Medicare Supplement Plans Compared: A Side-by-Side Guide to Every Option
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan can feel overwhelming. There are ten standardized plan letters, each with a different mix of benefits, and the differences matter when it comes to your monthly budget and out-of-pocket costs. This guide breaks down every Medicare Supplement plan available today — what each one covers, what it does not, and how to figure out which one fits your situation.
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
A Medicare Supplement plan — also called Medigap — is private health insurance that works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Original Medicare covers a significant portion of your hospital and medical costs, but it does not cover everything. You still face deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that can add up quickly.
A Medigap policy fills those gaps. When Original Medicare pays its share of an approved claim, your Medigap plan picks up some or all of the remaining costs, depending on which plan letter you choose. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company, and in return you get more predictable healthcare spending.
What Original Medicare Does Not Cover
Before comparing Medigap plans, it helps to understand the gaps they are designed to fill:
- Part A hospital deductible — the amount you pay before Medicare Part A starts covering hospital stays
- Part B medical deductible — the annual amount you pay before Medicare Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient services
- Part B coinsurance — typically 20% of Medicare-approved amounts for doctor services, outpatient care, and durable medical equipment
- Hospital stays beyond 60 days — daily coinsurance charges that increase the longer you stay
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance — daily charges after the first 20 days
- First three pints of blood — if you need a transfusion and the blood is not donated
- Foreign travel emergency costs — Original Medicare generally does not cover medical care outside the United States
The Standardized Plan Letters at a Glance
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by the federal government. This means that a Plan G from one insurance company offers the exact same basic benefits as a Plan G from another company. What differs is the price, the insurer’s customer service, and any extra perks the company may add.
Here is a breakdown of the ten plan types available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020:
Plan A
Plan A is the most basic Medigap option. It covers:
- Part A hospital coinsurance for days 61–90 and the 60 lifetime reserve days
- Part A hospice care coinsurance and copayments
- Part B coinsurance (the 20% you would otherwise owe)
- First three pints of blood each year
Plan A does not cover the Part A deductible, the Part B deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, or foreign travel emergencies. It is a straightforward option for people who want to reduce their ongoing coinsurance exposure but are comfortable handling deductibles on their own.
Plan B
Plan B includes everything in Plan A, plus:
- Part A hospital deductible (the full inpatient deductible for each benefit period)
Plan B still does not cover the Part B deductible, skilled nursing coinsurance, or foreign travel emergencies.
Plan C
Plan C is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date, you may still be able to purchase it. Plan C covers everything that Plan B covers, plus:
- Part B deductible
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% of covered expenses after a $250 deductible, up to plan limits)
Plan D
Plan D is also not available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. For those who qualify, Plan D covers:
- Part A hospital coinsurance and reserve days
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% after a $250 deductible, up to plan limits)
Plan D does not cover the Part A or Part B deductibles.
Plan F
Plan F was the most comprehensive Medigap plan for years, and it remains available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan F covers every gap in Original Medicare:
- Part A hospital deductible and coinsurance
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Part B deductible, coinsurance, and copayments
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% after a $250 deductible)
If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020 and have Plan F, you can keep it. It remains one of the most comprehensive options available.
Plan G
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan available to people newly eligible for Medicare today. It covers everything that Plan F covers except for the annual Part B deductible. That means:
- Part A hospital deductible and coinsurance
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance and copayments
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% after a $250 deductible)
The only out-of-pocket cost you would have under Plan G is the annual Part B deductible, which is set by Medicare each year. Once you meet that deductible, Plan G covers 100% of your Medicare-approved costs for the rest of the year. For many people, Plan G offers the right balance of comprehensive coverage and a manageable monthly premium.
Plan K
Plan K is a cost-sharing plan with lower premiums but higher out-of-pocket exposure. Plan K covers:
- Part A hospital coinsurance and reserve days (at 50% of the coinsurance for days 61–90 and lifetime reserve days)
- Part A hospice coinsurance (50%)
- Part B coinsurance (50%)
- First three pints of blood (50%)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (50%)
Plan K does not cover the Part A or Part B deductibles, and foreign travel emergencies are not included. Once you reach a yearly out-of-pocket limit set by Medicare, Plan K covers 100% of your covered costs for the rest of the year.
Plan L
Plan L is similar to Plan K but with slightly more coverage and a slightly higher premium. Plan L covers:
- Part A hospital coinsurance and reserve days (at 75% of the coinsurance)
- Part A hospice coinsurance (75%)
- Part B coinsurance (75%)
- First three pints of blood (75%)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (75%)
Like Plan K, Plan L has a yearly out-of-pocket limit. Once you reach it, the plan covers 100% for the rest of the year. Plan L does not cover the Part A or Part B deductibles or foreign travel emergencies.
Plan M
Plan M covers:
- Part A hospital deductible (50% of the full deductible)
- Part A hospital coinsurance and reserve days
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% after a $250 deductible)
Plan M does not cover the Part B deductible. The 50% cost-sharing on the Part A deductible makes it a middle-ground option between lower-premium plans and more comprehensive choices.
Plan N
Plan N is one of the most popular Medigap plans alongside Plan G. It covers:
- Part A hospital deductible and coinsurance
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance — but with small copayments for certain office visits and emergency room visits
- First three pints of blood
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency costs (80% after a $250 deductible)
The trade-off with Plan N is that you may owe copayments of up to $20 for some doctor office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. These copayments can only be charged for Medicare Part B covered services, and they do not apply if you are an admitted inpatient. For many people, the lower monthly premium of Plan N makes these small copayments worth it.
Plan G vs. Plan N: The Most Common Comparison
Since Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medigap plans for people new to Medicare, here is a closer look at how they differ:
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay |
| Part B coinsurance | 100% covered | Covered, but up to $20 office copay and $50 ER copay |
| Hospital stay coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered | Covered |
| Typical monthly premium range | Higher | Lower |
If you visit the doctor frequently, Plan G may save you money because you will not have any copayments after meeting the Part B deductible. If you are generally healthy and do not see the doctor often, Plan N could offer meaningful savings on your monthly premium while still providing strong coverage for the serious stuff.
How to Choose the Right Medicare Supplement Plan
There is no single “best” Medicare Supplement plan — the right choice depends on your health needs, your budget, and how much predictability you want in your healthcare costs.
Consider these questions when evaluating your options:
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How often do you visit the doctor? If you go regularly, Plan G’s full Part B coinsurance coverage may be worth the higher premium. If visits are rare, Plan N’s copayments may be a small price to pay for a lower monthly cost.
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Are you comfortable managing the Part B deductible yourself? Every Medigap plan available to new enrollees requires you to pay the annual Part B deductible. Once you meet it, Plan G covers everything else.
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Do you travel outside the United States? If so, choose a plan that includes foreign travel emergency coverage — Plan G, Plan N, and several others offer this benefit.
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Do you want the lowest possible premium? Plans K and L have lower premiums, but you will share more of the costs when you use services. These plans also cap your annual out-of-pocket spending, which can provide a safety net.
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Do you want to lock in comprehensive coverage? Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to new Medicare enrollees. If you want to minimize surprises and are willing to pay a higher premium for that peace of mind, it is a strong choice.
When to Enroll: The Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a six-month window that starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, any insurance company that sells Medigap policies in your state cannot deny you coverage or charge you more because of pre-existing conditions.
This is the most important time to buy a Medigap policy. After this six-month window closes, insurance companies can use medical underwriting to decide whether to sell you a policy and how much to charge. If you have health conditions, you may be denied coverage or face significantly higher premiums.
If you miss your Open Enrollment Period, you still have options — guaranteed-issue rights exist in certain situations, such as when you lose other health coverage — but the safest and most affordable time to buy is during your initial six-month window.
Why the Plan Letter Matters More Than the Company Name
Because Medigap plans are standardized, a Plan G from Company A covers the same basic benefits as a Plan G from Company B. What changes is:
- Price — premiums vary widely between companies for the same plan letter
- Rate history — some companies raise rates more frequently than others
- Customer service — how easy it is to file claims, get questions answered, and manage your policy
- Extra benefits — some insurers add gym memberships, vision discounts, or other perks beyond the standard coverage
Working with a licensed agent who represents multiple insurance companies can help you compare prices and benefits across carriers without having to call each one yourself.
Ready to Compare Medicare Supplement Plans?
Medicare Supplement plans give you the freedom to see any doctor who accepts Medicare — anywhere in the country — without network restrictions. The right plan depends on your health, your budget, and how you want to manage your healthcare costs.
A licensed agent at Trek Insurance Solutions can walk you through the options, compare rates from multiple carriers, and help you find the plan that fits your needs.
Call us today at 888-960-0442 or visit trekis.net to get started.
Trek Insurance Solutions is a Third-Party Marketing Organization (TPMO). We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
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