What Are The Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans

With more than a dozen standardized Medigap options on the books, narrowing the field can feel overwhelming. If you have been asking what are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans, you are not alone. Millions of Medicare beneficiaries carry a Medigap policy, and the large majority cluster around just a handful of letter plans. Understanding which plans are most popular, and why, puts you in a stronger position to choose coverage that fits your health and your budget. One important note up front: this article describes the plans people most commonly choose, not an official government ranking. The “best” plan is the one that fits your situation, so treat this as a guided starting point.

How Medicare Supplement Plans Work

Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap, are private insurance policies designed to fill the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) covers roughly 80 percent of approved costs for many services. The remaining share, plus deductibles and coinsurance, becomes your responsibility unless you carry supplemental coverage.

The federal government standardizes Medigap plans by letter (A through N), so a Plan G from one insurer offers the same core benefits as a Plan G from another. The differences between carriers come down to premium price, financial stability, and customer service. This standardization makes comparison shopping more straightforward than navigating the Medicare Advantage marketplace, where networks and benefits vary widely from plan to plan.

This page is a companion to our detailed guides on individual plans. If you want a deep dive on a specific letter, follow the links below to pages on Medicare Supplement Plan G, Medicare Supplement Plan N, and Medicare Plan F. Here, the goal is different: to compare the most popular plans side by side so you can see how they differ at a glance.

The 5 Most Popular Medicare Supplement Plans

Based on the plans most often recommended and purchased today, here are five Medigap options worth knowing. Each strikes a different balance between monthly premium and out-of-pocket risk. Because premiums are not standardized, this section focuses on what each plan covers rather than quoting prices, which vary widely by carrier and location.

1. Medicare Supplement Plan G

Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most commonly chosen Medigap policy for people newly eligible for Medicare. It covers virtually everything the older Plan F covers except the annual Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. Once you pay that single deductible for the year, Plan G generally leaves you with no out-of-pocket cost for Medicare-approved services, including Part B excess charges. That near-complete protection, at a premium that is usually lower than Plan F, is why Plan G has become the modern default for many enrollees.

2. Medicare Supplement Plan N

Medicare Supplement Plan N is the leading lower-premium option. It covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, the Part A deductible, the first three pints of blood, Part B coinsurance (with a couple of exceptions), and Part A hospice coinsurance. In exchange for a typically lower premium than Plan G, you may owe a small copay for some office visits and for emergency-room visits that do not lead to admission, and Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. It is a strong fit if you want solid coverage and do not mind small, predictable copays at the point of care.

3. High-Deductible Plan G

High-Deductible Plan G offers the same benefits as standard Plan G, but you pay a much lower monthly premium in exchange for meeting a high annual deductible before the plan begins to pay. The deductible amount is set by Medicare and adjusts each year. This version appeals to healthier enrollees who want catastrophic-style protection and the lowest possible premium, and who can comfortably cover the deductible in a year when they need more care. It is worth comparing the total potential cost of High-Deductible Plan G against standard Plan G based on how much care you expect to use.

4. Medicare Supplement Plan F

Medicare Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap option ever offered, covering 100 percent of the standard gaps in Original Medicare, including the Part B deductible. However, Plan F has been closed to new enrollees since January 1, 2020. Only people who became eligible for Medicare before that date can still buy it. Because the enrollment pool is aging without new members joining, Plan F premiums tend to rise faster over time than Plan G. If you are grandfathered in and value having zero gaps, it remains a strong choice, but it is no longer an option for anyone newly eligible.

5. Plans K and L (Cost-Sharing Plans)

Plans K and L take a different approach: instead of covering gaps in full, they pay a set percentage of certain costs (Plan K covers 50 percent of many cost-sharing items, and Plan L covers 75 percent) until you reach an annual out-of-pocket limit, after which the plan pays 100 percent for the rest of the year. In return, their premiums are usually lower. These plans suit budget-focused enrollees who are comfortable sharing more of the cost up front in exchange for a lower monthly bill and a built-in ceiling on annual spending.

Other Lettered Plans Worth Knowing

Beyond the five above, a couple of other letters come up often. Plan A is the most basic Medigap policy, covering core benefits like Part A and Part B coinsurance, the first three pints of blood, and Part A hospice coinsurance, but not deductibles, excess charges, or foreign-travel emergencies. It carries some of the lowest premiums and works as a minimal safety net. Plan C mirrors Plan F except that it does not cover Part B excess charges; like Plan F, it closed to new Medicare beneficiaries on January 1, 2020, and remains available only to those who qualified before that date.

Comparing Coverage Side by Side

When you ask what are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans, the differences often come down to a few line items. Plans F and C cover the Part B deductible; Plans G, N, K, and L do not. Plans F and G cover Part B excess charges; Plan N does not. Plan N adds small copays at the point of service. Plans K and L cap your annual out-of-pocket costs but share more of the cost until you hit that limit. Every plan on this list covers the Part A hospital coinsurance and adds 365 lifetime reserve days of hospital coverage.

The practical takeaway: if you want the fewest surprises on Medicare-approved claims and you are newly eligible, Plan G is the modern standard. If you want a lower premium and do not mind small copays, Plan N delivers strong value. High-Deductible Plan G suits the healthy and budget-minded, Plans K and L appeal to those who want a spending cap with a lower premium, and Plans F and C remain solid for those grandfathered in.

What Drives Premium Differences

Because Medigap benefits are standardized, the price you pay depends on factors outside the benefit structure. Insurers use one of three pricing methods: community-rated (the same premium regardless of age), issue-age-rated (based on your age when you buy), and attained-age-rated (premiums rise as you get older). According to Medicare.gov, attained-age-rated plans often start cheaper but can cost more over time, while community-rated plans offer more long-term predictability.

Geography matters too. The same Plan G can cost noticeably less in a rural area than in a large, high-cost city. Tobacco use, household discounts, and paying annually versus monthly can also shift your premium. Because these variables are significant and none of them are standardized, collect quotes from at least three carriers before deciding, and compare the same letter plan across insurers so you are comparing like with like.

When to Enroll for the Best Rates

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B, and it lasts six months. During this window, insurers must sell you any Medigap plan they offer at their best available rate, regardless of pre-existing conditions. Missing this window does not lock you out permanently, but in most states carriers can then use medical underwriting, which may raise your premium or lead to a denial.

A handful of states, including California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York, provide stronger guaranteed-issue or continuous open-enrollment protections. Rules change, so check your healthcare policy guide and your state insurance department’s website to understand the protections where you live.

How the Top Plans Fit Different Budgets

Choosing among the most popular plans is ultimately a budgeting decision. If predictability is your priority and you became eligible before 2020, Plan F eliminates virtually every gap. For everyone else, Plan G offers nearly identical protection for a typically lower premium plus one manageable deductible. Plan N suits people who visit the doctor infrequently and want to keep premiums lower while retaining strong catastrophic coverage. High-Deductible Plan G and Plans K and L serve those who want the lowest premiums and are comfortable sharing more cost up front, and Plan A serves minimalists who want only a basic safety net.

Consider your annual healthcare use. Someone managing a chronic condition with frequent specialist visits will often benefit from Plan G’s comprehensive coverage. A healthy 65-year-old who rarely sees a doctor beyond an annual wellness visit might find Plan N or High-Deductible Plan G a smarter use of retirement income. For a deeper comparison against bundled alternatives, review our guide on Medigap vs Medicare Advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Medicare Supplement plan is most popular?

For people new to Medicare, Plan G is generally the most commonly chosen Medigap plan. It covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and typically costs less than Plan F. Plan N is the next most popular for those who want a lower premium and accept small copays. Because Plan F is closed to anyone newly eligible, most new sales now go to Plan G.

Can I switch from one Medigap plan to another?

You can apply to switch plans at any time, but outside your initial Open Enrollment Period the insurer can usually use medical underwriting. Some states guarantee the right to switch to a plan of equal or lesser coverage without underwriting. Always compare quotes before switching, and time your application so there is no gap in coverage.

Are Medicare Supplement premiums tax-deductible?

Medigap premiums may be deductible as a medical expense on your federal tax return if your total qualifying medical expenses exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income and you itemize. Consult a tax professional to determine whether itemizing benefits you more than the standard deduction.

Do all states offer the same Medigap plans?

Most states follow the federal standardization of Plans A through N. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own standardized plan structures. If you live in one of those three states, the letter designations do not apply, and you should review your state insurance department’s website for plan details.

Choosing Your Best Medicare Supplement Plan

Understanding what are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans is the first step toward securing reliable coverage in retirement, but remember that “top” here means most popular, not officially ranked. Plan G leads for good reason: broad coverage, competitive pricing, and relative premium stability. Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G reward cost-conscious enrollees, Plans K and L add a spending cap, and Plans F and C remain strong for those grandfathered in. Compare quotes from several insurers, enroll during your Open Enrollment Period whenever possible, and revisit your choice every few years to make sure it still fits your health and budget. For more on managing healthcare costs, explore our dedicated resource center.

Sources

• Medicare.gov — How to compare Medigap policies; the Medigap benefit chart (Plans A–N, cost-sharing Plans K and L, and High-Deductible Plan G); the Medigap Open Enrollment Period; and the Part B deductible
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) — 2026 Part B deductible ($283) and Medigap standardization rules
• HealthCare.gov and IRS — The 7.5%-of-AGI threshold for deducting medical expenses