Coverage — Medigap
Medigap supplement plans
compared side by side.
Plan G, N, K, L, and HD-G — what each one covers, what it costs, and who each one is right for. In plain language.
What Medigap is
The problem it solves
Original Medicare leaves gaps — Medigap closes them
Original Medicare covers 80% of most outpatient services after the annual deductible. You pay the remaining 20% — with no annual cap on what that can total. A complex surgery, a long hospital stay, or an expensive piece of equipment can produce tens of thousands of dollars in 20% shares. Medigap supplements cover some or all of that remainder.
How standardization works
All Plan G policies cover exactly the same things
Medigap plans are federally standardized — a Plan G from Blue Cross covers the exact same benefits as a Plan G from AARP or any other insurer. The only variable between companies is the monthly premium. This means you should shop purely on price, not on the plan letter — the letter tells you everything about coverage, the company tells you nothing except what it charges.
The most important thing on this page
You have guaranteed issue rights once.
Don't miss them.
Don't miss them.
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a 6-month window that starts the month you are both 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B — no Medigap insurer can decline you or charge you more based on your health. That protection does not automatically repeat. If you switch to Medicare Advantage and later want to return to Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement, insurers can medically underwrite you — meaning they can charge significantly more or deny you entirely based on health conditions you've developed. Choose your Medigap plan carefully at 65. It is significantly easier to choose well once than to try to undo a decision later.
Side-by-side comparison
The five plans worth understanding. Plan F is excluded — it's only available to people who turned 65 before January 1, 2020 and is no longer available to new enrollees.
| What's covered | Plan G Most popular | Plan N | Plan K | Plan L | HD Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
| Part A deductible (~$1,736/benefit period) | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance (the 20%) | ✓ | ✓ except copays | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
| Part B deductible (~$283/year) | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ |
| Part B excess charges | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100) | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to limits) | ✓ | ✓ | ✕ | ✕ | ✓ |
| Office visit copay ($20) | ✕No copay | You pay $20 | — | — | ✕No copay |
| ER copay ($50, waived if admitted) | ✕No copay | You pay $50 | — | — | ✕No copay |
| Annual out-of-pocket cap (2026) | No cap needed — near-zero OOP | No formal cap | $8,000 | $4,000 | ~$2,950 deductible |
| Typical monthly premium range | $120 – $300 | $90 – $220 | $50 – $120 | $70 – $160 | $30 – $80 |
Premiums vary by insurer, location, age, and tobacco use. Get quotes from multiple insurers — the letter is standardized, the price is not. Data: CMS Medigap standardized benefit chart; 2026 OOP limits per CMS USPCC estimates. Figures update annually — verify current amounts at medicare.gov.
Each plan explained
Plan G
The comprehensive choice
Most popular for new enrollees
Plan G covers nearly everything Medicare doesn't — the Part A deductible, the Part B 20% coinsurance, SNF coinsurance days 21–100, and Part B excess charges. The only out-of-pocket cost on a Plan G is the annual Part B deductible (~$283). For most people who want near-zero out-of-pocket costs on covered services, Plan G is the answer.
Predictable costs — almost nothing owed beyond the premium and Part B deductible
No network restrictions — see any Medicare-accepting provider in the country
No prior authorization for covered services
Covers SNF coinsurance — critical for post-hospital rehab stays
Higher monthly premium than N, K, L, or HD-G
Does not cover the Part B deductible (only Plan F did)
Right for: Anyone who wants maximum coverage and predictable out-of-pocket costs. Especially valuable for people with chronic conditions, frequent specialist visits, or who want peace of mind over premium savings.
Plan N
The balanced choice
Lower premium, small copays
Plan N is similar to G but with two differences: you pay a $20 copay for office visits and a $50 copay for ER visits (waived if admitted). It also doesn't cover Part B excess charges — meaning if a doctor charges more than the Medicare-approved amount, you pay the difference. The premium savings over Plan G can be meaningful if you're healthy and visit doctors infrequently.
Lower monthly premium than Plan G — often $30–$80/month less
Still covers SNF coinsurance and foreign travel emergency
No network restrictions — any Medicare-accepting provider
$20 office visit copay and $50 ER copay add up for frequent users
No Part B excess charge coverage — check if your doctors balance bill
No formal annual out-of-pocket cap
Right for: Generally healthy people who see doctors infrequently and want lower premiums. Confirm your physicians don't balance bill (charge Part B excess charges) before choosing N over G.
Plans K & L
The cost-sharing plans
Lower premium, higher exposure
Plans K and L cover a percentage of costs rather than full coverage — K covers 50% of most gaps, L covers 75%. In exchange, premiums are significantly lower and both plans have an annual out-of-pocket cap (K: ~$8,000, L: ~$4,000). Once you hit the cap, Medicare and the plan cover everything for the rest of the year. These plans are less common but serve a specific use case.
Significantly lower monthly premiums than G or N
Annual out-of-pocket caps provide a ceiling on exposure
Substantial cost-sharing until the cap is reached — 50% or 25% of gaps
More complex to understand and budget for
Don't cover foreign travel emergency
Rarely the right choice when HD Plan G is available at similar or lower premium
Right for: A narrow use case — people with limited budgets who need the cap protection but can manage significant cost-sharing in exchange for lower premiums. Compare carefully against HD Plan G before choosing.
High-Deductible Plan G
The catastrophic choice
Very low premium, ~$2,950 deductible
HD Plan G has the same coverage as regular Plan G — but you pay the first ~$2,950 of Medicare cost-sharing before coverage kicks in. Once you've met the deductible, it covers everything Plan G covers. The trade-off: very low monthly premiums (often $30–$80/month) in exchange for significant exposure in years when you use a lot of care. Think of it as catastrophic coverage.
Dramatically lower monthly premium — often $50–$150/month less than Plan G
Once deductible met, same comprehensive coverage as Plan G
Works well combined with a Health Savings Account (HSA) if you have one
~$2,950 deductible exposure in years with significant healthcare use
Requires more financial planning — need to have the deductible accessible
Less predictable annual costs than regular Plan G
Right for: Generally healthy people who want catastrophic protection at a low premium and can comfortably absorb the deductible in a bad year. Not right for people with chronic conditions or frequent care needs.
How to choose
The decision between plans comes down to three questions:
1
How much healthcare do you use?
If you have chronic conditions, see specialists regularly, or want predictability — Plan G. If you're generally healthy and see doctors infrequently — Plan N or HD-G are worth the premium savings.
2
Can you absorb a bad year financially?
HD Plan G saves you $100+ per month but exposes you to ~$2,950 if you have a serious health event. If you have savings to cover that, HD-G can be the right financial decision. If you can't, the lower premium isn't worth the exposure.
3
Do your doctors balance bill?
Part B excess charges (balance billing) are rare — most Medicare providers accept assignment and cannot charge more than the Medicare-approved amount. But if you see specialists who don't accept assignment, Plan G protects you; Plan N does not. Call your key doctors and confirm before choosing N.
Shop on premium, not on brand
A Plan G from Company A covers exactly the same things as a Plan G from Company B. Get quotes from at least three insurers in your area — premiums can vary by 40–60% for identical coverage. Your state's SHIP counselor can help you compare quotes at no cost. Find yours at shiphelp.org →
Medicare Advantage is a different decision
Medigap supplements work with Original Medicare only. If you're considering Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare + Medigap, that's a fundamentally different trade-off — lower premiums and extra benefits in exchange for network restrictions and prior authorization. Understand that decision before choosing a path. The Coverage page explains it in full.
Dental, vision, and hearing aren't covered by Medigap or Medicare
Medigap closes Medicare's cost-sharing gaps — but neither covers dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. If those gaps matter to you, there are separate products for each. See supplementary options →
Not sure which plan is right for you?
A SHIP counselor can walk you through your specific situation, compare plans available in your area, and answer every question — at no cost and with no sales agenda.