Comparing Medigap Plans FAQs

Medicare Supplement plan premiums are determined by different rating systems:

1. Community-rated: Under this system, all individuals, regardless of age, will pay the same premium. However, the pricing may be affected by inflation over time, without increases based on age.
2. Issue-age-rated: This rating system considers the age at which you purchased the plan. Generally, the younger you are when you purchase, the lower your premium will be. However, the price does not increase as you get older.
3. Attained-age-rated: With this rating system, the premium starts at a lower cost and gradually increases as you age. As you continue to renew your plan, the premium will reflect your advancing age.

These different rating systems provide choices for individuals seeking Medicare Supplement plans, allowing them to select the option that aligns with their budget and preferences.

For more information, visit "Understanding Medigap Policy Ratings and Costs."

Medicare Supplement plans provide the flexibility to see any doctor who accepts Medicare. This means that you have potential access to thousands of providers nationwide. If a doctor is willing to accept Medicare as a form of insurance, they are also obligated to accept your Medicare Supplement plan, regardless of the insurance carrier. This feature is one of the greatest benefits of having a Medigap plan – you don't need to worry about whether your doctor or specialist is in-network. Furthermore, you have the freedom to travel across state lines and still have your Medicare Supplement plan cover your visits to  healthcare providers in the area. It's important to note that Medicare Supplement plans differ from Medicare Advantage plans (or Medicare Part C), which typically require you to use a specific network of doctors. When you choose Original Medicare along with a Medigap plan, you have the ability to see any physician that accepts Medicare. 

Yes, individuals with Medigap plans have the freedom to see any physician that accepts Medicare. Medigap plans work alongside Original Medicare and help cover the costs that Medicare doesn't pay for, allowing individuals to choose their healthcare providers without network restrictions.

Yes, Medicare Advantage plans or Medicare Part C generally require individuals to use a network of doctors. This means that you may need to choose healthcare providers from a specific network and may have restrictions or additional costs on seeing doctors outside of that network.

A Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan are not the same. One of the most notable differences is thatMedicare Advantage plans or Medicare Part C require individuals to use a network of doctors. On the other hand, if you choose a Medigap plan and stay with your Original Medicare, you have the flexibility to see any physician that accepts Medicare.

Learn More:  Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap comparisons 

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan M covers.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan L covers.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan K covers.

Medicare Supplement Plan F covers all of the benefits listed, with no additional cost-share aside from the monthly premium.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan F covers.

Medicare Supplement Plan G covers everything that Plan F does, except for the Part B annual deductible.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan G covers.

Medicare Supplement Plan D covers most services, except for two Part B charges - the Part B annual deductible and Part B excess charges.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan D covers.

Medicare Supplement Plan C covers almost every benefit listed, except for excess charges from Medicare.

View table above to see the full breakdown on what Medigap Plan C covers.

No, if you turned 65 after January 1st, 2020, you are not eligible to enroll in Medicare Supplement plan F or plan C. These plans are only available to those who turned 65 prior to 2020. However, if you turned 65 prior to 2020 but did not enroll in Medicare Part B until after 2020, you are still eligible to enroll in these two plans.

No, there is no single "best" option for Medicare Supplement plans. The truth is that each plan has different benefits, and the best option for you depends on your healthcare and budget needs. It is important to assess all of your options and consider how they align with your specific requirements before making a decision.

To assess all of your options for Medicare Supplement plans, it is important to consider your healthcare and budget needs. Each plan has different benefits, so it is crucial to evaluate all available options. You can compare the plans based on their coverage differences and consider how they align with your specific needs to make an informed decision.

Comparing the available Medigap plans side-by-side based on their difference in coverage is relatively easy by using our Medigap comparison table above. Every year, Medicare releases any changes to the Medicare Supplement plans being offered. From there, you can compare all of the available MediGap plans side-by-side based on their difference in coverage.

If you turned 65 after January 1st, 2020, you are not eligible to enroll in Medicare Supplement plan F or plan C. These plans are only available to those who turned 65 prior to 2020. However, if you turned 65 prior to 2020 but did not enroll in Medicare Part B until after 2020, you are still eligible to enroll in these two plans.

No, there is no best plan or one-size-fits-all option when it comes to Medicare Supplement plans. It is important to understand the differences in coverage levels between the plans before making a decision.

The most widely purchased Medicare Supplement plans in recent years have been Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G. However, Plan F is not available to beneficiaries who became Medicare-eligible after Jan. 1, 2020.

In addition to Medicare Supplement Plan F and Plan G, other viable options for coverage include Medicare Supplement Plan N and Medicare Supplement Plan G High-Deductible. These plans may have some cost-sharing with their coverage but also offer lower premiums.

If enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan that requires certain copayments, those copayments will likely be due at the time of service. View our table above to see which Medigap plans require copayments.

The doctor or provider bills Medicare for the entire cost of the visit or service. Medicare pays its portion of the claim, and then the remainder of the claim is sent to the Medicare Supplement insurance carrier. The Medicare Supplement insurance carrier pays the rest of the balance based on the individual's coverage level.

Yes, Medicare Supplement plans are standardized. This means that the core benefits of a specific plan cannot change regardless of the insurance carrier. These plans are also regulated on the state and federal level.

Medicare Supplement plans fill the gaps left by Original Medicare, which can include deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

If you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan that requires certain copayments, those copayments will likely be due at the time of service. This means that when you visit a doctor or receive a service, you may need to pay the copayment amount specified by your Medicare Supplement plan. The exact copayment amounts and requirements vary depending on the specific plan and coverage you have chosen.

Medicare Supplement plans fill in the gaps left by Original Medicare. After your doctor or provider bills Medicare for the entire cost of your visit or service, Medicare pays its portion of the claim. Then, Medicare sends the remaining claim balance to your Medicare Supplement plan insurance carrier. Your Medicare Supplement insurance carrier pays the rest of the claim based on your level of coverage. So, Medicare Supplement plans work in conjunction with Original Medicare to help cover deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Yes, Medicare Supplement plans and Medigap plans are the same plans with two different names. Both terms are used interchangeably to refer to the exact same plan types. So, whether you come across the term Medicare Supplement plan or Medigap plan, they are referring to the same type of insurance coverage.

The core benefits of Medicare Supplement plans are standardized and do not change regardless of the insurance carrier. This means that the benefits of a specific plan, such as Plan G, will be the same across different insurance carriers. These standardized benefits help ensure consistency and comparability among different Medicare Supplement plans.

Medicare Supplement plans are standardized in a different way in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin compared to other states. The specific details of how they are standardized may vary in these states.

Learn more about these details on Medicare.gov:

Medigap in Minnesota

Medigap in Massachusetts

Medigap in Wisconsin

In most states, there are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans. These plans are typically referred to by letters of the alphabet, such as Plan A, Plan B, etc.

Yes, Medicare Supplement plans are regulated on both the state and federal level. This regulation helps to protect consumers and ensure that the plans provide the promised benefits.

Yes, the benefits of a specific Medicare Supplement plan, such as Plan G, remain the same regardless of the insurance carrier. These plans are standardized, meaning that the core benefits cannot change.

Yes, Medicare Supplement plans are regulated on the state and federal level, which helps to protect consumers.

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to fill the gaps in coverage that Original Medicare does not cover.