Introduction
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, comes in standardized plan letters. Comparing them is confusing, especially if you're approaching Medicare or reviewing coverage you already have.
This chart compares benefits, not carrier prices. Standardized plans provide the same core benefits within a state's structure, but premiums, underwriting, availability, and discounts vary by insurer.
Below you'll find the 2026 side-by-side chart, a plain-language look at all 10 plans, cost and enrollment rules, and a practical way to narrow your options.
The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 and the Part B deductible is $283, according to CMS's 2026 fact sheet. Those are exactly the gaps Medigap helps fill.
Key Takeaways
- The 10 plan letters are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, but not every plan is open to every applicant or state.
- Plans G, N, K, L, and legacy C and F each carry different cost-sharing tradeoffs. No plan is best for everyone.
- Private insurers set premiums, which vary by carrier, location, age, rating method, and timing.
- Medigap supplements Original Medicare. It generally excludes drugs, routine dental, vision, and long-term care.
Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart: All 10 Plans Side by Side
The chart below reflects Medicare.gov's 2026 benefit information. "100%" means the plan pays that share of the covered expense. "0" means no coverage. "N/A" means not applicable.
| Medigap benefit | A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 extra days) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B coinsurance/copayment | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100%* |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance/copayment | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 0 | 0 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A deductible | 0 | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% |
| Part B deductible | 0 | 0 | 100% | 0 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Part B excess charges | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 100% | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Foreign travel emergency (to plan limits) | 0 | 0 | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | 0 | 0 | 80% | 80% |
| 2026 out-of-pocket limit | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | $8,000 | $4,000 | N/A | N/A |
*Plan N pays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
How to Read the Comparison Chart
Original Medicare pays its share first. The Medigap policy then pays some or all of the remaining approved cost, depending on the plan's standardized benefits.
Benefits are standardized. Premiums and carrier rules are not, and both can differ by insurer and state.
Important Chart Notes
- Plans F and G have high-deductible versions in some states. For 2026 the deductible is $2,950 before the policy pays.
- Plans C and F are unavailable to people first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
- Plan N has the office-visit and ER copays noted above.
- Plans K and L pay 100% of covered services for the rest of the year once you meet both the out-of-pocket limit and the Part B deductible.
- Plan M covers 50% of the Part A deductible, not the Part B deductible.
What Each of the 10 Medigap Plans Covers
Each Medigap plan has strengths, gaps, and tradeoffs. Use the notes below to read the comparison chart, not as a ranking of which letter is best.
Plans A and B
Plan A is the basic option. It covers hospital coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, blood, and hospice. It does not cover the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, or the Part B deductible.
Plan B adds only the Part A deductible. Neither plan covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance or foreign travel.
Plans C, D, and F
Plans C and F are the most comprehensive on deductibles, since both cover the Part B deductible. Plan F also pays Part B excess charges. Plan D mirrors Plan C minus the Part B deductible. All three include 80% foreign travel emergency coverage.
The federal cutoff depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare, not when you buy. Under NAIC's MACRA guidance, people first eligible on or after January 1, 2020 can't buy C or F. People eligible earlier may keep or buy them, subject to availability and underwriting.
Plan G
Plan G matches Plan F except it doesn't cover the Part B deductible. That makes it the most comprehensive option for many people newly eligible for Medicare. You pay the $283 Part B deductible yourself, then Plan G covers nearly everything else. A high-deductible Plan G exists in some states, with lower premiums in exchange for paying the first $2,950 of covered costs.
Plans K and L
Plans K and L share costs. K pays 50% and L pays 75% of most covered benefits, usually for lower premiums. Out-of-pocket limits are $8,000 for K and $4,000 for L in 2026. Confirm current figures on Medicare.gov before deciding.
Plans M and N
Plan M covers 50% of the Part A deductible and skips the Part B deductible.
Plan N covers nearly everything Plan G does, but it adds copays of up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits, and it does not cover excess charges. People comfortable with small, predictable costs sometimes choose these plans for a different premium tradeoff.
Costs, Eligibility, and Enrollment
What a Medigap Premium Does and Does Not Include
Your total Medicare budget can include several pieces:
- The Medigap premium
- The Part B premium ($202.90 a month for 2026, standard amount)
- Any Part A costs that apply
- A separate Part D premium for prescriptions
- Anything your chosen plan doesn't cover
A more comprehensive plan doesn't automatically cost less overall. Weigh premiums and out-of-pocket exposure together.
Factors That Affect Medigap Prices
Premiums depend on plan letter, state, age, tobacco use, discounts, and carrier pricing. Insurers also use one of three rating methods, per Medicare.gov's costs guide:
- Community-rated: generally the same premium regardless of age
- Issue-age-rated: based on your age when you buy
- Attained-age-rated: rises as you age
All three can rise with inflation. Discounts may include non-smoker, married-person, multiple-policy, and annual-payment discounts.
The same lettered plan costs different amounts from different insurers. KFF reports an average of $244 a month in 2025 across current policyholders, but that's a market benchmark, not a 2026 quote. Get quotes for your own state and profile.
Enrollment Timing and Guaranteed Issue Rights
The federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts 6 months and starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, insurers can't deny an offered policy based on health. A pre-existing-condition waiting period of up to 6 months may apply unless you have at least 6 months of continuous creditable coverage.
Guaranteed issue rights can apply later, for example:
- Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area or Medicare
- Employer coverage that paid after Medicare ends
- A trial right when you leave Medicare Advantage in your first year
Apply within 63 days of the relevant coverage end or notice date. Some states add extra switching protections, so check your state's rules.
Switching Plans and Medical Underwriting
Outside the initial window or a guaranteed issue situation, switching may mean health questions, higher premiums, or denial. Some state rules offer relief: Virginia allows same-benefit switching around your birthday, while West Virginia requires 24 continuous months and generally the same insurer.
When you buy a replacement, Medicare provides a 30-day free look. Keep the old policy until you accept the new one. Verify eligibility with Medicare.gov, your state insurance department, or a licensed agent before canceling anything.
What Medigap Covers and Does Not Cover
How Medigap Works With Original Medicare
Medigap supplements Original Medicare Parts A and B. It can't be combined with Medicare Advantage. Each policy covers one person, so spouses need separate policies. You still pay your Medicare premiums and any costs your plan doesn't cover.
Services Usually Outside Medigap Coverage
- Prescription drugs (policies sold since 2006 exclude them, so you may need a separate Part D plan)
- Routine dental and vision care
- Hearing aids and glasses
- Long-term care and private-duty nursing
Check your policy's terms and other coverage sources for these needs.
State-Specific Standardization
Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize differently:
- Massachusetts: Core, Supplement 1, and Supplement 1A
- Minnesota: Basic and Extended Basic, plus state versions of K, L, M, and N
- Wisconsin: its own structure
Residents in these states should use state-specific charts instead of the 10-plan chart above.
How to Choose and Compare a Medigap Plan
Work through these questions:
- Which plans can you buy? Your Medicare eligibility date decides whether C and F are options.
- How much care do you expect to use? Frequent users may prefer fewer cost-sharing surprises.
- Premium or cost-sharing? Plans K, L, M, and N trade lower premiums for out-of-pocket costs.
- Do you travel abroad? Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N include foreign travel emergency coverage.
- What's your budget and underwriting risk? Switching later may require health approval.
Depending on circumstances, you might look at Plan G, Plan N, Plans K or L, or an eligible legacy Plan F. Medicare doesn't rank plans. "Best" depends on your situation, plus a carrier's pricing and service.
Muneris Benefits, an independent agency operating since 1990, has licensed agents who help individuals compare available Medicare Supplement options and understand coverage, premiums, and enrollment.
Plan availability and pricing depend on your state, eligibility, and carrier. This article is general information, not insurance advice, so confirm details with Medicare.gov, your state insurance department, or a licensed agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you provide a comparison chart of the different Medigap plans?
Yes, the side-by-side chart above compares standardized benefits for Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Premiums vary by carrier and state.
What is the average cost of supplemental insurance for Medicare?
No single national price is useful. Premiums depend on plan, state, age, rating method, discounts, and carrier, so get current quotes for your situation.
How much does Plan G cost per month for seniors?
It varies by location, age, rating method, carrier, health status, discounts, and whether you choose the high-deductible option. Request quotes from several insurers.
Which is better, the Medicare Supplement plan F or G?
Plan F is generally limited to people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to newer beneficiaries but doesn't cover the Part B deductible. Compare premiums and your eligibility.
What are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans for 2026?
Medicare doesn't designate a top five. Depending on priorities, budget, and eligibility, people commonly consider Plan G, Plan N, Plans K and L, and eligible legacy options.
What is Plan J for Medicare?
Plan J is no longer sold and isn't one of the 10 current plans. Existing policyholders can generally keep it, but should review its terms with their insurer before making changes.
