Medicare Supplement Cost Guide 2026
Medigap plan comparison, state-by-state rates, and enrollment strategy
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance fills the "gaps" left by Original Medicare — covering deductibles, copays, and coinsurance that Medicare doesn't pay. With Medicare alone, you're exposed to 20% of all Part B costs with no out-of-pocket maximum. A $100,000 medical event could leave you owing $20,000+. Medigap plans eliminate most of that risk for $100–$200/month in premiums.
Plan Comparison (All Plans Include Same Benefits by Law)
| Plan | Avg Monthly | Part B Deductible |
|---|---|---|
| Plan A | $105 | No |
| Plan D | $118 | No |
| Plan G (most popular) | $155 | No |
| Plan G (High Deductible) | $58 | No |
| Plan N | $120 | No |
| Plan F (closed to new enrollees) | $195 | Yes |
All plans with same letter provide identical benefits regardless of insurer. Compare only premium price. *Plan G: you pay Part B deductible ($240/yr); then $0 out-of-pocket.
How Premiums Are Priced (Matters Long-Term)
Medigap Rates by State (Plan G, Age 65, Non-Smoker)
| State | Plan G Range | Plan N Range |
|---|---|---|
| California | $148–$220 | $112–$172 |
| New York | $185–$310 | $140–$240 |
| Florida | $155–$245 | $118–$190 |
| Texas | $120–$195 | $90–$150 |
| Arizona | $115–$185 | $88–$145 |
| Illinois | $130–$205 | $99–$158 |
| Pennsylvania | $140–$215 | $108–$165 |
| Georgia | $110–$180 | $84–$138 |
| Ohio | $118–$190 | $90–$146 |
| Michigan | $125–$200 | $95–$155 |
| North Carolina | $120–$192 | $92–$148 |
| Colorado | $130–$208 | $99–$160 |
| Washington | $145–$225 | $110–$175 |
| Massachusetts | $175–$290 | $132–$225 |
| Minnesota | $165–$260 | $125–$200 |
Wide ranges reflect multiple insurers offering identical coverage at different prices. Always compare 3+ quotes on the same plan letter.
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap — Which Is Right for You?
This is the most important decision new Medicare enrollees face. These are fundamentally different types of coverage:
| Factor | Medicare + Medigap | Medicare Advantage (Part C) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium (avg) | $170–$220/mo (Plan G + Part B) | $0–$50/mo above Part B |
| Annual out-of-pocket max | ~$240 (Part B deductible only) | Up to $8,850 in-network (2026) |
| Network restrictions | Any Medicare provider nationwide | Restricted network; referrals often required |
| Prior authorizations | None | Common; can delay or deny care |
| Dental / vision / hearing | Not included | Often included (limited) |
| Travel / out-of-area care | Covered anywhere in the US | Usually not covered out-of-network |
| Predictability of costs | Very high — known monthly premium | Variable — copays per service add up |
| Best for | Frequent healthcare users; travelers; those wanting maximum freedom | Healthy seniors; those wanting $0 premium; extras like dental |
Key insight: Medicare Advantage's low or $0 premium is appealing, but the $8,850 out-of-pocket maximum means a serious illness could cost you nearly $9,000 in a single year. If you have chronic conditions, see specialists regularly, or travel frequently, Medigap typically provides superior value despite the higher premium. For healthy seniors who rarely use healthcare and stay local, Medicare Advantage can work well.
Top Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies 2026
All Plan G policies offer identical coverage by law — compare only price, financial strength, and rate increase history:
| Company | AM Best Rating |
|---|---|
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | A (Excellent) |
| Mutual of Omaha | A+ (Superior) |
| Humana | A- (Excellent) |
| Cigna | A (Excellent) |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | A/A+ (varies) |
| Aetna | A (Excellent) |
Important: Do NOT choose based on brand alone. The cheapest company offering Plan G in your state on the same plan provides identical coverage. Use an independent broker who shops all carriers — they're paid by the insurer at no cost to you, and they can show you all available rates side-by-side.
What Medicare Part A and Part B Leave Uncovered
Understanding what original Medicare doesn't cover quantifies your risk without Medigap:
| Medicare Gap | Your Cost (No Medigap) | With Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible | $1,632/benefit period | $0 |
| Part A hospital days 61–90 | $408/day | $0 |
| Part A lifetime reserve days (60 days) | $816/day | $0 |
| Part B deductible (annual) | $240/year | $240 (you pay) |
| Part B coinsurance (20% of all costs) | 20% — no cap! | $0 |
| Skilled nursing (days 21–100) | $204/day | $0 |
| Foreign travel emergencies | Not covered | 80% (up to $50K) |
2026 Medicare cost-sharing figures from CMS.gov. Part B 20% coinsurance has no annual maximum under original Medicare — a $200,000 cancer treatment course could leave you owing $40,000+.
How to Switch Medicare Supplement Plans
Outside your Open Enrollment Period, switching plans typically involves medical underwriting. Here's how to do it without gaps in coverage:
- 1 Shop rates on the exact same plan letterIf you have Plan G, compare Plan G rates from multiple insurers. All Plan G plans offer identical coverage by law — you're only evaluating price and insurer stability. An independent broker can show all available rates in your zip code at once.
- 2 Apply to the new insurer and get approved firstSubmit your application to the new insurer before canceling your existing plan. If you have pre-existing conditions, you may be denied outside your Open Enrollment Period. Always wait for written approval before taking any action on your current plan.
- 3 Set new policy effective date, then cancel old planOnce approved, confirm the effective date of your new policy. Only after the new policy is active — and you have the policy number in hand — should you cancel the old plan in writing. Maintain a brief overlap (1 month) to ensure no coverage gap during any billing cycle timing issues.
- 4 Check if your state has annual guaranteed issue rightsEight states offer annual guaranteed issue protections that allow switching without medical underwriting: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Oregon, and Washington. If you live in one of these states, switching is much easier at any time of year.
What If You're Denied Coverage?
If you're denied Medigap outside your Open Enrollment Period: (1) Consider Medicare Advantage as an alternative — it has annual enrollment periods with guaranteed acceptance. (2) Check if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (loss of employer coverage, moving, etc.) — these may trigger guaranteed issue rights. (3) Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — they provide free counseling and may know of state-specific options. (4) If switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare, you typically have guaranteed issue rights for Medigap for 63 days after losing MA coverage.
Compare Medicare Supplement Quotes
Estimate your monthly Medigap premium based on plan, age, and state.
Use Medicare Supplement Calculator →Part D Drug Coverage — What Medigap Doesn't Include
This surprises many new enrollees: Medigap does NOT include prescription drug coverage. You need a separate standalone Part D plan to cover medications — otherwise your drug costs are fully out-of-pocket.
Standalone Part D Plan Basics
- •Average premium: $35–$55/month in 2026
- •Available from private insurers (Humana, SilverScript, WellCare, AARP/UHC)
- •Enroll during Initial Enrollment Period or Annual Enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7)
- •2026 out-of-pocket cap: $2,000/year (IRA reform)
- •Late enrollment penalty: +1% per uncovered month, permanent
How to Choose the Right Part D Plan
- •Use Medicare.gov Plan Finder with your specific drug list
- •Verify your drugs are on the plan's formulary before enrolling
- •Compare total annual cost: premium + copays for your actual medications
- •Confirm preferred pharmacy is in-network (or use mail-order for savings)
- •Review annually — formularies change each Open Enrollment
| Drug Tier | Typical Copay |
|---|---|
| Tier 1 — Preferred generics | $0–$5 |
| Tier 2 — Non-preferred generics | $10–$20 |
| Tier 3 — Preferred brand | $40–$80 |
| Tier 4 — Non-preferred brand | $95–$200 |
| Tier 5 — Specialty drugs | 25–33% coinsurance |
The 2026 $2,000 Part D out-of-pocket cap (from the Inflation Reduction Act) is a major improvement — it eliminates the former "catastrophic" spending exposure for high-cost specialty drugs.