Choosing the best Medicare Supplement plan can save you thousands of dollars while giving you peace of mind about your healthcare costs. With 10 standardized Medigap plans available (and a few more in some states), knowing which one offers the best value for your situation is crucial.
This guide ranks all available Medicare Supplement plans for 2026, explains what each one covers, and helps you determine which plan makes the most sense for your health, budget, and lifestyle.
★ Key Takeaway
For most people, Plan G or Plan N offers the best combination of coverage and value. Plan G covers nearly everything with one small deductible. Plan N has lower premiums but adds copays for some visits.
Quick Rankings: Best Medigap Plans for 2026
Here's our ranking of Medicare Supplement plans based on coverage value, premium costs, and overall practicality:
| Rank | Plan | Best For | Monthly Premium* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plan G | Most comprehensive coverage | $120-$300 |
| 2 | Plan N | Lower premiums with manageable copays | $90-$200 |
| 3 | HD Plan G | Lowest premiums if you're healthy | $30-$80 |
| 4 | Plan F | Only if eligible (pre-2020 Medicare) | $150-$350 |
| 5 | Plan K or L | Budget-conscious with cost-sharing | $50-$150 |
*Premium ranges are approximate and vary significantly by age, location, gender, and insurance company.
Plan G: The Best Overall Choice
Plan G has become the most popular Medicare Supplement plan, and for good reason. It offers near-complete coverage with just one out-of-pocket cost: the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2025).
What Plan G Covers
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits end)
- Part B coinsurance or copayment (the 20% you'd otherwise pay)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025)
- Part B excess charges (if doctors charge above Medicare rates)
- 80% of foreign travel emergency care
What Plan G Doesn't Cover
- Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) - you pay this once per year
Why Plan G Beats Plan F
Plan F covers the Part B deductible that Plan G doesn't. But Plan F premiums are typically $300-$600/year higher than Plan G. Since the Part B deductible is only $257, you save money with Plan G in almost every case. Plus, Plan F is no longer available to people new to Medicare after January 1, 2020.
Who Should Choose Plan G
- People who want predictable healthcare costs
- Those who see doctors frequently or have chronic conditions
- Anyone who travels within the US and wants any-doctor flexibility
- People who value peace of mind over the lowest possible premium
Plan N: Best Value for Cost-Conscious Enrollees
Plan N offers robust coverage at lower premiums than Plan G, but adds some cost-sharing. If you're relatively healthy and don't mind small copays, Plan N can save you money.
What Plan N Covers
- All Part A costs (same as Plan G)
- Part B coinsurance (after copays below)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- 80% of foreign travel emergency care
What Plan N Doesn't Cover
- Part B deductible ($257/year)
- Part B excess charges (rare, but possible)
- Copays: Up to $20 for office visits, up to $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted)
Plan N vs Plan G: The Math
| Factor | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Annual premium savings | $0 | Save $400-$900/year |
| Part B deductible | You pay $257/year | You pay $257/year |
| Office visit copays | $0 | Up to $20 each |
| ER copay (if not admitted) | $0 | Up to $50 |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
Bottom line: If you have fewer than 15-20 doctor visits per year and rarely use the ER, Plan N usually saves you money. If you have chronic conditions requiring frequent visits, Plan G's predictability may be worth the higher premium.
Part B Excess Charges
Plan N doesn't cover Part B excess charges. In most states, this is a non-issue because over 99% of doctors accept Medicare assignment. However, if you live in a state without assignment rules, ask doctors upfront if they accept assignment.
High-Deductible Plan G: Lowest Premiums
High-Deductible Plan G works like regular Plan G, but you pay a $2,800 deductible (2025) before the plan pays anything. In exchange, premiums are dramatically lower, often $30-$80/month.
How It Works
- You pay all Medicare cost-sharing out of pocket until you hit $2,800
- After the deductible, Plan G coverage kicks in, covering everything except the Part B deductible
- Your maximum annual out-of-pocket is $2,800 + $257 (Part B deductible) = $3,057
Who Should Consider High-Deductible Plan G
- Healthy people with low healthcare utilization
- Those comfortable with some financial risk
- People who want catastrophic coverage at low cost
- Anyone who can easily afford a $2,800 unexpected expense
The Premium Savings
High-Deductible Plan G premiums can be $1,000-$2,500/year less than regular Plan G. If you go several years without hitting the deductible, you come out ahead. But one year with significant healthcare needs, and the savings disappear.
Plan F: Only for Pre-2020 Medicare Enrollees
Plan F offers the most comprehensive Medigap coverage available: it covers everything, including the Part B deductible. However, it's only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Should You Keep Plan F?
If you already have Plan F, you can keep it. But consider whether it still makes sense:
- Plan F pool is aging: Only people 70+ can have Plan F now, so premiums may rise faster as the risk pool ages
- Plan G saves money: The premium difference between F and G often exceeds the $257 Part B deductible
- Switching is possible: You can switch from F to G, but you may face medical underwriting
Plans K and L: Budget Options with Cost-Sharing
Plans K and L offer lower premiums by splitting costs with you. These plans are best for people on tight budgets who want some Medigap protection.
| Coverage | Plan K | Plan L |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance | 50% | 75% |
| Part B coinsurance | 50% | 75% |
| Part A deductible | 50% | 75% |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | 50% | 75% |
| Annual out-of-pocket limit | $7,060 (2025) | $3,530 (2025) |
Important: Plans K and L have annual out-of-pocket limits. Once you reach that limit, the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
How to Choose Your Best Medigap Plan
Step 1: Assess Your Healthcare Usage
- High usage (chronic conditions, frequent visits): Plan G provides the most predictability
- Moderate usage (occasional visits, generally healthy): Plan N likely saves money
- Low usage (rarely see doctors): High-Deductible Plan G could work
Step 2: Consider Your Budget
- Can afford higher premiums for peace of mind: Plan G
- Want to balance coverage and cost: Plan N
- Need lowest possible premiums: High-Deductible G or Plan K/L
Step 3: Compare Prices from Multiple Insurers
All Medigap Plan G policies cover exactly the same things, regardless of the insurance company. The only differences are premium price, how premiums increase over time, and customer service quality.
Timing Is Critical
Your best chance to get any Medigap plan at the best price is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This starts when you're 65+ AND enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers can't deny you or charge more for health conditions.
Medigap vs Medicare Advantage
Before choosing a Medigap plan, make sure you've considered whether Original Medicare + Medigap or Medicare Advantage is right for you:
| Factor | Medigap + Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | $100-$300+ for Medigap | Often $0 |
| Out-of-pocket maximum | Near $0 with Plan G | Up to $8,850/year |
| Doctor choice | Any doctor accepting Medicare | Network restrictions |
| Prior authorization | Rarely needed | Often required |
For a detailed comparison, see our guide on Medigap vs Medicare Advantage.
Your Next Steps
- Determine if Medigap is right for you (vs. Medicare Advantage)
- Identify which plan type fits your needs (G, N, or other)
- Get quotes from multiple insurance companies for the same plan
- Enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period for guaranteed acceptance
- Don't forget Part D - Medigap doesn't cover prescriptions
📋 The Bottom Line
Plan G is the best Medicare Supplement plan for most people, offering comprehensive coverage with minimal out-of-pocket costs. Plan N is an excellent alternative if you want lower premiums and don't mind small copays. Whatever you choose, shop multiple insurers and enroll during your Open Enrollment Period for the best rates.
Need Help Choosing?
Comparing Medigap plans across multiple insurers can be time-consuming. A fee-only Medicare advisor can help you compare your options objectively, without any pressure to choose a particular company.