Compare Medigap Plans

There are 10 Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement plans, available to people turning 65 in 2024, and they go by letters such as A or G. They cover out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay for. When comparing options, it’s important to look at what kinds of expenses are covered, coverage levels, and how much the plan costs. 

How Does Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans Work?

Medicare Supplement plans are distinguished by letters such as A or G. While plans differ, plan components are identical across every insurance company and almost every state.

“In 1990, the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) standardized all 10 Medigap plans,” said John Hill, president of Gateway Retirement in Rock Hill, South Carolina. “That means Medigap Plan G with one insurance company is the same as with all other insurance companies.”

Each Medicare Supplement plan differs slightly in how it covers your deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, and whether emergency medical expenses in a foreign country are covered. Comparing plans requires looking closely at these differences. Some aspects are similar. Among the plans currently available to those turning 65 in 2024, coverage for the four parts includes:

• Part A coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A hospice 
• Part B coinsurance/copay

However, even among these similarities, the percentage of coverage may differ. In addition, different providers will charge various rates for the same plan. 

Medicare Supplement Plan Types Available in 2024

The following plans are available to those becoming eligible for Medicare by turning 65 on or after Jan. 1, 2020. However, not all plans are available in all states or from all Medigap providers. If you turned 65 before 2020, you���re eligible for two more plans that are discussed later. 

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan A?

Among Medigap plans, Medigap Plan A provides the most limited coverage. As a result, it’s a less popular plan. Around 93,000 Americans were enrolled in Plan A in 2021, according to a 2023 report from the Congressional Research Service that excluded California and a few other states.

However, it’s also one of the most widely available plans for 2024, based on our survey of three states’ public data: New York, Connecticut, and Washington. 

Plan A covers only the following benefits:

• Part A coinsurance/copayment
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood

Medigap Plan A could be best for people who only want help covering their coinsurance or copayment for Part A, Part B, and hospice care and can cover their deductibles out of pocket.

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan B?

Medicare Supplement Plan B offers slightly more coverage than Plan A by adding the Part A deductible coverage. It’s the third most popular plan, with an enrollment of around 182,000 in 2021. Here’s what it covers:

• Part A coinsurance/coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Part A deductible
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood

Plan B can be a good option for people who mainly want help covering their Part A, Part B, and hospice coinsurance or copayments but also want the Part A deductible covered. 

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan D?

Medicare Supplement Plan D adds emergency coverage in foreign hospitals and skilled nursing facility coinsurance to the available benefits. It’s the fourth most popular plan out of eight available to those eligible after 2020. In 2021, about 151,000 Americans had Medigap Plan D.

In total, it offers the following:  

• Part A coinsurance/coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Part A deductible
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel coverage

Medicare Supplement Plan D can benefit people who want coverage for most copayments and coinsurance, skilled nursing care, and foreign travel coverage. However, according to our survey of three states, it may be more challenging to find Plan D in your state. Insurers weren’t as likely to offer Plan D as many other plans. 

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most popular plan available to those eligible after 2010, with an enrollment of about 4.5 million in 2021. Plan G is likely to be offered in your state by various insurers.

Coverage is the broadest of all Medigap plans and includes: 

• Part A coinsurance/coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Part A deductible
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Foreign travel coverage
• Part B excess charge

Medigap Plan G also comes in a high deductible version, with a deductible of $2,800 for 2024. You must first meet your deductible before the plan starts paying. However, it may be more difficult for you to find a high-deductible Plan G in your state—according to our research, they’re about half as likely to be offered.

Medigap Plan G can be a good option for people who want the most benefits. High-deductible Plan G can be an option for those with enough savings to pay the deductible, if such a plan is offered in your area.

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan K?

While other plans discussed so far cover costs in full, Medigap Plan K primarily covers only a percentage of the expenses until you hit a maximum out-of-pocket amount for the year. As of 2021, about 70,000 Americans were enrolled in Plan K, making it the sixth most popular plan out of 8 plans available to those eligible in 2020 or later. 

Plan K’s out-of-pocket limit is $7,060 in 2024. You must spend $7,060 on your qualifying out-of-pocket expenses and Part B deductible. Then, the plan will cover 100% of the following. 

Until then, the plan only pays 50% of the following:

• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance/copayment
• Part A deductible

Medigap Plan K is one of only four plans that doesn’t cover emergency medical expenses while traveling outside the U.S. Cost-sharing expectations and lack of coverage may contribute to reduced availability of this plan.

Medigap Plan K can be a good option if you want a cheaper Medicare Supplement plan that primarily covers your Part A coinsurance or copayments but also provides some coverage for other out-of-pocket expenses.

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan L?

Medigap Plan L is similar to Plan K but has a much lower out-of-pocket maximum of $3,530 in 2024. Plan L is the second least popular Medicare plan. In 2021, only about 34,000 Americans had Medigap Plan L. In addition, Medigap insurers in the states we surveyed did not make it widely available. 

Once you spend $3,530 during the year, the plan will pay 100% of your Part A and Part B coinsurance or copayment. Until then, Plan L covers the Part A coinsurance or copayment and 75% of these out-of-pocket expenses:

• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance/copayment
• Part A deductible

Like Plan K, it doesn’t cover international emergency medical care. 

Plan L is an excellent choice for people who want a lower out-of-pocket maximum. It’s also good for people who want coverage for most out-of-pocket costs. 

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan M?

Medigap Plan M is the least popular Medicare Supplement plan. As of 2021, only about 4,500 Americans were enrolled in Plan M. Unsurprisingly, it’s also the Medigap plan that insurers appear to offer the least in states we surveyed. In some states, no insurers offered Plan M. 

Unlike many other plans, Plan M only covers 50% of your Part A deductible for the year. But it does cover all of the following out-of-pocket costs:

• Part A coinsurance/copayment
• Part A hospice coinsurance/copayment
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance/copayment
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Foreign travel coverage 

Plan M can be a good fit for those with savings who can pay half of their Part A deductible.

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan N?

Medicare Supplement Plan N provides fairly comprehensive coverage and is the second most selected plan by Medicare enrollees. It’s also widely available in the states we surveyed.  As of 2021, more than 1.3 million Americans were enrolled in Plan N.

This plan covers your Part B out-of-pocket expenses, with low copays for office visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits (up to $50). 

It also covers the following:

• Part A coinsurance/copayment
• Part A hospice coinsurance/copayment
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance/copayment
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A deductible
• Foreign travel coverage

This plan can be a good choice for people who want flat copays for routine coverage.

Plans Available to People Who Were Eligible for Medicare Before 2020

If you turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare before 2020, you’re eligible for two more plans: Plan C and Plan F. These plans have something important in common—both cover the Part B deductible. 

The primary difference is that Plan C doesn’t cover “excess charges,” while Plan F does cover these charges. This happens when a doctor charges more than the Medicare-approved rate for a service, so the patient has to pay the difference. 

In addition, Plan F is more widely available than Plan C. 

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan C?

Plan C has historically been one of the most commonly chosen Medigap plans, with an enrollment of about 479,000 in 2021. Medigap Plan C offers comprehensive coverage for the following:

• Part A coinsurance/copayment
• Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
• Skilled nursing care coinsurance/copayment
• First three pints of blood
• Part A deductible
• Part B deductible
• Foreign travel medical expenses (80%)

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan F?

Medicare Supplement Plan F has historically been the most popular Medigap plan. Roughly 5.75 million Americans were enrolled in Medigap Plan F in 2021. This plan covers everything Plan C covers, plus Part B excess charges. 

Medigap Plan F is also available in a high-deductible version. For 2024, the deductible for high-deductible Plan F is $2,800. That means you must pay $2,800 out-of-pocket in 2024 before your Medigap plan will start covering qualifying expenses. However, high-deductible Plan F is less available than the standard Plan F.

Medicare Supplement Plan F is an excellent option for people who want the best and most complete coverage for all out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, including excess charges and the Part B deductible. 

Medicare Supplement Select Plans

Medicare Supplement Select plans are offered in some states, such as New York and Michigan. These plans require you to stay in-network by visiting specific providers to access full plan benefits. The only exception is for emergency services. 

When you go to the doctor, Medicare pays a portion of the bill, and your Medicare Select plan pays for supplemental costs. When you don’t use an approved hospital, Medicare will still pay its portion, but your Medicare Select provider isn't required to pay any benefits.

Because Medicare Select has these limitations, the plans sometimes have lower premiums than traditional Medigap plans. You can only get a Medicare Select plan if a healthcare network in your region offers one.  

How to Choose a Medigap Plan

When you compare Medigap plans, there are a few things to remember. Consider these factors when choosing the best Medicare Supplement Insurance plan:

• Your personal coverage needs: Choose a plan that provides the best coverage for out-of-pocket expenses. 
• The type and amount of plan coverage: The main difference between Medigap plans is what they cover and how much they cover. For instance, Plan K and Plan L will only cover a portion of certain costs, such as coinsurance for skilled nursing care. Others, like Plan G, provide complete coverage for most out-of-pocket costs. 
• The plan cost: The cost of Medigap insurance can vary significantly depending on the state’s rating approach, the plan, whether you smoke, the insurance company, and your age. To find the most affordable plan for you, comparing plans from a few insurers is a good idea.

The Bottom Line

Medigap plans help you pay for costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, such as your coinsurance, deductibles, and emergency medical care in a foreign country. There are 10 different plans to choose from, which differ in terms of coverages and costs. If you’re thinking about enrolling in a Medigap plan, it’s a good idea to compare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans from a few insurance companies to find the most affordable plan.