Introduction
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, has no single nationwide price, so many shoppers struggle to budget before they get quotes. The latest national average among current policyholders is $244 a month in 2025, per KFF's analysis.
That figure includes smokers and high-deductible policies, so your quote will likely differ.
Medigap is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. Its premium is separate from your Part B premium and any Part D drug plan premium.
This guide covers plan-by-plan costs, what moves your premium, the expenses Medigap doesn't touch, and how to build a realistic budget.
Key Takeaways
- 2025 policyholder average is $244 a month; individual quotes vary widely.
- Plan letter sets the trade-off between premium and cost-sharing.
- Age, tobacco use, state, insurer, rating method, and timing all move your price.
- Lowest premium isn't always the best overall value.
How Much Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cost? (Pricing Overview)
Premiums vary by plan letter, insurer, state, applicant profile, and pricing method. Use any online range for budgeting, not as a guaranteed quote.
Typical Cost Range
KFF's 2025 policyholder averages show the spread by plan:
- All Medigap: $244 a month
- Plan G: $194 a month
- Plan F: $325 a month
- State range: $214 in Hawaii to $306 in New York
These are averages among existing policyholders, not new-applicant quotes. Don't treat the 2025 figure as a 2026 price; use it for budgeting only.
Advertised premiums exclude several costs:
- The Part B premium ($202.90 a month in 2026) and the $283 Part B deductible
- Any Part D premium
- Deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance your plan leaves uncovered
- Dental, vision, and hearing care
Plan-by-Plan Cost Comparison
For a matched comparison, here are January 2026 monthly premiums from New Jersey's official chart. The profile is a female, age 65, preferred-rate applicant. The chart doesn't state tobacco status.
| Plan | Monthly sample premium |
|---|---|
| A | $174.78 |
| B | $230.77 |
| D | $194.46 |
| G | $195.35 |
| K | $92.51 |
| L | $137.32 |
| M | $169.10 |
| N | $159.01 |
| High-deductible G | $49.81 |
Plans A through N come from Transamerica. The high-deductible G figure comes from Bankers Fidelity, a different insurer. Insurer spread is real: in the same chart, Plan G runs $140.81 from Bankers Fidelity and $212.00 from United American.
Plans C and F are unavailable to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. High-deductible F wasn't in this chart. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize policies differently, so the letters don't map one-to-one there.
Cost Breakdown
The premium is only one piece of your budget. What the plan leaves behind depends on the letter, according to Medicare.gov's comparison chart:
- Plan G: covers the Part A deductible and Part B excess charges, but not the Part B deductible. Plan F covers that deductible too.
- Plan N: covers most cost-sharing, but expect copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't lead to admission.
- Plans K and L: pay 50% and 75% of many cost-sharing items, with 2026 out-of-pocket limits of $8,000 and $4,000. After you hit the limit and the Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
- High-deductible G and F: you pay the $2,950 deductible before the policy pays anything.
The other standard plans have no comparable annual maximum, and Original Medicare has no cap either.
Some insurers add gym access or dental discounts. Those are extras, not standardized Medigap benefits, and a dental discount isn't dental insurance.
Key Factors That Affect Medicare Supplement Costs
No national formula sets your price. Plan design, your profile, state rules, insurer pricing, and enrollment timing all play a part.
Plan Type and Coverage Level
Broader cost-sharing coverage generally means a higher premium. High-deductible and higher cost-sharing plans cost less each month but shift risk to you.
Age, Tobacco Use, Health, and Applicant Profile
Medicare's guide lists location, underwriting, and discounts (including for women and nonsmokers) as pricing factors. The effect depends on your state's rules. During your Open Enrollment Period, insurers can't charge more because of health problems.
Location and State Rules
State, ZIP code, local costs, and plan availability all affect premiums. A national average won't predict your local quote.
Rating Method
Three methods exist:
- Community-rated: generally the same premium regardless of age
- Issue-age-rated: based on your age at purchase, so it doesn't rise as you age
- Attained-age-rated: based on current age, so it climbs as you get older
Inflation can raise premiums under any method. Massachusetts and New York use community rating; confirm what your state requires.
Enrollment Timing and Medical Underwriting
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months, starting the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. If you apply later, insurers may use underwriting, charge more, or deny you unless a guaranteed-issue right applies.
Insurer, Discounts, and Rate History
Compare several insurers on the same plan letter. Ask about household or automatic-payment discounts, and look at each carrier's rate-increase history. KFF's data shows the national average rose from $203 in 2020 to $244 in 2025, about 20%.
Low-Cost vs High-Cost Medigap Plans: What's the Difference?
Premium size alone does not determine value. Compare each plan against your expected use and risk.
Lower-cost options (K, L, high-deductible plans) carry deductibles, copays, or coinsurance. They suit people who want a smaller monthly bill and can absorb variable expenses.
Higher-cost options (F where eligible, G) cover more cost-sharing, so bills are predictable. They suit people who expect frequent care or dislike surprises.
To compare fairly, model each plan over a year:
- Multiply the monthly premium by 12.
- Add expected cost-sharing based on your likely care.
- Add a worst-case figure, such as the high-deductible threshold or the K/L limit.
- Allow for premium increases. The average Plan G premium rose 13% from 2024 to 2025.
How to Estimate the Right Budget for Medigap
The best budget balances monthly affordability against protection from unpredictable bills. Build it in layers:
- Medigap premium
- Part B premium ($202.90 in 2026)
- Part D premium, if you have one
- Expected cost-sharing under your plan
- Services Medicare doesn't cover
- A reserve for rate increases
Compare quotes apples-to-apples: same plan letter, effective date, tobacco status, location, payment frequency, and discounts. Medicare.gov also advises confirming that the insurer's quote is accurate.
Then stress-test the budget against a few scenarios: low use, regular specialist visits, a hospital stay, heavy prescription needs, and travel. These are illustrations, not personal financial or medical advice.
Muneris Benefits' licensed agents can help eligible clients in Virginia and West Virginia compare Medicare options and understand how premiums and cost-sharing work. The agency represents all major carriers in Virginia.
What Most People Miss When It Comes to Medigap Costs
- The premium isn't the whole budget. Prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing aids, and long-term care need separate coverage or out-of-pocket payment.
- The cheapest quote may not stay the cheapest. It may carry more cost-sharing, and rate increases can erase the gap. The same letter can price very differently across insurers.
- Switching has risks. Outside a protected period, you may face underwriting. Virginia offers a 60-day birthday window for same-benefit switches; West Virginia requires 24 months of continuous coverage and limits moves to the same insurer or an affiliate. Check your state's rule first.
Conclusion
Medicare Supplement costs depend on plan type, state, insurer, age, tobacco use, rating method, and timing. National figures are only starting points.
A realistic comparison counts premiums, remaining cost-sharing, separate Medicare expenses, exclusions, future increases, and your expected care. Compare current quotes for the same plan letter, verify benefits and eligibility on Medicare.gov, and get licensed guidance if the rules are unclear.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Medicare supplement plans cost?
Premiums vary by plan, state, insurer, age, tobacco use, rating method, and enrollment timing. Get current personalized quotes rather than relying on one national figure.
What is the average Medigap premium in 2026?
A 2026 national average is hard to find, so rely on personalized quotes. The most recent published figure is $244 a month among current policyholders in 2025. Your own premium may differ.
Can you buy supplemental insurance anytime?
You can apply anytime, but acceptance and pricing are guaranteed only during your six-month Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue event. Otherwise underwriting may apply. State rules vary.
What is Medigap and what does it cover?
Medigap is private insurance that helps pay Original Medicare deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. It generally doesn't replace Part D or cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care.
What are the key differences between Medigap Plan F and Plan G?
Plan F covers the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026); Plan G doesn't. F is limited to people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, and G usually costs less.
Do Medigap plans have an out-of-pocket maximum?
Only Plans K and L do, at $8,000 and $4,000 in 2026. The limit applies once you also meet the Part B deductible. Confirm current terms on Medicare.gov.
