Understand your Medigap options and find Medicare Supplement coverage that fits your needs, budget, and healthcare priorities.
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan can feel complicated. Medicare Aligned helps you understand your options, compare plan benefits, and make a confident decision about your Medicare coverage.
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, is private insurance designed to help pay certain healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully cover.
Original Medicare includes Medicare Part A and Part B, but you may still have expenses such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Depending on the Medigap plan you choose, the policy may help cover some of these costs.
Medigap plans are standardized by federal rules in most states. Plans are identified by letters, such as Plan G, Plan N, Plan K and Plan L, although plan availability can vary by state.
At Medicare Aligned, we help you understand the differences so you can evaluate your options before choosing coverage.
A Medicare Supplement plan may help reduce some of the out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.
Depending on the plan, Medigap can help pay certain Medicare-covered copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
Medigap works alongside Original Medicare rather than replacing it.
You generally don't need to change doctors simply because you have a Medigap policy, provided the provider accepts Medicare.
Some Medigap plans include limited foreign travel emergency benefits.
The right plan can make certain healthcare expenses easier to anticipate.
There isn’t one Medicare Supplement plan that is right for everyone.
Different plans provide different levels of coverage.
Plan G is one of the most widely considered Medigap options.
It provides broad coverage for many Medicare-covered cost-sharing expenses, subject to the plan’s terms and applicable deductible.
Plan N offers a different balance between premium costs and out-of-pocket expenses.
Plan N covers many Medicare cost-sharing expenses but can require certain copayments for some office and emergency-room visits.
Plan N may be worth considering if you’re comfortable with some cost-sharing in exchange for a potentially different premium structure.
Plan F has historically provided very comprehensive Medigap coverage, but eligibility is important.
People who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 generally can’t purchase Plan F because new Medigap plans aren’t allowed to cover the Part B deductible.
Plan | General Coverage Level | Good For |
Plan G | Comprehensive coverage | People wanting broad cost protection |
Plan N | Broad coverage with some cost-sharing | People comfortable with certain copays |
Plan K | Cost-sharing structure with an annual out-of-pocket limit | People looking for a different premium/coverage balance |
Plan L | Cost-sharing structure with an annual out-of-pocket limit | People wanting another lower-premium option |
Plan F* | Very comprehensive coverage | Eligible beneficiaries |
Plan availability and eligibility depend on when you became eligible for Medicare and your state.
The official Medicare comparison chart should be used for exact benefits because standardized plan benefits and availability can vary by state.
One of the biggest Medicare decisions is determining whether Original Medicare + Medigap or Medicare Advantage better fits your situation.
Generally works with:
Original Medicare Part A + Part B + Medigap
Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan.
Depending on the plan, it may include additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage, dental, vision or hearing benefits.
The right choice depends on your healthcare needs, budget, doctors, prescriptions and preferences.
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. This one-time period lasts six months. During this period, you generally have stronger protections when purchasing a Medigap policy, including protection from medical underwriting for eligible policies.
After your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, your ability to purchase or change a policy can depend on your circumstances and state rules. You may also have guaranteed issue rights in certain situations.
Don’t wait until you’re confused about your options.
Talk with Medicare Aligned about your Medicare Supplement choices.
You don’t have to figure out Medicare Supplement Insurance alone.
We explain Medicare Supplement plans in straightforward language.
We'll help you understand how different plan options compare.
Your doctors, healthcare usage, travel plans and budget can all influence which type of coverage may make sense for you.
We help you understand premiums and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
Our goal is to give you the information you need to make a confident Medicare decision.
Medicare Aligned currently positions itself around personalized Medicare guidance, plan comparisons and ongoing support, with more than two decades of experience.
Preparing for Medicare and want to understand your Medigap choices?
Reviewing your current coverage and wondering whether another option may better fit your needs?
Leaving employer health insurance and trying to understand what comes next?
Not sure which type of Medicare Supplement coverage may fit your budget and healthcare needs?
Want help understanding the differences?
A Medicare Supplement plan, also known as Medigap, is private insurance that helps pay certain out-of-pocket healthcare costs associated with Original Medicare, including certain copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
There is no difference. Medicare Supplement Insurance and Medigap are two names for the same type of supplemental insurance.
No. Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive Medicare benefits through a private Medicare-approved plan.
Plan G is a standardized Medigap plan that provides broad coverage for many Medicare-covered cost-sharing expenses. Exact benefits and premiums can vary by state and insurer.
Plan N is a standardized Medigap option that covers many Medicare cost-sharing expenses while requiring certain copayments for some services.
Not necessarily. Your rights to purchase a Medigap policy can depend on your enrollment period, health circumstances and state laws. Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period is particularly important.
Medigap policies sold after 2005 generally don’t include prescription drug coverage. You may need a separate Medicare Part D plan for prescription coverage.
Generally, Medigap does not cover routine dental, vision or hearing services.
Generally, Medigap does not cover routine dental, vision or hearing services.
