Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement Insurance — fills the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare. The best Medigap plan for most people in 2026 is Plan G, which covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs, or Plan N, which costs less monthly in exchange for small copays on office and emergency room visits. Choosing the right plan depends on how much you use healthcare and how much premium stability you want.
Quick answer: Plan G is the best overall Medigap plan for new enrollees in 2026. It covers all Medicare gaps except the $257 Part B deductible, giving you predictable costs and no surprise bills. Plan N is the best value pick for healthier adults who want lower premiums and can accept small copays. Enroll during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (starts when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B) to guarantee acceptance regardless of health history.
What Medigap Covers
Original Medicare (Part A + Part B) leaves significant cost-sharing gaps. In 2026:
- Part A deductible: $1,676 per benefit period — you pay this each time you are hospitalized
- Part A coinsurance: $419/day for hospital days 61–90; $838/day for days 91+
- Part B deductible: $257/year
- Part B coinsurance: 20% of all approved outpatient and physician costs after the deductible — with no out-of-pocket maximum
Without Medigap, a serious illness or extended hospital stay can cost tens of thousands of dollars even with Medicare.
Standardised Medigap Plans — What Each Covers
Medigap policies are standardised by the federal government. An insurer’s Plan G in Ohio offers the same benefits as another insurer’s Plan G in Texas — the only difference is price and customer service. There are 10 standardised plans, labeled A through N.
| Benefit | Plan A | Plan G | Plan N | Plan K | Plan L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance (365 extra days) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ (with copays) | 50% | 75% |
| Part A deductible | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | 50% | 75% |
| Part B deductible | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | 50% | 75% |
| Part B excess charges | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
Plan F: Covers everything including the Part B deductible, but is only available to people who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020.
Plan G High-Deductible: Works like Plan G but you pay the first $2,870 (2026) in costs before benefits kick in. Monthly premiums can be $40–$80 — significantly lower than standard Plan G.
Best Medigap Plans in 2026
Best Overall: Plan G
Plan G is the top pick for the majority of new Medicare enrollees in 2026. It covers:
- All Medicare Part A deductibles and coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance (the 20% you would otherwise pay on every outpatient bill)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Part B excess charges (what non-participating doctors can charge above Medicare rates)
- 80% of foreign travel emergency costs up to a lifetime limit
The only gap: The Part B annual deductible of $257 in 2026.
Monthly premium range (age 65, non-tobacco): $100–$300 depending on state and insurer.
Best for: Anyone who wants predictable healthcare costs and the strongest protection from large bills.
Best Value: Plan N
Plan N offers nearly the same protection as Plan G at a lower monthly premium. The tradeoffs:
- $20 copay for most Part B office visits
- $50 copay for emergency room visits that do not result in hospital admission
- Does NOT cover Part B excess charges (if your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, you could owe up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount)
Monthly premium range (age 65): $80–$200.
Best for: Healthier adults who see the doctor a few times a year and want to save on premiums. If you have 3–4 office visits per year, Plan N might save $500–$800 annually vs. Plan G even after copays.
Worked example:
You have Plan N at $140/month vs. Plan G at $190/month = $50/month savings = $600/year.
You have 4 doctor visits ($80 in copays) + 0 ER visits.
Net savings on Plan N: $600 – $80 = $520/year.
Best for Low Premium, Healthy Adults: Plan G High-Deductible
High-Deductible Plan G has a $2,870 deductible in 2026 before benefits kick in, but monthly premiums can be as low as $40–$80. If you are healthy and rarely use healthcare, this plan can save thousands annually.
Best for: Adults in good health under 70 who have substantial savings and want the lowest possible premium.
Plan A — Basic Coverage Option
Plan A covers Part A and Part B coinsurance but not deductibles. It is rarely the best value because you are still exposed to the $1,676 Part A deductible per hospital stay. Useful only if you want the lowest possible premium and have other savings to cover deductibles.
Top Medigap Insurers in 2026
All Plan G policies cover the same benefits by federal law — the main differences between insurers are premium pricing, rate increase history, and customer service.
| Insurer | Pricing Method | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | Attained-age | Largest network; competitive rates for 65-year-olds |
| Mutual of Omaha | Attained-age / issue-age | Competitive pricing; strong customer service ratings |
| Humana | Attained-age | Household discounts available |
| Cigna | Attained-age | Available in most states |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield (state plans) | Varies | Community-rated in some states (NY, CT, MA, ME) |
Pricing methods explained:
- Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age
- Issue-age: Premium is based on age when you first buy; does not increase as you age
- Attained-age: Premium increases as you age — starts low, rises each year
Issue-age and community-rated plans are often more cost-effective over a 10–20 year retirement even if premiums start higher.
When to Enroll: Your Medigap Open Enrollment Window
Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window:
- Insurers must sell you any Medigap policy they offer
- Insurers cannot deny coverage based on health conditions
- Insurers cannot charge more based on pre-existing conditions
After this window closes, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting — meaning they can reject your application or charge significantly higher premiums based on your health history. Enroll during the open enrollment window.
Exceptions: Some states (New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine) require guaranteed issue year-round.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Medigap works with Original Medicare (Part A + Part B). If you choose Medicare Advantage (Part C) instead, you cannot use a Medigap policy. These are two different paths:
| Medigap + Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage structure | Traditional Medicare fills gaps | All-in-one managed plan |
| Network flexibility | See any Medicare-accepting provider in the US | Usually network-restricted (HMO/PPO) |
| Predictability of costs | High — Medigap pays gaps | Variable — depends on plan |
| Includes Part D (drugs) | No — buy separately | Usually yes |
| Monthly cost | Higher premium, very low out-of-pocket | Lower premium, higher potential out-of-pocket |
If you travel frequently, live in two states part of the year, or prefer to see any specialist without referrals, Medigap + Original Medicare typically offers greater flexibility.
Internal Resources
- Health Insurance Guide — Understanding Your Options
- HMO vs. PPO vs. EPO vs. POS — Health Plan Comparison
- COBRA Insurance Guide — Coverage After Leaving a Job
- How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan
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