Medicare pays for a lot, but it does not pay for everything. The 20 percent coinsurance on Part B services alone can result in thousands of dollars in bills for a single procedure, because Original Medicare has no annual out-of-pocket limit. What does Medigap cover? In short, Medigap policies cover the deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that Original Medicare leaves you responsible for. According to CMS and Medicare.gov, millions of beneficiaries rely on these policies to protect themselves from the financial gaps in traditional Medicare. This guide explains what each standardized plan covers in 2026, what none of them cover, and how to choose — but because cost figures change every year, always confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
The Core Benefits of Medigap
All ten standardized Medigap plans share a set of core benefits, though coverage levels differ by plan letter. Every Medigap plan covers at least a portion of Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are exhausted. Every plan also covers at least a portion of Part B coinsurance or copayment and the first three pints of blood per year. Because the plans are standardized by law, a Plan G from one insurer covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from another — only the premium and customer service differ (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently).
The most comprehensive plans, specifically Plan G and the legacy Plan F, go well beyond these basics. They cover the Part A deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B excess charges, and 80 percent of foreign travel emergency care. Plan G leaves only the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) as your responsibility. Understanding what does Medigap cover at each plan level is the first step toward making a sound coverage choice.
Part A Coverage Details
Medicare Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, home health services, and hospice care. However, Part A comes with significant cost-sharing. In 2026, the Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. If you have multiple hospital admissions in a year that each start a new benefit period, you can owe the deductible more than once.
Most Medigap plans (B through N) cover the Part A deductible in full. Plans K and L cover 50 percent and 75 percent of the deductible, respectively. For hospital stays beyond 60 days, you face coinsurance of $434 per day for days 61 through 90 and $868 per day for lifetime reserve days 91 through 150 in 2026. All Medigap plans cover this coinsurance at 100 percent. After your 150 lifetime reserve days are exhausted, Plans A through N provide coverage for up to an additional 365 days. This extended hospital coverage is one of the most important but least discussed benefits of Medigap.
Part B Coverage Details
Part B covers doctor visits, outpatient surgery, diagnostic tests, durable medical equipment, and preventive services. After you meet the $283 annual deductible (2026), Medicare pays 80 percent of approved charges and you pay 20 percent. Since Part B has no out-of-pocket maximum, that 20 percent coinsurance can add up quickly for expensive treatments — which is precisely the exposure Medigap is designed to limit.
All Medigap plans cover Part B coinsurance at 100 percent except Plans K (50 percent) and L (75 percent), and Plan N, which covers it at 100 percent but with copays of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in admission. The Part B deductible itself is covered only by Plans C and F, which are closed to anyone who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date and already have Plan C or F, you can keep it. For everyone else, the $283 deductible is a modest annual expense that most beneficiaries find manageable.
Skilled Nursing Facility Coverage
Original Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care for up to 100 days per benefit period following a qualifying inpatient hospital stay. Days 1 through 20 are fully covered by Medicare. For days 21 through 100, you owe coinsurance of $217.00 per day in 2026. A full 80-day coinsurance period would cost $17,360 out of pocket without supplemental coverage.
Most Medigap plans cover skilled nursing facility coinsurance at 100 percent. Plans K and L cover 50 percent and 75 percent, respectively; Plans A and B do not cover it at all. This benefit alone can justify the cost of a Medigap policy for beneficiaries who need extended rehabilitation after a stroke, hip replacement, or other qualifying event. Note that Medicare’s skilled nursing benefit does not cover long-term custodial care — see the exclusions section below. Our healthcare costs guide discusses skilled nursing expenses in broader context.
Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage
Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services received outside the United States. Medigap Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N cover 80 percent of emergency care costs during foreign travel, after a $250 annual deductible and up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. Plans A, B, K, and L do not include this benefit.
For retirees who travel internationally, this coverage provides a valuable safety net. A medical emergency abroad can cost tens of thousands of dollars, and standalone travel medical insurance is an alternative but typically requires a separate policy with its own terms and limits. The foreign travel benefit in Medigap is not comprehensive travel medical coverage, and it applies only to emergencies begun during the first 60 days of a trip, but it provides meaningful protection.
Part B Excess Charges
When a healthcare provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15 percent above the Medicare-approved amount. This additional charge is called a Part B excess charge. Plans F and G cover excess charges at 100 percent; Plan N and most other plans do not.
In practice, the large majority of physicians nationwide accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges affect a small minority of visits. Additionally, several states — including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont — limit or prohibit excess charges by law. For beneficiaries in these states, the lack of excess-charge coverage in Plan N is essentially irrelevant. For more on how Plan N handles this, see our Plan N guide.
What Medigap Does Not Cover
Knowing what does Medigap cover also means understanding its limits. Medigap does not cover prescription drugs (you need a separate Part D plan), routine dental care, routine vision care including eyeglasses, hearing aids, long-term custodial care (help with daily activities like bathing and dressing), cosmetic surgery, private-duty nursing, or any service that Original Medicare does not cover. If Medicare denies a claim as not covered, your Medigap plan will not cover it either.
Medigap also cannot be combined with a Medicare Advantage plan. You must choose one path: Original Medicare with Medigap (and usually a standalone Part D drug plan), or Medicare Advantage. Each approach has distinct advantages and trade-offs. Our Medigap vs Medicare Advantage comparison explores these choices thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medigap cover mental health services?
Yes. If Medicare Part B covers a mental health service, such as outpatient therapy or psychiatric visits, your Medigap plan covers the Part B coinsurance for that service. Inpatient psychiatric care is covered under Part A, and Medigap covers the associated Part A cost-sharing.
Does Medigap cover ambulance services?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary ambulance transportation, and your Medigap plan covers the Part B coinsurance. This includes emergency and some non-emergency ambulance services when other transportation would endanger your health.
Does Medigap cover preventive care?
Medicare Part B covers many preventive services at 100 percent with no coinsurance or deductible. Because there is no cost-sharing on those services, there is nothing for Medigap to cover. You receive those preventive services at no out-of-pocket cost with or without Medigap.
Does Medigap cover home health care?
Medicare covers eligible home health services at 100 percent when they are medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Because Medicare pays the full cost, Medigap is generally not involved. If there is cost-sharing for a specific item (such as durable medical equipment supplied under home health), Medigap would cover that portion according to your plan letter.
Can I use Medigap at any hospital?
Yes. Medigap works with Original Medicare at any hospital, doctor’s office, or other facility in the United States that accepts Medicare. There are no network restrictions. This freedom of provider choice is one of the primary advantages of Medigap over Medicare Advantage.
Does the price of a Medigap plan change over time?
Yes. Premiums typically rise over time and depend on the insurer, your state, and how the policy is rated (by community rating, issue age, or attained age). Two policies with identical benefits can carry very different premiums, so it pays to compare carriers. Enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period gives you guaranteed acceptance regardless of health.
Choosing Your Coverage Level
Now that you understand what does Medigap cover, the choice comes down to how much of that coverage you want and how much you are willing to pay in monthly premiums. Plan G offers the most comprehensive coverage available to new enrollees, with premiums that commonly range from roughly $120 to $300 per month depending on where you live, your age, and the insurer. Plan N provides nearly the same coverage at somewhat lower premiums (often around $80 to $220 per month) in exchange for small office and ER copays and no excess-charge coverage. Plans K and L offer partial coverage at lower premiums with annual out-of-pocket caps that reset each year. These premium ranges are illustrative and vary widely — get quotes for your ZIP code and age. Compare your options using our plan comparison tool, check rates from multiple carriers, and enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period for guaranteed acceptance. For additional guidance, visit our healthcare policy guide, and confirm all current figures at Medicare.gov before you enroll.
This article is general educational information, not insurance or legal advice. Medigap premiums, the standardized benefits, and Medicare’s Part A/Part B cost figures change every year, and Plans C and F are closed to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Medigap does not include drug coverage (you need a separate Part D plan) and does not cover long-term custodial care. Confirm the current plan benefits, premiums, and enrollment rules at Medicare.gov, or with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), before you enroll.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — What Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans cover; 2026 Part A and Part B costs
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — Medigap standardization and enrollment rules
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — standardized Medigap plan benefits