Medicare Supplement Plans Comparison Chart 2023

Use the Medicare Supplement comparison chart to see how plans compare, what they cover, when to enroll, and how much they cost.

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans enhance the essential benefits of Original Medicare Medicare Part A and Part B, which are part of the federal government’s health insurance coverage. There are 12 Medicare Supplement plans lettered A through N on the comparison chart. Each plan covers a range of benefits.

Each Medigap insurance company decides which Medicare Supplement policies it wants to sell to beneficiaries; however, certain state laws might affect which plans they decide to offer.

Insurance companies that sell Medigap policies: 

• Do not have to offer every Medigap insurance plan
• They must offer Plan A if they offer any Medigap policy
• Must also offer Plan F or C if they offer any plan

This Medicare Supplement plans comparison chart for 2023 below highlights the additional benefits and certain plan limitations in a side-by-side view.

Medigap Policy Benefits

Suppose you are interested in a high-deductible plan. In that case, compare the options listed in the high-deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G with those of high-deductible Plan F. Although Plan F is no longer available to new enrollees, the benefits of Plans F and G are similar.

If you are looking for a comprehensive plan, Medicare Supplement Plan N and Medicare Supplement Plan G offer the most thorough coverage, including emergency care while traveling abroad. After you find a plan, compare quotes to get the best price for the plan you want. By carefully comparing costs and benefits, you should be able to find a Medicare Supplement plan that is just right for you.

This list summarizes the benefits covered for each Medicare Supplement plan:

All plans cover Medicare Part A coinsurance and up to 365 days of hospital costs after benefits covered under Medicare Part A are exhausted.
Plans B, C, D, F, G, and N pay all of Medicare Part A deductibles. Plans K, L, and M pay a portion. Plan A does not cover any deductibles.
All plans pay all or a portion of Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments.

• Plan K pays 50%, and Plan L pays 75%
• Plans C and F pay Medicare Part B deductibles. (Not available to beneficiaries enrolling in Medicare for the first time after 1-1-2020)
• All plans pay all or a portion of the first 3 pints of blood
• All plans pay all or a portion of Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
• All plans except Plans A and B pay all or a portion of skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• Plans F and G pay Medicare Part B excess charges
• Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N pay foreign travel emergency expenses up to the limit allowed for each plan.
• Plans K and L pay out-of-pocket expenses after meeting Medicare Part B deductibles and annual limits.
• All plans pay Medicare preventive care Part B coinsurance

How to Enroll in a Medigap Plan

The best time to enroll in a Medigap policy is during your one-time, 6-month Medigap open enrollment period. Enrollment begins the first month after you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, an insurance company cannot deny you enrollment or charge more because of preexisting conditions or the state of your health.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement insurance plan at any time. However, purchasing a policy after your open enrollment window ends or when you do not have guaranteed protection rights may affect the price or limit the number of plans for which you are eligible. For example, private insurance carriers can ask for your medical history or deny coverage. Some states offer more protections. To find out the requirements in your state, call your state insurance department.

Medigap Cost

The benefits of each plan are standardized and cannot be changed by an insurance company. However, insurance companies can charge whatever they like for a plan. For this reason, it is worthwhile to compare the amount a company charges for monthly premiums for each policy and find out how they set the price.

Insurance companies usually use one of three ways to set the price:

• Community-rated pricing charges the same amount to everyone enrolled in a particular supplement plan, regardless of age.
• Attained-age-rated pricing is based on your age. So as you get older, the price will increase.
• Entry-age-rated pricing is based on your age when you buy the policy. Therefore, the price does not increase as you age.

Insurance companies sometimes use other criteria to determine the price. For example, they may offer discounts to non-smokers, and women, paying ahead for a full calendar year or paying premiums by automatic withdrawal. Prices also vary depending on where you live. Someone with the same plan who lives in another state or county may be charged a different rate. Remember that the Medicare coverage benefits for a Medigap plan must remain the same regardless of the price an insurance carrier charges.

Ready to Learn More?

Making a decision on which Medigap Plan is best is not an easy decision. However, educating yourself on the different Medicare health plan types, comparing rates and policies, and talking to a licensed insurance agent will help you make the right choice.

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