How to Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies
When comparing Medicare Supplement companies, don’t compare benefits first—compare the same standardized plan across insurers.
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan? Medigap Explained for 2026
Last Modified: 10/05/2026 | Reviewed by Keith Armbrecht (NPN 634015)
Quick Summary
A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, is private insurance that works with Original Medicare to help pay some of the healthcare costs Medicare leaves behind.
You generally must have Medicare Part A and Part B to purchase a Medigap policy. Medicare pays its share of Medicare-approved covered healthcare costs first, and your Medicare Supplement then pays according to the benefits of the plan you selected.
Medicare Supplement plans are different from Medicare Advantage. Medigap supplements Original Medicare; it does not replace it.
Key Facts
- Medicare Supplement and Medigap mean the same thing.
- Medigap works with Original Medicare — Part A and Part B.
- Medicare pays first for covered services, and your Medigap policy then pays according to its benefits.
- Medigap plans are standardized in most states and identified by letters such as Plan G and Plan N.
- The benefits of the same standardized plan letter are the same regardless of which insurance company sells it.
- Medigap policies sold today do not include prescription drug coverage. You can purchase a separate Part D plan.
- You cannot use a Medicare Supplement plan to pay Medicare Advantage deductibles, copayments or premiums.
- A Medigap policy covers one person. Spouses who both want Medigap need separate policies.
- Standardized Medigap policies are generally guaranteed renewable as long as you pay your premiums.
- Your Medigap premium can vary depending on the plan, insurance company, location and other rating factors.
2026 Medicare Numbers to Know
The 2026 Medicare Part B deductible is $283.
The standard 2026 Medicare Part B premium is $202.90 per month, although higher-income beneficiaries may pay more.
Medigap premiums are separate from the Medicare Part B premium.
Video Explanation from Keith
What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?
Watch Keith Armbrecht, founder of Medicare on Video, explain how Medicare Supplement plans work, how they coordinate with Original Medicare, and the important differences between popular options such as Plan G and Plan N.
Keith's Take
After helping thousands of people with Medicare, one of the biggest misunderstandings I see is that people think all Medicare Supplement insurance companies provide different medical benefits.
That’s not how standardized Medigap plans work.
If you’re comparing Plan G from one company with Plan G from another company, the standardized medical benefits are the same. The premium you pay, however, can be very different.
That’s why I believe you should first determine which Medicare Supplement plan fits you, and then compare the insurance companies offering that plan in your ZIP code.
For people new to Medicare today, I most often recommend taking a close look at Plan G and Plan N.
Plan G offers very comprehensive coverage. Plan N can potentially provide meaningful premium savings in exchange for some additional out-of-pocket responsibility.
The right choice isn’t necessarily the plan with the lowest premium or the plan with the most coverage. It’s the plan that provides the best balance of coverage, premium and long-term value for you.
Keith Armbrecht
Medicare on Video
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Supplement Plans
Q. What is a Medicare Supplement plan?
A. Medicare Supplement plan, also known as Medigap, is private health insurance designed to help pay certain out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare, including some deductibles, coinsurance and copayments.
Q. Is Medicare Supplement the same as Medigap?
A. Yes. Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medigap are two names for the same type of insurance.
Q. Do I need Medicare Part A and Part B to get a Medicare Supplement?
A. Generally, yes. You need Original Medicare, which consists of Part A and Part B, to purchase a Medigap policy.
Q. Does a Medicare Supplement replace Original Medicare?
A. No. A Medicare Supplement works alongside Original Medicare. Medicare remains your primary coverage for Medicare-covered services, and the Medigap policy helps pay according to its benefits.
Q. What is the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?
A. A Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through a private Medicare-approved insurance company.
You cannot use Medigap to pay the copayments, deductibles or premiums of a Medicare Advantage plan.
You cannot use Medigap to pay the copayments, deductibles or premiums of a Medicare Advantage plan.
Q. Does Medicare Supplement include prescription drug coverage?
A. Medigap policies sold today don't include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage while using Original Medicare and Medigap, you can generally enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Q. Which Medicare Supplement plan is best?
A. There isn't one plan that's best for everyone. For people newly eligible for Medicare, Plan G and Plan N are two important options to compare.
Plan G provides more comprehensive standardized coverage, while Plan N requires some additional cost sharing and doesn't cover Part B excess charges. In exchange, Plan N may have a lower premium.
Plan G provides more comprehensive standardized coverage, while Plan N requires some additional cost sharing and doesn't cover Part B excess charges. In exchange, Plan N may have a lower premium.
Q. What does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover?
A. Plan G covers most of the major gaps in Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible and applicable Part A and Part B coinsurance. It also covers Part B excess charges.
You are responsible for the annual Medicare Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026.
You are responsible for the annual Medicare Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026.
Q. What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover?
A. Plan N covers many of the same major gaps as Plan G but can require a copayment of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for certain emergency-room visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
Plan N also doesn't cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
Plan N also doesn't cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
Q. Can I use any doctor with a Medicare Supplement?
A. Medigap doesn't use a traditional Medicare Advantage-style provider network. Because Medigap supplements Original Medicare, you can generally see healthcare providers nationwide who participate in Medicare, subject to Medicare's coverage rules and the provider's Medicare participation status.
Q. Can my spouse and I have the same Medicare Supplement policy?
A. No. Medigap policies cover one person. If you and your spouse both want Medicare Supplement coverage, each of you needs an individual policy.
Q. Can my Medicare Supplement company cancel me if I get sick?
A. Standardized Medigap policies are generally guaranteed renewable. Developing health problems isn't, by itself, a reason for the insurer to cancel your policy. You must continue paying your premiums and comply with the terms of your policy.
Q. When is the best time to buy a Medicare Supplement?
A. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is an especially important opportunity to purchase coverage. Federal Medigap protections are strongest during this period.
Your ability to purchase or switch Medigap policies later can depend on guaranteed-issue rights, medical underwriting and state-specific rules.
Your ability to purchase or switch Medigap policies later can depend on guaranteed-issue rights, medical underwriting and state-specific rules.
Official Government Sources
Medicare.gov — Learn How Medigap Works
Explains how Medicare and Medigap coordinate, eligibility requirements, prescription drug coverage and the differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage.
Medicare.gov — Compare Medigap Plan Benefits
Official comparison of the standardized benefits provided by Medicare Supplement Plans A through N.
Medicare.gov — Medicare Coverage Options
Official Medicare explanation of Medigap, Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.
CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles
Official source for the 2026 Medicare Part B premium and $283 annual Part B deductible.
Explore Related Guides
What Is the Best Medicare Supplement Plan? How to Decide
There isn’t one Medicare Supplement plan that’s best for everyone. For people newly eligible for Medicare today, the three options I most often want compared are: Plan G, Plan N
Explore Related Guides
Get Your Free Medicare Quote
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans and Prices
Medicare Supplement premiums can vary significantly, even when you’re comparing the same standardized plan with the same standardized benefits.
Medicare on Video can help you compare the Medicare Supplement options we offer in your ZIP code at no cost to you.
Get Your Free Medicare Quote
Or call 877-885-3484 for help from Medicare on Video.