Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart 2025

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are designed to fill the gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) by covering costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

This page will explore the most popular plan types and their standardized benefits. I’ll include real-life scenarios, address out-of-pocket costs, and show you why I love certain Medigap plans above the rest – and especially more than Medicare Advantage plans.

Let’s start with our comparison chart for all Medigap plans.

2025 Medicare Supplement Comparison Chart

• Remember:

  Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, meaning that the benefits for each plan type are the same regardless of the insurance company offering the plan.

  For example, a Plan G offered by one insurer will have identical coverage to a Plan G offered by another insurer. However, premiums may vary between insurers and locations.

Next, let’s walk through the most popular Medigap plan types.

Medigap Plan F Overview

Plan F is considered the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan available, as it covers all out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not pay. 

Coverage includes:

• Medicare Part A deductible
• Medicare Part B deductible
• Part A and Part B coinsurance/copayments
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)

Important Note: Plan F is only available to beneficiaries who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. You cannot purchase a Plan F policy if you became eligible after this date.

Medigap Plan G Overview

Plan G has become the most popular option for new Medicare enrollees, as it offers almost the same coverage as Plan F, with one exception:

• Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible.

Aside from this difference, Plan G provides comprehensive coverage for most out-of-pocket costs.

Medigap Plan N Overview

Plan N is a cost-effective alternative for individuals who do not anticipate frequent doctor visits or hospital stays.

Coverage includes:

• Medicare Part A deductible
• Part A and Part B coinsurance/copayments (with some exceptions)
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)

However, Plan N does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible and requires copayments for certain services including:

• Up to $20 for doctor visits
• Up to $50 for emergency room visits (waived if admitted)

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How Medigap Works With Original Medicare

Medicare Supplement plans are designed to complement Original Medicare by covering many of the out-of-pocket expenses that Medicare Parts A and B do not. 

Out-Of-Pocket Costs Include:

• Deductibles:
  •  In 2025, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period. A Medigap plan such as Plan G covers this cost entirely.
• Coinsurance:
  • Original Medicare covers 80% of approved medical expenses under Part B. Medigap plans cover the remaining 20%.
• Copayments:
  • Medigap plans can cover the copayments that would otherwise come out of your pocket for hospital stays or doctor visits.

Real-Life Scenario:

Imagine you have a medical event requiring hospitalization and follow-up doctor visits – here is a breakdown of what those costs look like.

Service	Original Medicare Cost	Plan G	Savings with Plan G
Hospital Stay (5 days)	$1,676 deductible	$0	$1,676
Doctor Visits (5 visits @ $100 each)	20% coinsurance ($100)	$0	$100
Total Out-of-Pocket Costs	$1,776	$0	$1,776

This example highlights how Medigap plans significantly reduce or eliminate out-of-pocket expenses.

• Medigap Popularity:

  Millions of Americans count on Medicare Supplement plans to boost their healthcare coverage.

  In 2023, more than 14 million people had a Medigap policy, showing just how important these plans are for giving seniors extra financial peace of mind.

Additional Advantages of Medigap

#1. No Network Restrictions: Unlike Medicare Advantage plans (MAPD), Medigap does not require using a specific provider network. You can see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare nationwide.

#2. No Referrals or Prior Authorizations: Medigap plans allow you to access care without needing referrals or approval for specialist visits or procedures.

#3. No Annual Plan Changes: Medigap plans do not have the annual plan adjustments that Medicare Advantage plans often implement. That means your benefits are consistent year after year.

Which Is the Best Medigap Plan?

While Plan F offers the most comprehensive coverage, it is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.

Among the available Medigap options, Plan G and Plan N stand out as the best choices for most beneficiaries due to their balance of comprehensive coverage and affordability.

• Plan G: Ideal for individuals seeking extensive coverage. It covers all out-of-pocket expenses except for the Medicare Part B deductible. In 2023, over 6 million Americans were enrolled in Plan G, making it the most popular choice for new Medicare beneficiaries.
• Plan N: A cost-effective alternative for those who anticipate fewer medical visits. It offers lower premiums but requires small copayments for doctor and emergency room visits. Approximately 1.9 million beneficiaries were enrolled in Plan N in 2023.

Other Medigap plans, such as Plan A, K, or L, leave beneficiaries with significantly higher out-of-pocket costs, making them much less desirable options.

Real-Life Scenario:

To illustrate the cost differences, take a look at the following comparison of out-of-pocket expenses for someone with Plan G vs. Plan A:

Service	Plan G	Plan A	Savings (With Plan G)
Hospital Stay (5 days)	$0	$1,676 deductible	$1,676
Doctor Visits (5 visits @ $100 each)	$0	20% coinsurance ($100)	$100
Total	$0	$1,776	$1,776

This stack of costs demonstrates why Plan G is clearly the better option compared to Plan A.

What Are My Out-Of-Pocket Expenses With Medigap?

Medicare Supplement plans significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses compared to Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. 

Let’s review the out-of-pocket costs that do come with a Medigap plan:

• #1. Monthly Premiums: Monthly premiums can range from $100 to over $300. While Medigap premiums vary depending on your chosen plan, insurer, age, and location, the cost savings in terms of deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance are substantial.

Here is a comparison of typical monthly premium costs and total annual expenses for different Medigap plans:

Plan Type	Monthly Premium	Annual Premium	Out-Of-Pocket Costs (Est.)	Total Annual Costs
Plan G	$200	$2,400	$257 (Part B deductible)	$2,657
Plan N	$150	$1,800	$400 (copayments)	$2,200
Plan A	$120	$1,440	$1,676 (deductible)	$3,116

This chart demonstrates how choosing a more comprehensive Medigap plan, like Plan G, can result in predictable, lower annual costs (despite higher premiums). 

• #2. Deductibles: Plans like G and N cover the Medicare Part A deductible entirely, while Plan G only requires you to pay the Part B deductible ($257 in 2025).
• #3. Copayments: Plan G eliminates copayments entirely, while Plan N has minimal costs ($20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits if not admitted).

Real-Life Scenario:

Let’s take Medicare Advantage as an example.  Below is a comparison of typical out-of-pocket costs for various services under Medigap Plan G vs. Medicare Advantage:

Service	Medicare Advantage	Medigap Plan G	Savings (With Plan G)
Office Visits (5 visits @ $50 copay each)	$250	$0	$250
ER Visits (1 visit @ $100 copay)	$100	$0	$100
Hospitalization (5 days)	$1,500 deductible	$0	$1,500
Rehab Stay (20 days)	$400	$0	$400
Total Out-of-Pocket Costs	$2,250	$0	$2,250

These examples show how Medigap plans provide substantially more protection from out-of-pocket costs than Medicare Advantage does.

• Medigap Providers:

  One key advantage of Medicare Supplement plans is that they are universally accepted by all providers who accept Original Medicare.

  According to CMS, over 93% of physicians and nearly all hospitals across the United States accept Medicare (meaning they accept Medigap as well).

  Also, Medigap beneficiaries are not required to obtain referrals to see specialists or be subject to prior authorization requirements for procedures or treatments.

Speaking of prior authorizations, let’s discuss a very important topic.

Big Challenge With Medicare Advantage: Prior Authorizations!

Medicare Advantage plans often require prior authorizations for many services, which can delay – or even deny – care.

According to a 2023 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation, nearly 82% of Medicare Advantage enrollees were in MAPD plans that required prior authorization for some services.

Of these enrollees:

• 25% faced care delays due to prior authorization requirements.
• 13% experienced outright denials for requested services.

By contrast, Medigap plans help avoid these problems, offering hassle-free access to the care you need without dealing with extra red tape.

Consider This Scenario:

A Medigap policyholder needs to schedule an MRI. With Medigap, they can schedule the scan directly with any facility that accepts Medicare.

BUT, a Medicare Advantage enrollee may need to:

• Obtain a referral from their primary care physician.
• Wait for prior authorization approval from the plan.
• Potentially be directed to an in-network provider, adding travel and logistical burdens.

This flexibility is a big reason why so many people choose Medigap plans instead of Medicare Advantage for their healthcare coverage.

Will My Medicare Supplement Cover Me if I Travel?

Medicare Supplement plans provide peace of mind for travel beneficiaries, offering coverage for emergency medical services abroad.

Here are three common travel scenarios that demonstrate how Medigap can save the day:

• Snowbirds:

  Retirees who split their time between two states during the year often face challenges with Medicare Advantage plans due to network restrictions.

  With Medigap, snowbirds can see any doctor or specialist nationwide who accepts Medicare.

• International Vacations:

  Many Medicare Supplement plans, such as Plans F, G, and N, provide coverage for foreign travel emergencies.

  Typically, these plans cover 80% of emergency medical services abroad after a $257 deductible, up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000.

• Dual Residents:

  Individuals who live six months in one state and six months in another benefit greatly from Medigap’s lack of network restrictions.

  Unlike Medicare Advantage plans, which may require care to be obtained within specific networks, Medigap offers access to providers nationwide.

Another Medicare Advantage Challenge: Traveling

Medicare Advantage plans often impose significant limitations on care when traveling outside your home area. Non-emergency services may only be covered within the plan’s network, leaving travelers stuck with unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

Additionally, prior authorizations and referrals further complicate access to care while away from home.

Real-Life Scenario: Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Here are some scenarios that may occur while traveling and a comparison in coverage between the two types of plans.

Scenario	Medigap Coverage	Medicare Advantage Coverage
Emergency Abroad	80% after $257 deductible, up to $50,000	Emergency only, limited coverage
Routine Care in Another State	Fully covered nationwide	Likely out-of-network, extra costs
Specialist Visit While Traveling	No referrals - covered nationwide	Requires referral, network limits

Medigap is clearly the better choice for individuals who travel frequently or maintain dual residences.

What if I Can’t Afford a Medigap Plan?

For those who find Medicare Supplement plans outside their budget, there are alternative solutions that can still provide valuable coverage.

#1. Medicare Advantage Plans

These plans often have lower premiums than Medigap plans but come with network restrictions, prior authorization requirements, and higher out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage can be a viable option for those comfortable navigating these limitations.

#2. State Assistance Programs

Many states offer Medicare Savings Programs to help low-income beneficiaries pay for premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance. Programs like QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) or SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary) are worth exploring.

#3. High-Deductible Medigap Plans

High-Deductible Plan G is an excellent alternative for those seeking the benefits of a Medigap plan at a lower premium.

Although it requires paying a deductible (currently $2,870 for 2025) before the plan covers expenses, it maintains the perks of Medigap plans including:

• No network restrictions
• No referrals or prior authorizations
• Freedom to see any provider who accepts Medicare

Let’s break down what the costs could look like for each of these alternatives.

Option	Monthly Premium	Annual Deductible	Out-of-Pocket Maximum	Key Features
Medicare Advantage	$0–$50	Varies	$5,000–$10,000	Lower premiums, network restrictions, prior auth.
High-Deductible Plan G	$50–$70	$2,870	None	Medigap benefits with a high deductible
State Assistance Programs	$0	N/A	N/A	Income-based, covers premiums/deductibles

Overall, while we do recommend a Medigap plan for maximum coverage, there are other options if you can’t afford the monthly premiums.

How to Enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan

Enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan can be a straightforward process.  Let’s walk through some helpful steps.

Determine Your Enrollment Period

The best time to enroll is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which begins the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

During these six months, you can purchase any Medigap plan available in your state without underwriting or denial for pre-existing conditions.

Consider Your Needs and Budget

Use fact-finding methods to determine the best plan for you. Consider your budget and whether you prioritize a plan that, for example, covers all copays or one that has a lower monthly premium.

Gather Your Required Info

To enroll, you will need:

• Your Medicare claim number (found on your Medicare card)
• Personal information such as your Social Security number and address
• Preferred billing method (e.g., monthly billing or automatic bank draft)

Reach Out to Us!

Our experts are happy to guide you through the options based on your unique needs and preferences. We’ll help you compare plans and premiums from different insurers.

Most enrollments can be completed over the phone. We will ensure your application is accurate and submitted promptly.

Note: Medigap plans typically start on the first day of the following month after your application is approved.

Remember: Some States May Be Different

Medigap plans may differ in states like Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. These states have their own standardized plans and rules:

• Massachusetts: Offers Core and Supplement 1 plan instead of the standard A-N plans.
• Minnesota: Provides Basic and Extended Basic plans with additional riders for customization.
• Wisconsin: Uses a Basic Plan and optional riders to enhance coverage.

Our team is knowledgeable about these state-specific variations and can guide you through the enrollment process regardless of where you live.

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Switching or Dropping a Medicare Supplement Plan

Switching or dropping a Medigap plan is a significant decision that requires careful consideration. People may explore this option for a few reasons.

Reasons for Changing or Dropping a Plan

• Cost Concerns:

  As premiums for Medigap plans can increase over time, some individuals may seek a more affordable option.

• Coverage Needs:

  Changes in health or personal circumstances can lead to wanting different benefits.

• Switching to MA:

  Some people consider leaving Medigap in favor of a Medicare Advantage plan, which often includes additional benefits like prescription drug coverage, vision, and dental services.

   

Implications of Leaving a Medigap Plan

While the reasons for changing or dropping a plan may seem straightforward, the potential risks are important to be aware of.

Risk #1 – Medical Underwriting: If you decide to leave a Medigap plan and later want to re-enroll, you may be subject to medical underwriting. This means insurance companies can evaluate your health status and potentially deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

Risk #2 – Medicare Advantage Limitations: If you switch to Medicare Advantage and later regret the decision, re-enrollment in a Medigap plan is not guaranteed.

Risk #3 – Permanent Transition: The inability to return to Medigap due to medical underwriting can lock you into Medicare Advantage for life. 

Before making changes to your Medigap plan, we highly encourage you to speak with a Medicare expert, learn about enrollment periods, and consider how your health needs may evolve over time.

Final Thoughts

Medigap plans offer financial protection, no network restrictions, and predictable healthcare costs, making them a popular choice for Medicare enrollees.

Picking the right Medicare Supplement plan is an important decision that affects your healthcare costs and access. With options like Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible plans, you can customize your coverage to fit your needs and budget.

Understanding the details (like who can get Plan F or how cost-sharing works with Plan N) is key to finding the right fit.

Consult a Medicare expert to simplify the process and ensure you find the best plan for 2025 and beyond. Whether you travel often, want the most comprehensive coverage, or just need something budget-friendly, there’s a Medigap plan out there for you.

Sources: Medicare.gov |  KFF |  AHIP

FAQs

• How much does Medigap Plan G cost?

  Plan G costs can range from $120 to over $200, depending on your age, location, and tobacco status.

   

• What are the best Medigap insurance providers?

  We work with trusted providers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Cigna, Mutual of Omaha, Allstate, ACE, and Aflac.

• Which Medicare Supplement plan has the highest level of coverage?

  Plan G provides the highest level of coverage for new Medicare beneficiaries.