Pennsylvania has one of the largest Medicare populations in the country – roughly 2.8 million beneficiaries – and a competitive Medigap market that gives residents access to some of the more affordable supplement premiums in the Northeast. If you are researching Medicare Supplement plans in PA, you will find more than 30 insurers offering policies in the state, along with consumer protections that go beyond federal minimums. This guide covers what you need to know about costs, carriers, enrollment rules, and Pennsylvania-specific regulations. Figures and rules change, so treat the numbers here as current-year estimates and verify specifics with the insurer and with free state counseling before you enroll.
Pennsylvania’s Medigap Market at a Glance
Pennsylvania follows the federal standardization rules for Medigap plans, meaning the same 10 plan letters (A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N) are available with identical benefits regardless of insurer. Because a Plan G is a Plan G no matter who sells it, you can shop primarily on price, financial stability, and customer service. The state’s large population and competitive insurance market generally keep premiums below the national average, particularly in the Pittsburgh and Philadelphia metro areas where insurer competition is strongest.
According to the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, all Medigap insurers in the state are required to offer at least Plan A and either Plan C or Plan F to those eligible for them. Most major carriers also sell Plans G and N, which have become the most popular choices for new enrollees now that Plan F and Plan C are closed to the newly eligible (explained below).
Plan F and Plan C Are Closed to the Newly Eligible
A key rule to understand: federal law closed Plan F and Plan C – the two plans that cover the Medicare Part B deductible – to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before that date, you can generally still buy or keep Plan F or Plan C where available. If you became eligible in 2020 or later, those two plans are not an option, which is a major reason Plan G and Plan N now dominate the new-enrollee market. Plan G is essentially Plan F minus coverage of the Part B deductible, which for 2026 is $283.
Average Costs for Medicare Supplement Plans in PA
Premiums for Medicare Supplement plans in PA tend to be moderate by national standards. For a 65-year-old nonsmoker enrolling during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period, approximate monthly ranges are below. These are illustrative estimates only and can be out of date quickly – always get a live quote for your ZIP code, age, and the specific insurer.
Plan G: roughly $110 to $240 per month. Plan N: roughly $80 to $185 per month. Plan F (available only to those eligible before 2020): roughly $140 to $290 per month. Plan A: roughly $75 to $175 per month. Plan K: roughly $40 to $100 per month. High-Deductible Plan G: roughly $25 to $65 per month.
These ranges reflect the general pattern in rate filings reviewed by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, but premiums vary significantly by ZIP code, age, and how each insurer prices (issue-age, attained-age, or community-rated). Philadelphia and its suburbs generally command higher rates than rural western Pennsylvania. For a broader cost analysis, see our Medigap Cost Comparison Chart. Remember that with a High-Deductible Plan G, you pay a low premium but are responsible for out-of-pocket costs up to the annual deductible before the plan pays.
Top Medigap Insurers in Pennsylvania
The carriers below are widely available in Pennsylvania. This is descriptive, not an endorsement – the right insurer depends on your ZIP code, the plan letter you want, the price, and the company’s rate-increase history. Always compare multiple quotes.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark is a dominant health insurer in western and central Pennsylvania. The company offers the standard Medigap plan letters and is often competitive in the Pittsburgh market. Plan G premiums for a 65-year-old in Allegheny County have historically been among the lower figures in the state, but confirm current pricing directly.
Independence Blue Cross
Independence Blue Cross serves the Philadelphia region and is one of the larger Medigap sellers in southeastern Pennsylvania. Premiums tend to run somewhat higher than western PA carriers because healthcare costs in the Philadelphia metro are higher, but the company has strong brand recognition and customer service.
AARP / UnitedHealthcare
UnitedHealthcare’s AARP-branded Medigap plans are available statewide and are among the most popular supplement plans nationally. Plan G premiums in Pennsylvania commonly fall in a mid-range band. AARP plans often include extras like a nurse hotline and fitness discounts; membership is required.
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha offers Medigap plans throughout Pennsylvania with generally competitive rates, particularly on Plan N. Its Plan N premiums in PA are frequently on the lower end for a 65-year-old, but as always, pricing depends on ZIP and age – get a quote.
Pennsylvania-Specific Medigap Protections
Pennsylvania provides several consumer protections that enhance the federal Medigap framework. Notably, Pennsylvania law prohibits providers from charging Part B “excess charges” (the extra amount a provider who does not accept Medicare assignment can bill above the Medicare-approved amount). Because excess charges essentially do not occur in PA, the Plan G benefit that covers them has little practical value in the state – which narrows the real-world difference between Plan G and Plan N. Verify this protection still applies to your situation, as rules can change.
Pennsylvania also requires a 30-day free look period for new Medigap policies. If you buy a plan and decide within 30 days it is not right for you, you can cancel for a refund of premiums paid. The state generally requires insurers to provide a grace period for premium payments before a policy can be cancelled for non-payment. Confirm the exact terms in your policy documents.
Pennsylvania does not offer a Medigap “birthday rule” or annual guaranteed-issue switching window like some states (for example, California). However, PA has historically required continuous open enrollment for certain plans for beneficiaries aged 65 and older, offering some flexibility beyond the standard federal six-month Medigap OEP. Because these state rules can be updated, confirm what currently applies with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department or PA MEDI before relying on them.
Enrollment Timing for PA Residents
Your primary enrollment opportunity is the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, Pennsylvania insurers must sell you any plan they offer at the standard rate with no medical underwriting – this is when you get the best rates and guaranteed acceptance regardless of health history. Missing it is the single most common and costly Medigap mistake.
If you are enrolling in Medicare for the first time, coordinate your Part B enrollment with your Medigap application. Many beneficiaries apply for Medigap coverage two to three months before their Part B effective date so the policies align. For a full timeline, see our Medicare enrollment guide.
Pennsylvania residents who miss their initial OEP can still apply for Medigap, but insurers may require medical underwriting and can decline coverage or charge more based on health. Certain guaranteed-issue rights apply in specific situations – such as losing employer coverage, leaving a Medicare Advantage plan within 12 months of first joining (the “trial right”), or having a Medigap insurer become insolvent. These federal protections are time-limited, so act promptly if one applies to you, and confirm the current rules with PA MEDI.
Choosing Between Plan G and Plan N in Pennsylvania
Because Pennsylvania effectively eliminates Part B excess charges, the main practical differences between Plan G and Plan N in the state are Plan N’s cost-sharing: copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not lead to an inpatient admission, plus the fact that Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges (which do not apply in PA anyway). Plan G has no such visit copays but usually costs more per month.
This makes the Medicare Supplement plans in PA market relatively favorable for Plan N. As a rough illustration: if you see the doctor about six times a year, your Plan N copay exposure might be around $120, while your annual premium savings from choosing Plan N over Plan G could be several hundred dollars – so Plan N can come out ahead for many Pennsylvania beneficiaries. Whether it actually does depends on your expected utilization and the specific quotes you receive, so run the numbers for your own situation. Compare the plans in detail at our Medicare Plan N vs Plan G page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 2026 Medicare Part B deductible, and which plans cover it?
For 2026, the Medicare Part B annual deductible is $283, and the standard Part B monthly premium is $202.90 (higher for higher incomes). Only Plan F and Plan C cover the Part B deductible, and both are closed to people who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you are newly eligible, you will pay the Part B deductible yourself under Plan G or Plan N. Verify current figures at Medicare.gov.
Does Pennsylvania offer a Medigap birthday rule?
No. Pennsylvania does not have a birthday rule that provides annual guaranteed-issue rights to switch Medigap plans. Once your initial six-month OEP expires, switching plans may require medical underwriting. Some limited continuous-enrollment provisions have applied in PA for certain plans and ages, so confirm current rules with the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.
Are Medigap premiums tax-deductible in Pennsylvania?
Medigap premiums may be deductible as a medical expense on your federal tax return if you itemize and your total qualifying medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. Pennsylvania generally does not tax Social Security or most retirement income, which can help with overall costs, but that is separate from any Medigap deduction. This is general information, not tax advice – consult a tax professional for your situation.
How many insurers sell Medigap in Pennsylvania?
More than 30 insurers are licensed to sell Medigap policies in Pennsylvania, though not all sell in every county. The Philadelphia and Pittsburgh metro areas have the most options. You can find a current list through the Pennsylvania Insurance Department at insurance.pa.gov.
Can I have both Medicare Advantage and Medigap in PA?
No. Federal law prohibits holding a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap policy at the same time – Medigap only works with Original Medicare. You must choose one approach. If you are deciding between the two, our Medicare Advantage vs Supplement comparison can help.
Getting Started with Medigap in Pennsylvania
Contact PA MEDI – Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, the state’s SHIP (formerly known as APPRISE) – at 1-800-783-7067 for free, unbiased Medigap counseling. Use the Medicare.gov plan finder to compare premiums from licensed insurers in your county. Because Pennsylvania’s excess-charge prohibition makes Plan N more competitive, get Plan N quotes alongside Plan G quotes. Enroll during your Medigap OEP for guaranteed acceptance, and take advantage of the 30-day free look period if you want to evaluate a policy before committing. For broader Medicare planning, visit our healthcare policy guide and our supplemental health plans overview.
TL;DR & disclaimer: Pennsylvania uses the federal standardized Medigap plans (A-N), so a given plan letter offers the same benefits from any insurer – compare on price and service. Plan F and Plan C are closed to those first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020; Plan G and Plan N are the common new-enrollee choices. The best time to buy is your six-month Medigap OEP (guaranteed issue, no underwriting). For 2026, the Part B deductible is $283 and the standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Premiums vary widely by ZIP, age, and insurer. This is general information, not insurance or tax advice, and this site endorses no specific plan or carrier – verify current figures and rules with the insurer, the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, and free PA MEDI (1-800-783-7067) counseling.
Sources
- Medicare.gov – Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) basics and 2026 costs (medicare.gov)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – 2026 Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles (cms.gov)
- Pennsylvania Insurance Department (insurance.pa.gov)
- PA MEDI – Pennsylvania Medicare Education and Decision Insight, the state SHIP, 1-800-783-7067 (pa.gov)