Medicare Supplement Plans: 2026 Comparison Chart

Picking a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) can feel like shopping for a toaster while someone keeps yelling,
“THIS ONE HAS A LIFETIME RESERVE DAY!” The good news: Medigap plans are standardized, which means the benefits for a given plan letter are the same
no matter which company sells it. The tricky part is choosing the right letter for your needs in 2026and then finding a price that doesn’t
make your wallet do a dramatic fainting spell.

This guide breaks down the major Medigap plan options, highlights the key 2026 Medicare cost numbers that influence what you’ll pay, and includes a
2026 comparison chart you can use as a quick decision tool. We’ll keep it clear, detailed, and just funny enough to keep your eyes open.

Medigap in plain English: what it is (and what it isn’t)

A Medigap policy is extra insurance you buy from a private company to help cover your share of costs in
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)things like deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. Think of Original Medicare as the entrée and Medigap as
the side dish that prevents your bill from turning into a surprise tasting menu.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage (a quick reality check)

• Medigap works with Original Medicare. You generally can’t use Medigap to pay costs in a Medicare Advantage plan.
• Medigap helps reduce out-of-pocket costs. In return, you pay a separate monthly premium.
• Provider flexibility: With Original Medicare + Medigap, you can usually see any provider that accepts Medicare.

2026 Medicare cost numbers that matter when comparing Medigap plans

Medigap plans are designed to cover “gaps” in Original Medicare, so it helps to know the big baseline costs for 2026. Here are key numbers many people
plan around:

These numbers can influence which Medigap plan feels “worth it” in 2026. For example, if a plan covers the Part A deductible, that’s potentially
$1,736 you may not have to pay out of pocket for a qualifying hospital stay in a benefit period.

How to read the 2026 Medigap comparison chart

The chart below focuses on the standardized Medigap plans used in most states: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N.
(Some statesMassachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsinstandardize Medigap differently.)

• “✓” means the plan covers 100% of that benefit.
• “” means it doesn’t cover that benefit.
• Percentages mean the plan covers that portion, and you pay the rest.
• Important: Benefits are standardized, but premiums are not. Price varies by company, location, age, and rating method.

Medicare Supplement Plans: 2026 Comparison Chart

*Eligibility note: If you became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you generally can’t buy Medigap plans that cover the Part B deductible (notably Plan C and Plan F).

**Plan N copay note: Plan N typically requires copays for some office visits (up to $20) and emergency room visits (up to $50) that don’t result in an inpatient admission.

High-deductible option note (2026): Some states offer a high-deductible version of Plan F or Plan G. In 2026, the high-deductible amount is $2,950you pay Medicare-covered cost-sharing up to that amount before the policy pays.

What each plan “feels like” in real life (a practical cheat sheet)

Plan G: the “set-it-and-mostly-forget-it” favorite

For many people eligible for Medicare after 2020, Plan G is the closest thing to the old “everything covered” vibeexcept it doesn’t pay the
Part B deductible. After you pay the $283 Part B deductible in 2026, Plan G typically picks up the rest of the standard Part A and Part B cost-sharing
(including Part B excess charges).

Example: You have multiple specialist visits and outpatient procedures in a year. With Plan G, your most predictable out-of-pocket expense for covered services is often that Part B deductiblethen you’re mostly coasting.

Plan N: the “lower premium, a few speed bumps” plan

Plan N often appeals to people who want a lower premium than Plan G and don’t mind paying some copays along the way. The tradeoffs:
Plan N generally doesn’t cover Part B excess charges, and you may have small copays for certain visits.

Example: You’re pretty healthy, see your doctor a handful of times a year, and want to keep monthly costs down. Plan N can make senseespecially if your providers accept Medicare assignment (meaning no excess charges).

High-deductible Plan G: the “catastrophe buffer” strategy

If you like the benefits of Plan G but want a lower premium, the high-deductible version can be a middle path. In 2026, you cover Medicare cost-sharing up to $2,950, and after that, the plan behaves like regular Plan G for covered services.

Who tends to like it: People with savings set aside, who want protection from a truly ugly year but don’t want to pay higher premiums every month.

Plans K and L: the “budget-friendly with guardrails” options

Plans K and L cover a portion of many benefits (rather than 100%), but they come with an annual out-of-pocket limit.
In 2026, those limits are $8,000 (K) and $4,000 (L)after you meet the limit (and the Part B deductible), the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.

Plan M: the “split the Part A deductible” compromise

Plan M covers 50% of the Part A deductible (and covers many other core benefits), which can lower premiums compared with more comprehensive plans.
It can be a fit for people who want more than Plan A or B but don’t want the premium of Plan G.

Plans A and B: the “keep it simple” baseline

Plan A is the foundationevery company selling Medigap must offer it. It covers core coinsurance items, but not the Part A deductible.
Plan B adds coverage for the Part A deductible, which is a meaningful upgrade for many people.

Plans C and F: the “legacy VIP lounge” (if you’re eligible)

Plans C and F cover the Part B deductible, but they’re generally only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. Plan F is the most comprehensive among the standard plans (and also tends to have higher premiums).

How to choose the best Medicare Supplement plan in 2026

Step 1: Decide what you want to optimize

• Lowest hassle: Plan G is often the top pick for predictable costs (minus the Part B deductible).
• Lower premium: Plan N, Plan M, or high-deductible Plan G may offer savingswith tradeoffs.
• Built-in stop-loss: Plans K and L provide an annual out-of-pocket limit for covered services.

Step 2: Check whether excess charges matter for you

Part B excess charges (sometimes called the “limiting charge”) can happen when a provider doesn’t accept Medicare assignment. In many cases, the extra amount can be up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount for certain Part B services. If you want protection from those charges, Plan G (and Plan F, if eligible) may be attractive.

Step 3: Consider travelespecially outside the U.S.

Original Medicare generally doesn’t cover most care outside the U.S., but several Medigap plans include foreign travel emergency coverage (typically paying 80% of billed charges for certain emergency care after a deductible, up to a lifetime limit). If you travel internationally, plans like G or N may be worth a close look.

Enrollment timing in 2026: when you can buy (and when it gets complicated)

Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the golden window)

Under federal rules, you get a one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts when you’re 65+ and your Part B coverage begins.
During this window, you can generally buy any Medigap plan sold in your state without medical underwriting. Translation: it’s the easiest time to get the plan you want.

Guaranteed issue rights (the “you still get a fair shot” situations)

Outside open enrollment, you may still have guaranteed issue rights in certain situationslike losing certain coverage, or specific Medicare Advantage plan changes. Guaranteed issue rules and extra consumer protections can also vary by state, so your ZIP code can matter more than your horoscope.

What actually changes from company to company: price (and how it’s priced)

Since benefits are standardized, shopping is mostly about premium, rate stability, and customer experience. One huge factor:
the pricing method:

• Community-rated: Everyone pays the same base premium regardless of age.
• Issue-age-rated: Premium is based on your age when you buy; it doesn’t increase just because you get older (though it may rise for inflation/costs).
• Attained-age-rated: Premium is based on your current age and typically increases as you age (plus inflation/cost changes).

Smart shopping tips that don’t require a finance degree

• Compare the same plan letter. Plan G vs. Plan G is a real comparison; Plan G vs. Plan N is a lifestyle choice.
• Ask about discounts. Some insurers offer household discounts or electronic funds transfer discounts.
• Don’t cancel first. If you’re switching, avoid dropping your current policy until the new one is approved and active.
• Look at the long game. A super-low intro premium can be less exciting after a few years of rate increases.

Common mistakes (aka “things people wish they could un-click”)

1. Buying based on the lowest premium only and ignoring rating method or rate history.
2. Missing the 6-month open enrollment and learning what underwriting feels like.
3. Forgetting about Part B deductible (Plan G fans: budget the $283 in 2026).
4. Not checking provider assignment habits if you’re considering Plan N (excess charges can sneak in).
5. Assuming all states work the same (they don’tMedigap rules can be very state-specific).

Real-world experiences: what people learn from Medigap shopping (about )

Below are illustrative, real-life-style scenarios based on common situations beneficiaries report when comparing Medicare Supplement plans.
They’re not “one weird trick” storiesmore like the practical lessons people bump into after a few months (or years) of living with their choice.

Experience #1: “I picked Plan N, then my doctor didn’t accept assignment.”

A common Plan N experience goes like this: someone chooses Plan N because the premium is noticeably lower than Plan G. They feel great about saving
money each monthuntil they see a specialist who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment. Suddenly, the visit includes a little extra charge above the Medicare-approved amount.
It’s not always huge, but it’s frustrating because it’s unexpected and feels… unnecessary.

The lesson many people take away isn’t “Plan N is bad.” It’s “Plan N is great if your providers accept assignment (or if you’re comfortable verifying).”
People who love Plan N tend to be the ones who don’t mind asking the office, “Do you accept Medicare assignment?” the way others ask, “Is there parking?”

Experience #2: “Plan G was boringand that’s exactly why I kept it.”

There’s a particular kind of happiness that comes from not thinking about your medical bills. Plan G often delivers that emotional benefit. Many people
describe it as “boring” in the best way: they pay their Part B deductible early in the year and then most covered services feel financially predictable.
When a surprise outpatient procedure comes up, the surprise is the health newsnot the bill.

The lesson: some people don’t actually want the cheapest premium; they want the fewest “gotchas.” If someone has a chronic condition or simply hates financial uncertainty,
Plan G can feel like paying for peace of mind on autopay.

Experience #3: “High-deductible Plan G worked because I treated it like an emergency fund plan.”

High-deductible Plan G can be a win for people who do one important thing: they plan. The people who have the best experience usually set aside a dedicated
cushion (even a small monthly amount) so the $2,950 deductible doesn’t become a crisis. They like paying a lower premium most months and knowing they’re protected if a
year goes sideways.

The lesson: high-deductible plans reward organization. If you’re the kind of person who names your savings accounts (“Vacation,” “Car,” “Don’t Touch This”), you may do
very well here. If your budgeting style is “vibes,” you might prefer traditional Plan G or Plan N.

Experience #4: “I waited too long and underwriting made switching harder.”

Another common story: someone starts with a plan that seemed fine, then the premium rises over time. They decide to switch lateronly to find that outside certain
protections, they may face medical underwriting, higher rates, or even denial depending on health and state rules. This can feel especially unfair because it’s not about
doing something wrong; it’s about timing and policy structure.

The lesson: if you’re considering a switch, it’s smart to research the rules before you need the change. And if you’re new to Medicare, using the open enrollment window
thoughtfully can save stress later.

Conclusion: choosing a 2026 Medigap plan that fits your life

The best Medicare Supplement plan in 2026 isn’t universally “Plan G” or “Plan N” or “whatever your neighbor swears by at brunch.” It’s the plan that matches how you
use healthcare, how much bill uncertainty you can tolerate, and how you want costs to show upmonthly premiums versus occasional copays or a bigger deductible.

Use the comparison chart to narrow your options, confirm your eligibility (especially for Plans C and F), and then shop prices carefullybecause with standardized benefits,
premium differences can be the real story.