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Medicare & Medigap

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans: Complete 2026 Guide

NHQC Editorial Team · Last updated April 14, 2026

Medicare Supplement Insurance — "Medigap" — is private coverage that pays some or all of the gaps in Original Medicare: the 20% Part B coinsurance, the Part A hospital deductible, skilled-nursing copays, and foreign travel emergency costs.

BenefitPlan GPlan NPlan F*Plan K
Part A coinsurance100%100%100%100%
Part B coinsurance100%100%**100%50%
Part B deductibleNoNoYesNo
Foreign travel emergency80%80%80%No

*Plan F closed to new enrollees who became Medicare-eligible on or after Jan 1, 2020. **Plan N requires copays up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits not resulting in admission.

Plan G covers every benefit Original Medicare does not, except the annual Part B deductible ($240 in 2024). For that reason it delivers the lowest lifetime out-of-pocket exposure short of the closed Plan F.

Plan N averages 20–30% lower monthly premiums than Plan G. In exchange, you pay up to $20 per office visit and $50 per ER visit (waived if admitted), and Plan N does not cover Part B "excess charges" from non-participating providers.

Your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the month you are 65+ AND enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot decline you or charge more because of health status.

  • Community-rated — same premium for all enrollees (best long-term value)
  • Issue-age-rated — based on age at purchase
  • Attained-age-rated — rises as you age (most common, cheapest at 65, costliest at 85)

Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical, legal, or financial advice. NHQualityCampaign.org is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Plan G or Plan N better?+
Plan G has higher premiums but no copays; Plan N has lower premiums but charges up to $20/office visit and $50/ER. For people who see doctors frequently, Plan G usually wins; for light utilizers, Plan N saves money.
Is Plan F still available?+
Only to people who were Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. New enrollees choose Plan G instead, which has identical coverage except for the $240 Part B deductible.
Do Medigap plans cover prescription drugs?+
No. Medigap plans sold today do not include drug coverage. Buy a separate Part D plan to avoid the late-enrollment penalty.
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage?+
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. You must disenroll from Advantage before a Medigap policy can pay.
Are Medigap plans the same in every state?+
Plan letters are federally standardized, but Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own versions.

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