Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help fill the gaps left by Original Medicare—covering deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that could otherwise add up quickly. Here's what you need to know about Medigap coverage in 2025-2026.
Are you enrolled in Original Medicare? Are you considering additional coverage to help manage your healthcare costs?
Medicare Supplement plans—also known as Medigap—are designed to fill the gaps in traditional Medicare coverage. These private insurance policies complement your Medicare Part A and Part B, helping protect you from high out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Supplement enrollment has grown steadily over the years. According to AHIP research, the share of fee-for-service (Original Medicare) enrollees with Medigap coverage increased from 38% in 2018 to nearly 42% in 2023. More than 14.5 million people now have Medigap policies.
Among fee-for-service Medicare enrollees without other supplemental coverage (such as employer insurance, Medicaid, or VA benefits), 56% chose a Medicare Supplement plan—showing just how many seniors rely on Medigap to manage their healthcare costs.
Why the strong preference for Medigap?
Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum: Unlike most health insurance, Medicare Parts A and B have no cap on what you could pay. Your 20% coinsurance could add up to tens of thousands of dollars for serious illness or injury.
Financial protection: Research shows that Medicare enrollees without a Supplement plan are three times more likely to have trouble paying their medical bills than those with Medigap coverage.
Freedom of choice: With Medigap, you can see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare—anywhere in the country—without network restrictions or referrals.
Predictable costs: Medigap helps you budget for healthcare expenses by covering much of your cost-sharing, so you're not surprised by large bills.
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized (except in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), meaning each plan type—identified by letters A through N—offers the same benefits regardless of which insurance company sells it. This makes comparing plans straightforward.
Depending on the plan you choose, Medigap can cover:
Medicare Part A hospital deductible: $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 (up from $1,676 in 2025)
Medicare Part B deductible: $283 per year in 2026 ($257 in 2025)—only covered by Plans C and F, which are no longer available to those newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs: Coverage for hospital stays beyond 60 days, plus an extra 365 lifetime reserve days
Part B coinsurance or copayments: The 20% you'd otherwise pay for doctor visits, outpatient services, and medical equipment
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance: $217 per day in 2026 ($209.50 in 2025) for days 21-100
Blood: The first 3 pints of blood are needed for medical procedures
Part B excess charges: When providers charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount (covered by Plans F and G)
Foreign travel emergency care: 80% coverage for emergency care when traveling outside the U.S. (up to plan limits)—something Original Medicare doesn't cover
Hospice care coinsurance: Coinsurance or copayments for hospice care under Part A
Important: Medicare Supplement plans don't cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or prescription drugs. If you need drug coverage with Original Medicare, you'll need a separate Part D plan. Our local agents can help you find the right combination of coverage.
Plan G: The Most Popular Choice
Plan G is now the most popular Medigap plan, with 39% of all policyholders (nearly 5.3 million people) enrolled as of 2023. Plan G enrollment has grown significantly—increasing 8% in 2022 alone, adding 343,000 new members.
Why Plan G is popular: It covers nearly all Medicare cost-sharing—everything except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Once you pay that small annual deductible, you have virtually no out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. Plan G also covers Part B excess charges, protecting you if a doctor charges more than the Medicare-approved amount.
High-Deductible Plan G: A lower-premium option is available. You pay a deductible of $2,950 in 2026 ($2,870 in 2025) before the plan covers your costs.
Plan F: Still Popular Among Those Eligible
Plan F was the most popular Medigap plan for years and still accounts for 36% of enrollees (about 4.9 million people). However, Plan F is no longer available to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Why Plan F was popular: It covers everything Plan G covers, plus the Part B deductible—meaning zero out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, you may still be able to enroll in Plan F.
Plan N: A Budget-Friendly Option
Plan N is the third most popular Medigap plan, covering about 10% of policyholders. It typically has lower premiums than Plan G or F in exchange for some cost-sharing.
How Plan N differs: You may pay up to $20 for some doctor office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in hospital admission. Plan N also doesn't cover Part B excess charges.
According to research on Medigap enrollees:
About 57% of Medigap policyholders are women
Approximately 40% are over age 75
About 24% have annual household incomes below $30,000
Medigap enrollment varies significantly by state—from 9% of traditional Medicare beneficiaries in Hawaii to 67% in Iowa
Surveys show that Medigap policyholders value their coverage highly. The vast majority report satisfaction with their plan choice and peace of mind knowing they can see any Medicare-accepting doctor without worrying about large out-of-pocket costs.
Guaranteed renewable: Your Medigap policy cannot be canceled as long as you pay your premiums—you won't lose coverage or benefits year to year.
Standardized benefits: Because plans are standardized by letter, you know exactly what you're getting, making it easier to compare prices across insurance companies.
No network restrictions: See any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the U.S., without referrals.
No prior authorization: Unlike many Medicare Advantage plans, Medigap doesn't require prior approval for Medicare-covered services.
Travel protection: Many plans cover emergency care abroad—something Original Medicare doesn't provide.
The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This window begins the first month you're both age 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B.
During this period:
You have guaranteed issue rights—insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions
You can enroll in any Medigap plan sold in your state
Pre-existing conditions cannot be used to deny coverage or increase your premium
After this window closes, Insurers may use medical underwriting. This means they can ask health questions, deny coverage, or charge higher premiums based on your health status. This is why enrolling during your Open Enrollment Period is so important.
Note: There is no annual open enrollment period for Medigap, unlike for Medicare Advantage. Your 6-month window when you turn 65 is typically your best (and sometimes only) opportunity to get coverage without health questions.
Several laws have shaped Medicare Supplement coverage over the years:
2003 – Medicare Modernization Act: Eliminated prescription drug benefits from Medigap coverage (prescription drugs are now covered under Medicare Part D). Also introduced Plans K and L with cost-sharing features.
2020 – MACRA Implementation: Stopped the sale of Medigap Plans C and F (which cover the Part B deductible) to people newly eligible for Medicare. Those eligible before January 1, 2020, can still purchase these plans.
Because of these changes and the complexity of different plan types, we recommend speaking with a specialized Medicare agent before enrolling in a Medigap plan.
Understanding the costs Medigap can help cover:
Part B premium: $185/month in 2025, $202.90/month in 2026 (you pay this regardless of having Medigap)
Part B deductible: $257 in 2025, $283 in 2026 (covered by Plans C and F; others require you to pay it)
Part A hospital deductible: $1,676 in 2025, $1,736 in 2026 per benefit period
Hospital coinsurance (days 61-90): $419/day in 2025, $434/day in 2026
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21-100): $209.50/day in 2025, $217/day in 2026
High-deductible Medigap Plans F and G: $2,870 deductible in 2025, $2,950 in 2026
Average Medigap premium: Approximately $217/month ($2,604/year) among current policyholders, though premiums vary by plan type, location, age, and insurer
Medicare Supplement plans offer valuable protection for seniors—helping manage healthcare expenses while providing peace of mind and freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider.
With healthcare costs continuing to rise, Medigap can help you budget your expenses without compromising your healthcare. If you're enrolled in Original Medicare, consider speaking with one of our local North Carolina Medicare agents to discuss your options. We can help you:
Compare Medigap plans and premiums from multiple insurers
Determine which plan type best fits your healthcare needs and budget
Understand your Medigap Open Enrollment Period and guaranteed issue rights
Find a Part D prescription drug plan to complement your Medigap coverage
Ensure you have the coverage you need
