Medicare Supplement Plans 2026: What You Need to Know

Millions of Americans rely on Medigap policies to fill the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare, and enrollment keeps climbing each year. Understanding today’s Medicare Supplement plans is essential whether you are turning 65, aging into Medicare from a disability, or re-evaluating a policy you already hold. This guide reflects the latest 2026 rules and figures, and it breaks down the standardized plan options, how the letters differ, current cost anchors, enrollment windows, and the changes that matter most to beneficiaries. It is general education, not insurance advice — verify current numbers at Medicare.gov before you act. For the wider context, see our healthcare policy guide.

What Are Medicare Supplement Plans?

Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, are private insurance policies designed to cover some or all of the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) leaves you to pay. Those costs include the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026, per Medicare.gov), the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), the 20 percent Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and, on some plans, Part B excess charges from providers who do not accept Medicare assignment.

Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. Each plan is identified by a letter, and every insurer selling a given letter must offer identical benefits — a Plan G is a Plan G whether you buy it from a large national carrier or a regional one. The standardized letters available in most states are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, and several of these also come in a high-deductible version. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own standardized structures.

What’s the Latest for Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026

The most important ongoing change remains the closure of Plans C and F to newer beneficiaries. Under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), anyone who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, cannot buy Plan C or Plan F (or the high-deductible Plan F). Those two plans were the only ones that covered the Part B deductible, and closing them to new enrollees has shifted demand toward Plan G and Plan N. If you were eligible before 2020, you can generally still buy or keep Plan C or F.

For 2026, the Part B deductible is $283 (up from $257 in 2025), which directly affects Plan G policyholders because they pay that deductible before their Medigap coverage begins. The Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period for 2026; plans that cover the Part A deductible absorb that cost on the enrollee’s behalf. The standard Part B premium, paid separately to Medicare, is $202.90 a month for most people in 2026. Medigap premiums themselves are not set by the government and continue to vary by carrier and market; some insurers raise rates modestly each year while others hold steady in competitive areas.

Comparing the Most Popular Plan Letters

Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees. It covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible, so once you pay that $283 yourself in 2026, the plan handles the rest of your standard Part A and Part B cost-sharing. Because you absorb the deductible, Plan G premiums typically run a bit lower than the now-closed Plan F, which is part of why it has become the default comprehensive choice.

Plan N is the second most popular option. It mirrors Plan G except that it does not cover Part B excess charges and asks for a small copay of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency-room visits that do not lead to admission. In exchange, Plan N usually carries a lower premium than Plan G, which can suit beneficiaries who mostly see providers that accept Medicare assignment. For a detailed side-by-side, see our Medicare Plan N vs Plan G comparison.

Plans K and L are cost-sharing plans that cover 50 percent and 75 percent of certain benefits respectively, with annual out-of-pocket limits that reset each year — $8,000 for Plan K and $4,000 for Plan L in 2026, according to Medicare.gov. Once you hit the limit, the plan pays 100 percent of covered services for the rest of the year. These plans carry lower premiums but expose you to more cost-sharing if you need significant care. Plan M splits the Part A deductible, and Plans A, B, and D fill narrower sets of gaps.

High-Deductible Plan G

Newly eligible beneficiaries who want comprehensive coverage with a lower premium can also consider high-deductible Plan G. It provides the same benefits as standard Plan G, but you first pay a high annual deductible — set by CMS each year and recently in the mid-$2,000s — before the plan begins paying. Verify the current high-deductible amount for 2026 at Medicare.gov, because it is indexed and changes annually. This design can work well for healthier beneficiaries who want a financial backstop against a bad year while keeping monthly costs down.

What Medigap Premiums Depend On

Premiums for Medicare Supplement plans depend on several factors, and there is no single “correct” price. Your premium reflects your plan letter, your ZIP code, your age, tobacco use, and the insurer’s rating method — attained-age (rises as you get older), issue-age (based on your age when you bought in), or community-rated (the same regardless of age). Because these variables move independently and rates refile every year, the only reliable numbers are current quotes. Compare them for the exact plan letter you want using the Medicare.gov plan finder or a licensed independent broker, and use our Medigap Cost Comparison Chart to organize what you find. Avoid anchoring on a premium you saw in an old article; verify the live figure before you enroll.

How to Enroll in a Medigap Plan

The best time to enroll is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins on the first day of the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this one-time window, insurers must sell you any Medigap policy they offer at their standard rate regardless of your health, and they cannot deny coverage or impose long exclusion periods for pre-existing conditions.

If you miss this window, you can still apply, but in most states the insurer can use medical underwriting — charging more or declining you based on your health history. Certain life events, such as losing employer coverage or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan within the first 12 months of joining, can trigger guaranteed-issue rights that let you enroll without underwriting. For the full timeline, see our Medicare enrollment guide and our page on Medicare AEP.

State-Specific Considerations

While Medigap benefits are federally standardized, premiums and consumer protections vary by state. California, for example, offers an annual “birthday rule” window that gives beneficiaries guaranteed-issue rights to switch to an equal or lesser plan around their birthday each year; Oregon, Missouri, and several other states have their own versions. New York and a few others require community rating, so premiums do not rise with age, though starting rates tend to be higher. If you live in a state with strong switching protections, you have more room to start lower-cost and change later; if you do not, be more deliberate about your first choice, because switching may require underwriting. Confirm your own state’s current rules before you rely on them.

Medigap vs Medicare Advantage

Before choosing a Medigap policy, it helps to understand how it compares with Medicare Advantage (Part C). Medicare Advantage plans often have lower monthly premiums and may bundle dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, but they use provider networks and frequently require referrals and prior authorization. Medigap gives you the freedom to see any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare, along with more predictable out-of-pocket costs, but it does not include drug coverage, so you add a standalone Part D plan. Our detailed Medigap vs Medicare Advantage comparison walks through the tradeoffs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add prescription drug coverage to my Medigap plan?

No. Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. You enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D plan separately. You can read about the coverage phases in our guide to the Medicare Part D donut hole.

Is Plan G the best value in 2026?

For many newly eligible beneficiaries, Plan G offers a strong combination of comprehensive coverage and a reasonable premium: you pay only the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) out of pocket, and the plan covers the rest of your standard cost-sharing. Whether it is the best value for you depends on your premium quotes and how much care you expect. See our guide to the best Medicare Supplement plan.

What happens if my Medigap insurer raises premiums a lot?

You have the right to apply to switch insurers at any time. But unless your state offers guaranteed-issue rights outside your initial enrollment period, the new company can underwrite your application. Comparing rates every couple of years is a good habit, just be aware of the underwriting risk before you drop a policy you already hold.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover telehealth?

Medigap plans cover the same services Original Medicare covers, including telehealth visits that Medicare approves. Your plan pays the Part B coinsurance for covered telehealth just as it would for an in-person visit. Some insurers also add supplemental telehealth perks; check your specific policy.

Choosing the Right Plan for Your Situation

Start by estimating how much care you expect this year. If you anticipate frequent visits, specialist care, or a possible hospitalization, a comprehensive plan like Plan G minimizes your out-of-pocket exposure. If you are generally healthy and want to keep premiums low, Plan N, high-deductible Plan G, or a Plan K/L may fit. Compare quotes from at least three carriers for the same plan letter using the Medicare.gov plan finder or an independent broker, and weigh not just the monthly premium but also the insurer’s rate-increase history and financial strength. When in doubt, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased counseling, and you can reach Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). For more, visit our healthcare costs guide.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — “Medicare costs” (2026 Part A and Part B deductibles and premiums); Medigap basics; compare Medigap plan benefits, including Plan K and Plan L out-of-pocket limits; Medigap Open Enrollment Period and guaranteed-issue rights
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — 2026 Parts A & B premiums and deductibles fact sheet; MACRA (closure of Plans C and F to those newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020)
• KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation) — Medigap enrollment trends and rating-method background