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N | Plan F | HD Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs | * | |||
| Part A deductible | * | |||
| Part A hospice coinsurance | * | |||
| Part B coinsurance/copayment | Copay | * | ||
| Part B deductible | ||||
| Part B excess charges | * | |||
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | * | |||
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80%* |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | * |
* High-Deductible Plan G covers these benefits after the annual deductible ($2,870 in 2026) is met.
Still have questions?
Our licensed advisors are happy to walk you through your options at no cost. Or browse our FAQ for quick answers to common Medicare questions.
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