Medicare Supplement · Medigap
Medigap: fewer surprise bills with Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement insurance helps pay the deductibles, coinsurance and copays Original Medicare leaves to you. Use any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, with no network and no referrals.
- Any doctor that accepts Medicare
- Standardized lettered plans
- Pairs with a Part D plan
The basics
How Medigap works
Original Medicare pays a large share of your covered care, but not all of it. After the Part B deductible, you generally pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount, with no yearly limit.
A Medigap policy pays some or all of those leftover costs. Medicare pays first, then your Medigap plan pays its share.
Plans are standardized by letter, so Plan G from one insurer has the same medical benefits as Plan G from another. Price and service are what differ.
Medigap doesn’t include prescription drug coverage, so most people pair it with a stand-alone Part D plan.
Side by side
Popular Medigap plans compared
What each plan pays after Original Medicare pays its share.
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N | Plan F* | High-deductible G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance and costs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance (your 20%) | Yes | Yes, except up to $20 office and $50 ER copays | Yes | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No | Yes | No |
| Part B excess charges | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% |
*Plan F (and Plan C) can only be bought by people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. High-deductible Plan G pays the same benefits as Plan G after you meet its yearly deductible.
Examples, not recommendations.
Good to know in New York
New York requires Medigap insurers to accept applicants year-round, whatever their health, and premiums don’t vary by age or health. In most other states, your best time to buy is your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when insurers can’t turn you down.
Timing
When to buy a Medigap policy
- 6 months
Medigap Open Enrollment
Starts the month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Insurers can’t deny you or charge more because of your health.
- After certain events
Guaranteed issue rights
Events such as your Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area, or losing employer coverage, can give you the right to buy certain Medigap plans.
- Any time in New York
Year-round in New York
New York requires insurers to accept applicants all year, with community-rated premiums.
Is it right for you?
When Medigap tends to fit
May fit well if you…
- Want to keep any doctor who accepts Medicare
- Travel or split time between states
- Prefer a predictable premium over copays
- See specialists often
Think twice if you…
- Find a monthly premium hard to fit in your budget
- Want dental, vision and hearing extras in one plan
- Live outside New York and may face health questions after your open window
- Want one card instead of separate Medigap and Part D plans
Examples, not recommendations. The right choice depends on your doctors, prescriptions, health and budget.
FAQ
Common questions
What’s the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Both cover most of what Original Medicare doesn’t. Plan G pays Part B excess charges and has no copays once you meet the Part B deductible. Plan N usually costs less each month, but you may pay up to $20 for some office visits, up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t lead to an admission, and any Part B excess charges.
Can I still get Plan F?
Only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. People new to Medicare since then can choose Plan G, which covers the same benefits except the Part B deductible.
Does Medigap cover prescriptions?
No. Medigap plans sold today don’t include drug coverage. Most people add a stand-alone Part D plan.
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time?
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It’s illegal for anyone to sell you a Medigap policy if they know you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, unless you’re switching back to Original Medicare.
Do Medigap premiums go up?
They can. Premiums may change each year. In New York, premiums are community-rated, so they don’t depend on your age or health.
Compare Medigap prices side by side.
Same letter, same benefits, different prices. We’ll show you the difference.