Reviewed against Medicare.gov rules · Last reviewed: June 2026
Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement insurance — fills the gaps in Original Medicare: the deductibles, copays, and the 20% coinsurance Part B leaves you to pay. Sold by private insurers but standardized by the government, Medigap plans are labeled with letters (A through N) so the same letter covers the same benefits no matter who sells it. This 2026 guide explains what Medigap covers, compares the most popular plans (G and N), and shows the one enrollment window when you can buy with no health questions.
Quick answer — Medigap in 2026
- Medigap pays the gaps in Original Medicare (deductibles + 20% coinsurance).
- Plans are standardized by letter — Plan G benefits are identical across insurers; only price differs.
- Plan G is the most popular for new enrollees; Plan N is a lower-premium option.
- Buy during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period — guaranteed, no health underwriting.
- Medigap does not include drugs — add a separate Part D plan.
Quick Answer
Medigap, or Medicare Supplement insurance, helps pay the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, such as the Part A and Part B deductibles and the 20% coinsurance. Plan G and Plan N are the most popular choices for new enrollees in 2026.
Key Takeaways
- Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible, Part B deductible, and 20% coinsurance, which otherwise have no annual cap.
- Plan G covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible, making it the most complete common option.
- Plan N usually has a lower premium but adds small copays for some office and ER visits and no excess-charge coverage.
- The best time to buy is your one-time, 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts when you are 65 and enrolled in Part B.
- Medigap policies sold today do not include drug coverage, so you add a separate Part D plan; Medigap cannot be paired with Medicare Advantage.
Official sources: Medicare.gov · CMS · Last reviewed: June 2026
What Medigap covers
Original Medicare pays most of your hospital and medical bills, but it leaves gaps: the Part A hospital deductible, the Part B deductible, and the 20% coinsurance on most Part B services — with no annual out-of-pocket cap. A Medigap policy steps in to pay some or all of those costs, depending on the plan letter you choose. Because the plans are standardized, you can shop on price and the insurer’s reputation rather than parsing different benefit designs.
The most popular Medigap plans (2026)
| Plan | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Plan G | Everything except the Part B deductible — including the 20% coinsurance and Part A deductible | Most new enrollees who want near-complete coverage |
| Plan N | Like G but with small copays for some office/ER visits and no excess-charge coverage | Those wanting lower premiums and willing to pay small copays |
| High-Deductible Plan G | Plan G benefits after you meet a high yearly deductible set by Medicare | Healthy enrollees who want the lowest premium |
| Plan F (legacy) | Covers everything including the Part B deductible | Only those eligible for Medicare before 2020 |
Plan F is closed to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 — that’s why Plan G is now the top choice for new enrollees.
Plan G vs Plan N: how to choose
Plan G covers everything Medigap can except the small Part B deductible, so after that you generally pay nothing for covered services — the most predictable option. Plan N usually has a lower premium but charges small copays (up to about $20 for some office visits and $50 for the ER) and doesn’t cover Part B “excess charges.” If you want the simplest coverage, choose G; if you’re healthy and want to save on premium, N can cost less overall.
When to buy: your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
The best time to buy is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time, 6-month window that starts the month you’re 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it you have a guaranteed-issue right: insurers must sell you any plan they offer at the best rate, regardless of your health. Miss this window and, in most states, insurers can use medical underwriting — charging more or denying coverage based on health. This is the single most important timing rule in Medigap.
How Medigap is priced
The same Plan G can cost very different amounts depending on the insurer and how it sets prices:
- Community-rated: everyone pays the same premium regardless of age.
- Issue-age: premium is based on your age when you buy and doesn’t rise just because you get older.
- Attained-age: premium starts lower but increases as you age.
Because benefits are identical, it pays to compare quotes from several insurers and ask which pricing method they use.
Medigap and drug coverage
Medigap policies sold today do not include prescription drugs. If you choose Original Medicare + Medigap, add a separate Part D drug plan to avoid the Part D late-enrollment penalty. You also cannot use a Medigap policy with a Medicare Advantage plan — Medigap only works with Original Medicare.
Key takeaways
- Medigap fills Original Medicare’s gaps; plans are standardized by letter.
- Plan G = near-complete coverage; Plan N = lower premium with small copays.
- Buy in your 6-month Open Enrollment Period for guaranteed issue.
- Add a separate Part D plan; Medigap doesn’t cover drugs.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Missing your 6-month window and facing medical underwriting later.
- Overpaying for identical coverage — the same Plan G varies widely by insurer.
- Forgetting Part D and owing a lifelong drug penalty.
- Trying to pair Medigap with Medicare Advantage — it only works with Original Medicare.
Related resources
- Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare 2026 — where Medigap fits.
- Medicare & Social Security: the Part B deduction
- Medicare Part B premium & IRMAA brackets 2026
- Social Security in 2026: the complete guide
Frequently asked questions
What is Medigap?
Medigap, or Medicare Supplement insurance, is a private policy that pays some of the costs Original Medicare leaves you — deductibles, copays, and the 20% coinsurance. Plans are standardized by letter, so the same letter offers the same benefits from any insurer.
What is the best Medigap plan in 2026?
Plan G is the most popular for new enrollees because it covers everything except the small Part B deductible. Plan N offers lower premiums with small copays. The right choice depends on your budget and how predictable you want costs.
Can I still get Medigap Plan F?
Only if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan F is closed to newer enrollees, who typically choose Plan G instead.
When is the best time to buy Medigap?
During your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts when you’re 65 and enrolled in Part B. In that window insurers must sell you any plan at the best price regardless of your health.
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?
No. Medigap policies sold today don’t include drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare and Medigap, add a separate Part D plan to avoid the late-enrollment penalty.
Why does the same Medigap plan cost different amounts?
Because benefits are standardized but pricing isn’t. Insurers use community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age pricing, so the identical Plan G can cost very different premiums — always compare quotes.
Can I use Medigap with Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. You can’t use it to cover costs in a Medicare Advantage plan.
The Guru Gazette is an independent publisher and is not affiliated with Medicare or CMS. This is general information, not insurance advice — compare standardized plans and prices at Medicare.gov. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance): https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap
- Medicare.gov — When can I buy Medigap?: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy
- Medicare.gov — Compare Medigap plan benefits: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits
- Medicare.gov — Costs of Medigap policies: https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/costs
- CMS — Medicare & You 2026 handbook: https://www.medicare.gov/medicare-and-you
People Also Ask
What does Medigap Plan G cover?
Plan G covers almost everything Medigap is allowed to cover except the annual Part B deductible. That includes the Part A hospital deductible and the 20% coinsurance on Part B services. After you meet the small Part B deductible, you generally pay nothing for covered services, which makes Plan G the most predictable common choice.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers everything except the Part B deductible, so your costs after that are very predictable. Plan N usually has a lower premium but charges small copays for some office and emergency-room visits and does not cover Part B excess charges. The choice is mainly lower premium with Plan N versus fewer surprises with Plan G.
What happens if you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
During your one-time, six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period you have a guaranteed-issue right, so insurers must sell you any plan at the best rate regardless of health. If you miss this window, in most states insurers can use medical underwriting and may charge more or deny you, so enrolling on time matters.
Does Medigap use a provider network?
No. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare, so you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, with no plan network and no referrals. Medigap simply pays its share of the costs Original Medicare leaves to you. This nationwide access is a major reason some people prefer Original Medicare plus Medigap.
Can you switch Medigap plans later?
You can apply to switch Medigap plans at any time, but outside your initial Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting. That means approval and price may depend on your health. Because of this, the plan you choose during your protected window is an important long-term decision.
Related guides
- Medicare 2026 Guide
- Medicare vs Medicaid: What’s the Difference? (2026)
- Medicare Parts A, B, C & D Explained (2026)
- Medicare Enrollment 2026: IEP, GEP, SEP & How to Sign Up
- Medicaid 2026 Guide
- Social Security 2026 Guide
Reviewed by the Guru Gazette Editorial Review Team · Last reviewed June 2026. Figures are verified against official government sources; see our Fact-Checking Policy.