Standardized by federal law
Same basic benefits across every carrier for each plan letter.
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)
Fill the coverage gaps left by Original Medicare so you can visit any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide without unexpected hospital bills.
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pays for many healthcare services and supplies, but it does not pay for everything. Medicare Supplement Insurance policies—commonly known as Medigap—are sold by private insurance companies to bridge those specific out-of-pocket costs, including your 20% coinsurance, copayments, and annual hospital deductibles.
Because Medigap works directly alongside Original Medicare, there are no HMO or PPO network limitations. If a hospital or physician accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States, your Medigap policy is accepted as well.
Covers out-of-pocket costs
Helps pay coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles left behind by Medicare Parts A and B.
Nationwide doctor access
See any doctor, specialist, or hospital in the country that takes Original Medicare—no network restrictions.
Guaranteed renewable
Your policy cannot be canceled due to emerging health conditions as long as premiums are paid on time.
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Plan G and Plan N
Compare the two most popular Medicare Supplement plans side by side to see which balance of predictable monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs fits your personal health budget.
Both plans let you see any doctor or specialist in the United States who accepts Medicare, with zero network restrictions and no referrals required.
You pay only the annual Part B deductible. Once that deductible is satisfied, Plan G pays 100% of all Medicare-approved medical costs.
Included Benefits
- Part A hospital coinsurance & hospital costs up to an extra 365 days
- Part A deductible covered in full ($1,632+ per benefit period)
- Part B coinsurance or copayment (usually 20% of approved amount)
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance covered in full
- Part B excess charges covered in full (100%)
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)
- !Annual Part B deductible (your only routine medical out-of-pocket responsibility)
Exact monthly premium depends on age, gender, tobacco use, and state of residence.
You trade lower monthly premiums for small out-of-pocket copays (up to $20 for doctor visits, up to $50 for ER visits) and excess charges.
Plan Details & Copay Structure
- Part A hospital coinsurance & hospital costs up to an extra 365 days
- Part A deductible covered in full ($1,632+ per benefit period)
- Lower monthly premium compared to Plan G
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance covered in full
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)
- !Doctor visit copayments: up to $20 per visit
- !Emergency room copayments: up to $50 (waived if admitted as inpatient)
- !Part B excess charges not covered (you pay provider differences where allowed)
- !Annual Part B deductible not covered
Copayments never apply to telehealth visits or preventive annual wellness exams.
At-a-Glance Plan Comparison
Key differences between standardized Plan G and Plan N options
| Core Benefit or Cost | Medigap Plan G | Medigap Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage level | Most comprehensive coverage for new enrollees | Budget-conscious with modest copayments |
| Monthly premium | Slightly higher monthly premium | Typically 20% to 30% lower monthly premium |
| Part B excess charges | Covered 100% | Not covered (paid by beneficiary) |
| Doctor visit copays | $0 copay after annual deductible | Up to $20 copay per office visit |
| Emergency room copays | $0 copay after annual deductible | Up to $50 copay (waived if admitted) |
Standardized Federal Protection
Every Medigap Plan G or Plan N offers identical core benefits regardless of which insurance carrier you select, because benefits are strictly standardized by federal and state law. However, monthly premiums differ significantly across carriers, ZIP codes, and rating methods.
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How It Works
Understanding when you can enroll in a Medigap plan protects your coverage and your monthly rate.
During this critical period, private insurance companies cannot deny you coverage, make you wait for coverage to start, or charge you higher monthly premiums because of past or current health problems.
- Guaranteed policy approval regardless of health
- No waiting periods for pre-existing medical conditions
- Lowest available baseline premium rates
Insurers review your medical records, previous diagnoses, and prescription history. Based on this underwriting review, an insurer may charge a substantially higher rate, exclude certain pre-existing conditions temporarily, or decline the application altogether.
- Detailed health questionnaires and prescription audits
- Possible premium surcharges or plan exclusions
- Insurers reserve the legal right to decline coverage
If you lose creditable retiree coverage, or if your Medicare Advantage plan terminates operations in your county, federal law grants guaranteed issue protections. Insurers must sell you selected standard plans without checking your health background.
- Loss of employer or union retiree health coverage
- Medicare Advantage plan leaves your geographic area
- Trial right periods when testing Medicare Advantage for year one
Unsure if you qualify for guaranteed enrollment?
Gary W. Blackmon reviews your current health timeline and plan coverage at no cost. Get clear, verified guidance before you submit an application.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Two distinct paths for your Medicare coverage. Compare how each option handles doctor access, monthly budgeting, and prescription medicine.
Designed to bridge the 20% coinsurance and hospital deductibles left unpaid by Parts A and B, giving you complete freedom of provider choice.
- Doctor choiceSee any doctor or hospital across the U.S. that accepts Medicare, with no network restrictions or specialist referrals required.
- Coverage structureWorks alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), paying your remaining deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
- Cost predictabilityHigher, steady monthly premiums in exchange for minimal and predictable out-of-pocket costs when you receive medical care.
- Prescription drugsRequires an independent, standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for your medications.
Replaces how you receive Part A and B benefits through a private health network, often bundling dental, vision, hearing, and prescriptions.
- Doctor choiceCare is coordinated through regional HMO or PPO provider networks. Seeing out-of-network providers may cost more or not be covered.
- Coverage structureBundles Part A, Part B, and often Part D into one plan managed by an approved private insurance company.
- Cost predictabilityOften features $0 or low monthly premiums, but you pay set copayments or coinsurance as you use each health service.
- Prescription drugsMost plans bundle prescription drug coverage directly into the same policy, with no separate plan required.
Unsure which path fits your doctors and budget?
Speak with a licensed advisor to review plan networks, state regulations, and total yearly costs.
Common questions about Medigap plans
Clear, straightforward answers about coverage rules, doctor access, and rate structures so you can make an informed choice with confidence.
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Have specific prescription medications or regional plan questions? Call toll-free to speak with a licensed agent at no cost or obligation.
No. Every standardized Medigap policy is guaranteed renewable by federal law.
As long as you continue to pay your monthly policy premium on time and made truthful statements on your application, an insurance company cannot cancel your coverage or single you out for rate increases simply because your health status changes or you develop serious chronic conditions.
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are standardized by the federal government and state insurance departments. Benefits for each lettered plan remain identical regardless of which insurance carrier provides the policy.