Comparing Medicare Supplement plans in 2026? Plan G and Plan N lead for most new enrollees, but the right choice depends on your health and budget. This guide compares five major Medigap plans with 2026 premiums, coverage gaps, and a quick comparison table.
By the SeniorSimple Editorial Team | Last updated: April 2026 | Reviewed annually
If you're comparing Medicare Supplement plans in 2026, Plan G and Plan N are the two strongest choices for most new enrollees — but they serve different needs. Plan G offers the most comprehensive coverage available to new Medicare beneficiaries, with one predictable gap; Plan N delivers lower monthly premiums in exchange for modest copays. We evaluated the five most relevant Medigap plans based on coverage completeness, premium cost, out-of-pocket predictability, and fit for typical retirement budgets. With major Medicare Advantage insurers pulling back from hundreds of counties for 2027, more seniors are turning to Medigap. This guide helps you find the right fit.
We evaluated each Medigap plan across four criteria:
| Criteria | Weight | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage completeness | High | Fewer gaps = fewer financial surprises |
| Monthly premium cost | High | Fixed costs matter on a retirement income |
| Out-of-pocket predictability | High | Knowing your worst-case cost is essential for planning |
| Best-fit flexibility | Medium | The right plan depends on your health and how you use care |
Data sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare.gov, AHIP State of the Medigap Market Report 2025, American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance 2025 Premium Index.
Best for: Seniors who want comprehensive coverage and predictable costs
2026 Part B Deductible (your only gap): $257/year
Typical monthly premium (age 65): $120–$180
Plan G covers everything Original Medicare doesn't — Part A hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, foreign travel emergency (80%), and more — with one single gap: the annual Part B deductible of $257. Once you meet that deductible, Medicare and Plan G cover the rest. For most seniors, this means near-zero out-of-pocket costs for covered care for the year.
Plan G is ideal for seniors who see specialists regularly, have chronic conditions requiring ongoing care, or simply value predictability over premium savings. It's also the right choice if you live in a state where doctors can bill Part B excess charges (about 5% above the Medicare-approved amount), since Plan G is one of the few plans that covers those charges.
Best for: Relatively healthy seniors who want solid coverage at a lower premium
Typical monthly premium (age 65): $90–$140
Copays: $20 per office visit, $50 per emergency room visit (waived if admitted)
Plan N covers the same core gaps as Plan G — hospital costs, skilled nursing, foreign travel emergency — with two differences: it does not cover Part B excess charges, and it requires small copays for office and ER visits. For seniors who use healthcare moderately, the premium savings ($30–$50/month or more) can outweigh the occasional copay.
Plan N suits healthy, active seniors who visit the doctor a few times a year and whose providers all accept Medicare assignment. Check your current doctors' billing practices before enrolling — if they accept "Medicare assignment," excess charges are a non-issue and Plan N becomes very compelling. For more on how Original Medicare works alongside Medigap, see our Medicare Supplement Insurance Explained guide.
Best for: Healthy seniors who want catastrophic protection at minimal monthly cost
2026 deductible before benefits begin: $2,870
Typical monthly premium (age 65): $40–$70
High Deductible Plan G provides the same comprehensive coverage as standard Plan G — but only after you meet a $2,870 annual deductible. In exchange, monthly premiums can be less than half those of standard Plan G. For seniors who rarely use healthcare, this creates a low-cost safety net against serious illness or hospitalization.
Plan G-HD is the right fit for seniors in excellent health who have sufficient savings to self-fund the $2,870 deductible if needed. If you're 65, healthy, and want to keep monthly fixed costs as low as possible, the math can work strongly in your favor — just make sure the savings account to cover the deductible is actually in place.
Best for: Seniors with very low expected healthcare use who want the cheapest Medigap option
2026 out-of-pocket limit: ~$7,220
Typical monthly premium (age 65): $50–$80
Plan K covers 50% of several key gaps — Part A coinsurance, hospice, skilled nursing, and the Part A deductible — instead of 100%. It covers the Part B deductible at 50%. Once you hit the annual out-of-pocket limit ($7,220 in 2026), it covers 100% for the rest of the year. The trade-off: very low premiums, but meaningful cost-sharing until you hit the cap.
Plan K can work for seniors in excellent health who rarely use covered services. However, for most retirees, the $7,220 potential annual exposure makes Plan G or Plan N a better long-term financial value. Use our Medicare Cost Calculator to model your actual exposure under each plan.
Best for: Seniors who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020 and want zero gaps
Your gap: $0 — Plan F covers the Part B deductible
Typical monthly premium (existing enrollee, age 65–70): $150–$220
Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees, but if you were Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020 and enrolled, you can keep it. Plan F is the only Medigap plan with zero out-of-pocket costs for covered Medicare services — it covers the $257 Part B deductible that Plan G leaves to you. The downside: Plan F premiums tend to rise faster over time as the enrollee pool ages.
If you're already enrolled in Plan F and your premium is competitive, staying put is often reasonable — especially with significant ongoing healthcare costs. For those considering a switch, Plan G almost always provides better long-term dollar-for-dollar value. See our Medicare Plans Comparison 2026 for a broader look at all Medicare options.
| Plan | Typical Monthly Premium* | Part B Deductible | Excess Charges Covered | Annual Out-of-Pocket Cap | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | $120–$180 | You pay $257 | Yes | ~$257 | Comprehensive coverage |
| Plan N | $90–$140 | You pay $257 | No | Variable (copays apply) | Cost-conscious, healthy seniors |
| HD Plan G | $40–$70 | You pay $257 + $2,870 deductible | Yes (after deductible) | $2,870 | Very healthy, budget-focused |
| Plan K | $50–$80 | You pay 50% | No | ~$7,220 | Minimal healthcare users |
| Plan F | $150–$220 | Fully covered | Yes | ~$0 | Pre-2020 enrollees only |
*Typical premiums for a 65-year-old female non-smoker. Actual rates vary by state, carrier, age, gender, and tobacco use. Request quotes from multiple carriers before enrolling.
This guide draws on CMS 2026 benefit structure documentation, Medicare.gov standardized plan comparison charts, the American Association for Medicare Supplement Insurance 2025 Premium Index, and AHIP's State of the Medigap Market Report 2025. We analyzed all lettered Medigap plan benefit structures using the federal standardized benefit chart, cross-referenced premium ranges with multi-carrier quote data, and excluded discontinued or rarely-offered plans from primary recommendations. Last updated: April 2026. We review this guide each fall when CMS announces updated Part B deductibles and HD plan thresholds for the coming year.
Plan G and Plan N both cover most Medicare gaps, but Plan N has lower monthly premiums and requires small copays — $20 for office visits, $50 for ER visits — and does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan G costs more each month but has no copays and covers excess charges. Plan G offers better predictability; Plan N offers better value for healthy seniors whose doctors accept Medicare assignment.
High Deductible Plan G typically has the lowest monthly premium of any comprehensive Medigap plan — often $40–$70 per month for new enrollees at age 65. The trade-off is a $2,870 annual deductible you must meet before any Plan G benefits kick in.
Outside of your initial open enrollment period — the six months after you first enroll in Medicare Part B at age 65 or older — switching Medigap plans generally requires medical underwriting in most states. You can be charged higher premiums or denied based on health history. New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut have special guaranteed issue protections.
If you're already enrolled in Plan F and your premium is competitive, keeping it is often reasonable for high-utilization seniors. But Plan F premiums tend to rise faster than Plan G as its enrollment pool ages. If your Plan F premium is significantly higher than comparable Plan G coverage, switching (if you can pass underwriting) may save money long-term.
Major insurers including Humana and UnitedHealthcare are reducing their Medicare Advantage footprints in hundreds of counties effective 2027. Seniors affected by these exits are turning to Original Medicare plus a Medigap plan, which works nationwide with any Medicare-accepting provider regardless of insurer network decisions.
No. Medigap plans do not cover prescription drugs. You'll need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan when enrolled in Original Medicare plus a Medigap supplement.
Yes. Medigap plans work with any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Original Medicare — there are no network restrictions. This nationwide flexibility is one of the primary advantages over Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans.
Medicare-participating doctors accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. Excess charges occur when a non-participating provider bills up to 15% above that approved amount. Plans G and F cover these charges; Plan N does not. Most doctors accept Medicare assignment, but if you regularly see specialists at academic medical centers or in states with higher rates of non-assignment, this coverage matters.
Your Medigap open enrollment period begins the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts six months. During this window, no insurer can charge more or deny coverage based on health status. Missing this window means underwriting applies in most states — making it significantly harder and more expensive to get comprehensive coverage if you have health conditions.
Medicare Advantage plans often advertise $0 premiums, but carry annual out-of-pocket maximums of $4,000–$8,000 or more for in-network care. Medigap Plan G may cost $1,440–$2,160/year in premiums but caps your total exposure near $257. For seniors with chronic conditions or high healthcare use, Medigap frequently wins on total annual cost. See our full Medicare Plans Comparison 2026 for side-by-side analysis.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance, financial, or legal advice. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) premiums, benefits, and availability vary by state, insurer, age, gender, and health status. The figures in this guide reflect 2026 CMS-published benefit structures and estimated premium ranges — actual quotes from insurers may differ. Plan F is not available to individuals who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Consult a licensed Medicare insurance broker or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before enrolling in any plan. Some links on this page may be affiliate links; this does not influence our rankings or editorial recommendations — our methodology is described above.
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