Best Medigap Plan G Companies 2026
Most people searching for the "best" Plan G company want to know one thing first: who has the lowest premiums right now?
Here's our current answer.
Quick Answer: Based on the Medicare Supplement quotes our office has compared this year, these are the carriers we most frequently compare for Plan G.
Not every company sells Plan G in every state, and pricing can vary dramatically by ZIP code. That's why our recommendations are based on the companies actively competing where you live.
✔ You're shopping for Plan G for the first time.
✔ You just received a rate increase.
✔ You're wondering if another company is cheaper.
✔ You're trying to decide whether it's worth switching Medigap companies.
Sample Plan G Premiums by ZIP Code
For a broader look at pricing patterns, see our Plan G cost by state breakdown and our Plan G cost guide.
65-Year-Old Male, Collin County, TX (75002)
65-Year-Old Female, Mobile County, AL (36525)
Sample rates for nonsmokers at these two ZIP codes.
In both examples, Aflac and HealthSpring (Cigna) land toward the lower end — a pattern we see often, though it isn't universal, so it's worth confirming for your own ZIP code.
There is no single Plan G company that's best for every Medicare beneficiary.
Since Plan G benefits are standardized by federal law, our recommendations are based on pricing, financial strength, discounts, and underwriting — not on which name sounds most familiar.
Companies We Most Often Compare
Now that you've seen sample pricing, here's who's actually behind those numbers — and why.
At a Glance
Pricing aggressively right now Long-established, still competitive
Important: these aren't permanent rankings. Pricing changes over time and by ZIP code, age, tobacco status, and underwriting.
These aren't ranked winners — they're the companies our office most often compares when someone wants to lower their Plan G premium.
Which one fits best depends on your situation.
HealthSpring (Cigna)
Often a strong fit if:
- You want premium discounts that can reach up to 20%.
- You'd use dental, vision, or hearing bundles alongside Plan G.
- You're comfortable with an online-first member experience.
Aflac
Often a strong fit if:
- You want competitive Plan G premiums.
- You qualify for household discounts (up to 10% in many states).
- It's competitively priced in your ZIP code.
Humana
Often a strong fit if:
- You want a well-established, nationally recognized Medicare carrier.
- You're looking for a company that's become significantly more price-competitive in recent years.
- You prefer a long track record in the Medicare market over a newer entrant.
My take: For years, Humana wasn't among the lowest-priced Plan G carriers we quoted. That's changed — we've seen its pricing become far more competitive in many markets, and it's now a company we compare much more often than we did a few years ago. Whether it ends up being the best value still depends on your ZIP code and situation.
Mutual of Omaha
Often a strong fit if:
- You value a long, established history in the Medigap market.
- You're also considering High Deductible Plan G.
- Their rates happen to be competitive where you live.
Florida Blue
Often a strong fit if:
- You live in Florida.
- You want to lock in your enrollment-age rate through a "Same Age Forever" style program.
- You value a well-known regional carrier with local support.
UnitedHealthcare (AARP)
Often a strong fit if:
- You prefer a nationally recognized brand.
- You're comfortable paying more for additional member programs and perks.
- You already have or don't mind an AARP membership.
Premiums, availability, and household discounts vary by state, county, age, and tobacco status — the sample rates above are examples from specific ZIP codes, not a quote for your situation.
What's Changed Since Last Year?
HealthSpring has become more competitive in many markets over the past year.
Aflac continues to price aggressively.
Some carriers that were among the lowest-priced a few years ago are no longer leading in many ZIP codes.
Why These Companies Are Competitive Right Now
Pricing changes throughout the year and varies by ZIP code, age, tobacco status, and underwriting.
For that reason, we still compare multiple carriers for every client rather than assuming one company will always have the lowest premium.
Why HealthSpring and Aflac Are Competitive Right Now
Based on the quotes our office has run this year, HealthSpring has consistently been one of the most competitively priced Plan G carriers in many markets.
That doesn't mean it's the lowest-priced company in every ZIP code, but it's one of the first carriers we typically compare because of its aggressive pricing and available discounts.
Like many Medigap carriers, HealthSpring periodically adjusts its pricing strategy to attract new business. That's one reason we've seen it move toward the top of many of the quote comparisons we've run recently.
Aflac has also remained highly competitive in many areas, particularly for shoppers who qualify for its household discount.
In one ZIP code, HealthSpring might price around $165 a month while Mutual of Omaha prices around $198.
In another ZIP code, those positions could be reversed.
That's why national rankings only tell part of the story — local pricing is what actually matters for your decision.
Why Humana Is Increasingly Competitive
Humana is a good example of why we don't rely on old rankings.
Several years ago, Humana often wasn't among the most competitively priced Plan G carriers we quoted.
More recently, we've seen its pricing improve significantly in many markets, making it one of the companies we routinely compare today.
That's exactly why we update this guide regularly instead of assuming yesterday's pricing leaders are still the best value.
Why We Also Weigh Longevity
While premium matters, we also look at market longevity.
Occasionally, a newer carrier enters the market with very aggressive pricing.
That can be appealing, but we also consider whether the company has a long Medigap track record and is likely to remain committed to the market for years to come — see our note on why Medigap companies sometimes close blocks of business for more on this.
Long-Established Companies We Still Compare
Mutual of Omaha, UnitedHealthcare, and Florida Blue aren't always the lowest-priced today, but we still compare them because some beneficiaries value their long history, brand familiarity, or additional programs.
In some markets, they remain very competitive.
Now that you've seen which companies are currently competitive, let's talk about why comparing Medigap companies is different from comparing almost any other type of insurance.
Why Medigap Is Different
Most people come into Medicare expecting to compare Medigap companies the same way they'd compare auto, homeowners, or ACA health insurance.
Medigap works differently.
Once you understand how it's regulated, comparing companies becomes much simpler.
Five Things That Surprise First-Time Shoppers
✔ Every Plan G covers the same medical benefits.
✔ Every Medigap company gives you access to the same Medicare doctors.
✔ Medicare — not your Medigap company — makes the medical claim decisions.
✔ The cheapest company changes over time.
✔ Paying more doesn't buy better coverage.
Why Choosing a Company Doesn't Change Your Doctors
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that switching from one Medigap company to another means switching doctors.
It doesn't.
If your doctor accepts Original Medicare, they can see you regardless of whether your Plan G is with HealthSpring, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, Aflac, or another Medigap carrier.
Since provider access doesn't change, comparing companies becomes much simpler — you can focus on premium, financial strength, discounts, and long-term value instead of worrying about networks.
How We Compare Companies
Since every Plan G policy covers the exact same benefits by law, we don't compare coverage — we compare the things that actually differ: local premium, financial strength, household discounts, and how flexible the company is if you ever want to switch.
We start by pulling quotes from the six to ten companies actively competing in your ZIP code, then narrow the list based on price, discounts, financial strength, and your situation.
- Choose Plan G.
- Pull quotes from 6-10 competitive companies.
- Eliminate poor fits.
- Compare final premiums and discounts.
- Enroll.
We run these comparisons through CSG Actuarial, the quoting platform our office uses to pull current Medicare Supplement rates by ZIP code.
Also useful: our Medicare Supplement plans comparison chart, and our list of Medicare Supplement companies we'd avoid.
This page focuses specifically on Plan G.
When I'd Pay More
Sometimes we'd recommend a company with a slightly higher premium if:
- The difference is only a few dollars a month.
- The company has a much longer Medigap history.
- The underwriting process is a better fit for your situation.
- The company offers discounts or features that matter to you.
Why Customer Service Matters Less Than Most People Think
One thing many Medicare beneficiaries don't realize is that your Medigap company isn't making decisions about your medical care.
Medicare approves your claim first.
Your Medigap company simply pays its share according to federal law.
That's because Medicare — not your Medigap company — decides whether a covered Medicare service is approved. Your Medigap company simply coordinates payment according to the standardized benefits of your plan.
Because Medicare controls claim approvals, differences in customer service tend to matter less than they do with many other types of insurance.
That's one reason we place more emphasis on current pricing, financial strength, discounts, and market longevity than on brand reputation alone.
The Biggest Mistake People Make When Comparing Medigap Companies
People assume there's a permanent "best" Medicare Supplement company.
A company that offers some of the lowest Plan G premiums this year may become one of the more expensive options a few years later.
Likewise, a carrier that isn't very competitive today may become one of the best values after adjusting its pricing strategy.
This is one of several Medigap shopping mistakes we see often.
Why Companies Change Positions
Over the years, we've watched companies move up and down the pricing rankings repeatedly.
A carrier may be among the most competitive during one market cycle.
A few years later, another company may offer the lowest premiums.
Then a new carrier may enter the market with even more aggressive pricing.
That's why we don't believe in permanently labeling one company as "the best."
The companies we compare most closely change over time as premiums, discounts, and pricing strategies evolve.
Companies frequently among the most competitive, by year:
*Illustrative of changing market competitiveness, not an exact historical ranking. Varies by market.
This guide is updated regularly because the Medicare Supplement market changes.
Companies adjust premiums, introduce new discounts, expand into new states, or become more or less competitive over time.
A recommendation that made sense a couple of years ago may not be the same recommendation we'd make today.
The "best" Medicare Supplement company is a moving target.
The companies offering the most competitive premiums change over time, and they also change from one ZIP code to another.
That's why we compare current quotes instead of relying on last year's rankings or a national "top five" list.
Has Your Plan G Premium Increased?
Every October, our office hears from Medicare beneficiaries who just received a Plan G renewal notice with a 15% to 20% increase — part of a broader pattern we've covered in why large Medigap rate increases happen.
They want to know if switching companies would save them money.
The first thing we check isn't which company to recommend — it's whether they can switch at all without medical underwriting, and which companies are currently priced well in their ZIP code.
When Switching Makes Sense
- You're still within your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
- You qualify for a guaranteed issue right, so underwriting doesn't apply.
- You're healthy enough to likely pass medical underwriting with a new carrier.
- A currently competitive company is priced meaningfully lower in your ZIP code.
When It Doesn't
- The premium difference is small once you account for the hassle of switching.
- You have health conditions that would make passing underwriting difficult.
- The new company's pricing edge may not last — competitive gaps can close quickly.
Underwriting
Outside a guaranteed issue or open enrollment window, most companies require you to answer health questions before approving a switch.
A recent diagnosis or ongoing treatment can result in a denial, even if the new company's premium looks appealing.
It's also worth understanding how a company prices your policy as you age — see our explainer on attained-age vs. issue-age Medigap plans.
The Birthday Rule
Some states give you an annual window, typically around your birthday, to switch Medigap companies for an equal or lesser plan without medical underwriting.
Not every state offers this, so it's worth checking whether yours does before assuming you need to qualify for guaranteed issue.
Window length, eligible plans, and carrier restrictions vary by state, and new states add these protections most years.
Confirm your state's current rules with your state's Department of Insurance before assuming you qualify.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
If your current plan is discontinued, your company exits the Medigap market, or certain other qualifying events occur, you may have a guaranteed issue right to switch without underwriting.
For the official federal rules on both open enrollment and guaranteed issue, see Medicare's own guide to choosing a Medigap policy.
A beneficiary calls after an 18% renewal increase.
They're outside their Open Enrollment Period and don't have a qualifying event, but they're healthy enough to pass underwriting.
After comparing current quotes, a currently competitive carrier is priced meaningfully lower in their ZIP code, so switching makes sense once the new policy is approved.
The Mechanics of Switching
During your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can switch to any company without medical underwriting.
After that window, most companies require underwriting, though guaranteed issue rights can waive that requirement in certain situations, such as a plan being discontinued in your area.
Since Plan G benefits are identical company to company, switching doesn't change your coverage — only your premium, discounts, and the company handling your claims.
Bottom Line
Today, HealthSpring (Cigna), Aflac, and Humana are among the companies we most often compare for people looking to lower their Plan G premiums, alongside Florida Blue for Florida residents.
UnitedHealthcare and Mutual of Omaha aren't always the lowest-priced, but they're stable, well-established companies that many beneficiaries are willing to pay a little more for because of their long Medigap track records.
Whichever companies you compare, run current quotes for your own ZIP code and age before deciding — sample rates never tell the whole story, and today's pricing leader may not be next year's.
FAQs
- Is Aflac, HealthSpring, or Humana always the cheapest Plan G option?
- Will switching companies change my Plan G coverage?
- How often should I compare Plan G companies?
- Does a lower financial-strength rating mean I should avoid a company?
