Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart

Most people come here for one reason: the Medicare Supplement comparison chart. Unfortunately, it's also one of the most confusing charts Medicare publishes. After helping people choose Medigap plans for more than 15 years, I've learned that most people stare at it for a few minutes, then still aren't sure which plan fits them. Let's make it simple.

2026 Medicare Supplement Comparison Chart

*High-deductible plans require you to pay covered costs out of pocket up to $2,950 (2026) before the plan pays. Plans C and F are only available to those who became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020.
**For Plans K and L, once you meet the annual Part B deductible and out-of-pocket limit, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
***Plan N pays 100% of Part B coinsurance, but you're responsible for up to a $20 copay for some office visits and $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted).

Don't worry if that chart feels overwhelming — I rarely expect clients to compare every row themselves. Instead, I teach them to recognize a few simple patterns that narrow the decision down to three plans in less than five minutes.

Why This Chart Is So Confusing

One reason this chart is so confusing is that it was designed to show every standardized Medigap plan — even though many of those plans are rarely sold today. Plans C and F are closed to most new Medicare beneficiaries, while Plans A, B, D, K, L, and M make up only a small share of enrollments nationwide. That's why most agents, myself included, spend almost all of their time comparing Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G instead of walking through all twelve options.

How to Read the Chart

Each column is a plan. Each row is a benefit. A percentage tells you how much of that cost the plan picks up — the rest is on you. Every insurer's Plan G covers exactly the same benefits as every other insurer's Plan G. The only things that change company to company are the premium, the discounts, and the service you get when you call in.

If you don't want to trace every row yourself, here's the shortcut I give clients:

The 3 Plans Most People Choose

*Approximate share of standardized Medigap enrollment nationwide; figures vary by source and reporting year and should be periodically re-verified.

Plan G

One of the most comprehensive options available to people who first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. It covers everything except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). With more than 5 million people enrolled nationwide, it's the most popular Medigap plan in the country — and it's the one I recommend most often to clients who want to stop thinking about medical bills entirely.

Plan N

A trade-off plan: lower premium in exchange for small, predictable copays (up to $20 for some office visits, $50 for an ER visit if you're not admitted). It's now the third most popular Medigap plan, with about 1.5 million enrollees, and it keeps gaining ground as people look for ways to bring the premium down without giving up much protection. See our full Plan G vs. Plan N comparison if you're deciding between the two.

High-Deductible Plan G (HDG)

Same coverage as Plan G, but you pay the first $2,950 (2026) yourself before it kicks in. The premium is dramatically lower. This can fit someone who prioritizes substantial premium savings, has enough savings to handle the deductible, and is comfortable taking on more costs during a high-use year.

Which Plan Fits Your Situation?

Coverage charts don't make decisions — people do. Here's how I actually walk clients through it:

A more realistic example than a generic hospital stay: Mary is 67. Here's what her care looks like in a typical year:

• Cardiologist and primary doctor visits, on a regular basis
• An endocrinologist for her diabetes
• Blood work every three months
• An MRI once a year

Under Plan G, assuming those services are Medicare-covered and Medicare-approved, all of that is $0 out of pocket beyond her Part B deductible.

Under Plan N, Mary could owe up to a $20 copay for certain office visits. Whether Plan N saves her money overall depends on how many copays she incurs and how much less its annual premium is than Plan G in her ZIP code.

That's the actual comparison to run — not a single hospital stay.

What Every Medigap Plan Includes

• Nationwide access to any provider that accepts Medicare. Medigap itself doesn't impose networks, referrals, or prior authorization — but because it supplements Original Medicare, any coverage requirements Medicare itself imposes still apply (Original Medicare began piloting prior authorization for select services in some states starting January 1, 2026)
• Guaranteed renewable coverage — as long as you pay the premium and remain truthful on your application, the insurer generally cannot cancel your policy because your health changes or you use the coverage
• Standardized benefits — a Plan G is a Plan G no matter which company sells it

What Medigap Doesn't Cover

Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare — it doesn't replace parts of the system Original Medicare never covered in the first place. That means no dental, vision, or hearing benefits, no routine prescription drug coverage (you'll need a standalone Part D plan), and no long-term custodial care. If those matter to you, they need to be planned for separately from your Medigap decision.

The Less Common Medigap Plans

What to Compare After Choosing a Plan Letter

This is the part most comparison charts skip entirely, and it's where the real decision actually happens. Once you know you want a Plan G, don't compare benefits anymore — they're identical everywhere. Compare:

• Monthly premium for your specific age and ZIP code
• Household discounts (often 5–12% if a spouse or partner also enrolls)
• Attained-age vs. issue-age pricing — attained-age premiums can increase as you get older, in addition to general rate increases. Issue-age premiums don't increase because of your age, but they can still rise because of inflation, claims experience, and company-wide rate adjustments
• The company's rate-increase history in your state — see our breakdown of the top-rated Medigap companies
• Financial strength ratings (AM Best, etc.)
• Customer service reputation — claims are automatic, but you'll still call in for billing and enrollment questions

For a full breakdown of premiums by plan and state, see our Medigap costs guide.

Mistakes People Make

A few of the most common ones I see (see our full list of Medigap shopping mistakes to avoid):

• Shopping by company before deciding on a plan letter
• Assuming a more expensive company means better coverage (it doesn't — the benefits are identical)
• Buying Plan F solely for "more coverage" without comparing its additional premium against the Part B deductible that Plan F pays
• Choosing Medicare Advantage without understanding the network and referral restrictions, then trying to switch back later

Enrollment itself is a short process once you've picked a plan — here's more on the Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period. And if you're still weighing Medigap against Medicare Advantage, that comparison deserves its own page — here's ours.