Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans 2026: Plan G, N & F Compared
Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans 2026: Complete Comparison
Original Medicare covers approximately 80% of approved medical costs. The remaining 20% — with no out-of-pocket maximum — can accumulate to catastrophic levels for seniors with serious medical needs. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance fills these gaps with predictable, capped costs.
This guide compares the most popular Medigap plan types, the leading insurance companies offering them, and how to decide between Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
The Most Popular Medigap Plans in 2026
| Plan | Monthly Premium* | Part A Deductible | Part B Coinsurance | Part B Deductible | Foreign Travel | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | $100–$250 | 100% covered | 100% covered | Not covered | 80% | Comprehensive coverage (new enrollees) |
| Plan N | $80–$200 | 100% covered | 100% covered (with copays) | Not covered | 80% | Lower premium, low utilizer |
| Plan F | $120–$300 | 100% covered | 100% covered | 100% covered | 80% | Pre-2020 enrollees only |
| Plan G (High Deductible) | $35–$80 | After $2,800 deductible | After deductible | Not covered | 80% | Healthy, low-utilizer |
| Plan K | $50–$120 | 50% covered | 50% covered | Not covered | No | Budget; has OOP cap |
| Plan L | $70–$150 | 75% covered | 75% covered | Not covered | No | Mid-tier budget |
*Monthly premiums vary significantly by state, age, and tobacco use status. These are illustrative national averages.
Critical note on Plan F: Medicare Supplement Plan F — once the most popular Medigap plan — is no longer available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you enrolled before 2020, you may still hold or enroll in Plan F.
Plan G: The Best Medigap Plan for New Enrollees
For anyone who became Medicare-eligible in 2020 or later, Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap option available. It covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B annual deductible ($257 in 2026).
What Plan G covers:
- Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits end
- Medicare Part A deductible ($1,632 per benefit period in 2026)
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Medicare Part B coinsurance/copayment (after you pay the Part B deductible)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to plan limits)
Why Plan G is the smart choice: The only gap is the Part B deductible ($257/year). In exchange, Plan G premiums are typically $20–$60 lower per month than Plan F — often making Plan G mathematically better even accounting for the deductible.
Annual break-even calculation: If Plan F costs $50/month more than Plan G, you pay $600 more in premiums annually to avoid the $257 deductible. Plan G wins by $343/year.
Plan N: The Best Medigap Plan for Budget-Conscious, Low-Utilizers
Plan N covers the same major benefits as Plan G but introduces cost-sharing through:
- $20 copay for office visits (not applicable for preventive care)
- $50 copay for emergency room visits that don’t result in hospital admission
- Excess charges: Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges (when providers charge above Medicare rates — avoidable by using assignment-accepting providers)
When Plan N makes sense: If you are in good health and visit the doctor infrequently, Plan N’s lower premium may save you more annually than the copays cost you. Run a break-even analysis: if Plan N is $50/month cheaper and you have 8 office visits per year ($160 in copays), you save $440/year net.
High-Deductible Plan G: Best for Healthy, High-Income Seniors
High-Deductible Plan G provides the same coverage as standard Plan G after a $2,800 annual deductible (2026 figure, indexed annually). In exchange, premiums are as low as $35–$80/month in many states.
Best suited for: Seniors who are currently healthy, have adequate liquid savings to absorb the deductible in a bad year, and prefer to self-insure against routine costs while protecting against catastrophic expenses.
Top Medigap Insurance Companies 2026
| Company | AM Best Rating | Notable Strengths | Household Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | A (Excellent) | Largest Medigap insurer; community-rated in many states | Yes |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ (Superior) | Competitive pricing; strong in attained-age states | Yes (7%) |
| Cigna | A (Excellent) | Competitive initial premiums; broad plan availability | Yes |
| Humana | A- (Excellent) | Multi-plan options; Silver Sneakers included | Yes |
| Aetna | A (Excellent) | Strong in community-rated states; digital tools | Yes |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield (local) | Varies | Strong local reputation; varies significantly by region | Varies |
Rating methodology note: AM Best ratings reflect financial strength and claims-paying ability. Choose a carrier with A- or better.
Medigap vs Medicare Advantage: How to Choose
| Factor | Medigap | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Cost structure | Higher premium, minimal out-of-pocket at point of care | Lower/no premium, higher copays at point of care |
| Network | Any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide | Usually restricted network (HMO or PPO) |
| Drug coverage | Requires separate Part D plan | Usually bundled |
| Extra benefits | None standard | Often includes dental, vision, hearing, gym |
| Out-of-pocket max | No OOP maximum with Plan N; caps with Plans K/L | Federally mandated OOP cap (~$8,550 in 2026) |
| Best for | Frequent travelers; complex medical needs; values choice | Healthy seniors; lower income; prefers bundled benefits |
Key insight: Medigap offers freedom of provider choice and predictable costs. Medicare Advantage offers supplemental benefits and lower premiums but with network restrictions. Neither is universally superior — it depends on your health status, income, and geographic flexibility.
| For state-specific Medicare Advantage options that may supplement or replace Medigap, see: Medicare Advantage Plans in Texas | Florida | California |
Medigap Enrollment Rules
Guaranteed issue period: You have an absolute right to purchase any Medigap plan (regardless of health status, with no medical underwriting) during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period — which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B.
After guaranteed issue: Outside the open enrollment period, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting to deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history.
Key exception: About 12 states (including California, New York, and Connecticut) mandate guaranteed issue year-round, regardless of age.
How Much Does Medigap Cost Over a Lifetime?
A 65-year-old enrolling in Plan G at $150/month will pay $1,800/year in premiums. Over 20 years (to age 85), that’s $36,000 in base premiums — before annual premium increases.
Compare this to an average senior’s hospital cost without supplemental coverage, and the actuarial math typically favors Medigap for anyone with above-average utilization.
To model how $150/month in Medigap premiums affects your retirement savings runway over 20 years, use our Compound Interest and Savings Goal Calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage? No. Medigap supplements Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medigap coverage is not applicable.
Does Medigap cover dental, vision, and hearing? Standard Medigap plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing. These are supplemental benefits commonly found in Medicare Advantage plans, not Medigap.
Are Medigap premiums tax-deductible? Yes, Medigap premiums count as deductible medical expenses to the extent your total medical expenses exceed 7.5% of your adjusted gross income.
What happens if I move to a different state? Medigap coverage is portable — plan standardization is federal, so Plan G in Texas provides the same core benefits as Plan G in California. Premiums will differ by state.
Can I switch Medigap plans after I enroll? Yes, but outside of guaranteed issue periods you may be subject to medical underwriting. Healthy seniors can often switch to a lower-premium plan from the same or a different insurer.