What a Medicare Supplement is
Original Medicare (Part A for hospital and Part B for medical) pays a large share of your care, but not all of it. You still owe deductibles, coinsurance (your share of the bill) and copays. A Medicare Supplement, also called Medigap, is a policy from a private insurance company that pays some or all of those leftover costs.
Medicare pays first. Then your Supplement pays its part. Many people like knowing about how much they will owe before they ever get sick.
What it covers
- Any doctor who takes Medicare. There is no network. If a doctor or hospital accepts Medicare, they accept your Supplement, in Kansas City or across the country.
- No referrals. You can see a specialist without asking your primary doctor first.
- No prior authorization from the Supplement. If Medicare approves the care, your Supplement pays its share.
- Standard plan letters. Each plan has a letter, like G or N. The benefits for each letter are set by law, so Plan G from one company covers the same things as Plan G from another.
Compare the plans sold to people new to Medicare
This chart shows which costs each plan pays. "Yes" means the plan pays 100% of that cost. A percent means the plan pays that share and you pay the rest.
| Benefit | A | B | D | G | K | L | M | N | HD G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an extra 365 days after Medicare benefits run out) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes* | Yes |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospice coinsurance or copay | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | No | No | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A deductible | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 50% | 75% | 50% | Yes | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | No | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | No | No | 80% | 80% | No | No | 80% | 80% | 80% |
* Plan N pays the Part B coinsurance, but you may have a small copay for some office visits and emergency room visits. HD G is High-deductible Plan G. It pays the same benefits as Plan G after you meet its yearly deductible. Plans K and L have a yearly out-of-pocket limit that changes each year. Ask us for this year's amount. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap plan comparison.
About Plans C and F: These plans pay the Part B deductible. By law, only people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can buy them. If you are new to Medicare now, Plan G is the closest match.
Plan G
What it covers: Everything in the chart except the Part B deductible. That includes Part B excess charges, which are extra fees a small number of doctors are allowed to bill above Medicare's amount.
What you pay: A monthly premium, plus the yearly Part B deductible. After that, Medicare-covered care usually costs you little or nothing more. See the deductible on our Medicare costs page.
Who it fits best: People who want simple, steady costs and do not want to think about bills when they see a doctor.
Plan N
What it covers: Most of what Plan G covers. It does not cover Part B excess charges, and you may pay a small copay for some office visits. You may also have a copay for an emergency room visit when you are not admitted to the hospital.
What you pay: A monthly premium, the Part B deductible, and those small copays when they apply. Amounts are on our Medicare costs page.
Who it fits best: People who are fine with a few small copays, whose doctors accept Medicare's amount as full payment, and who want to weigh Plan N's premium against Plan G's.
High-deductible Plan G
What it covers: The same benefits as Plan G, but only after you meet a yearly deductible.
What you pay: A monthly premium, plus your Medicare costs until you reach the deductible. The yearly amount is on our Medicare costs page.
Who it fits best: People who could cover the deductible in a year with a lot of care, and who want to weigh a different premium against that risk.
Plan F
Plan F covers everything in the chart, including the Part B deductible. It is only for people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you have Plan F today, you can keep it. We can also compare it with Plan G for you, so you can decide.
What you pay
Each company sets its own price. Your premium depends on the company, your age, your ZIP code, and whether you use tobacco. Prices can also go up over time. Because the benefits are the same for each letter, it makes sense to compare companies for the same plan.
Missouri and Kansas companies price plans differently, and the two states have different rules about switching. If you live near the state line or plan to move, read Missouri vs Kansas rules.
Add a drug plan
Medicare Supplements do not include prescription drug coverage. Most people add a separate Part D drug plan. We check your medicines and pharmacy against the plans we offer.
Timing matters: Medigap Open Enrollment
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window. It starts the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During that time, a company cannot turn you down or charge you more because of your health. After it ends, companies in most cases can ask health questions and say no. See enrollment periods for more.
Call us first. Before you buy, drop, or switch a Supplement, talk with a local agent. It is free, and the price is the same as going direct. Call (816) 307-6165 or book a free review.
Questions people ask us
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Both cover most of your costs after Original Medicare pays. Plan G pays Part B excess charges. Plan N does not, and it may have small copays for some office and emergency room visits. Compare the premiums for both in your ZIP code before you choose.
Can I see any doctor with a Medicare Supplement?
You can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. There is no network and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.
Is Plan G the same with every insurance company?
Yes. The benefits of each plan letter are set by law, so Plan G covers the same things no matter which company sells it. The price and the company service are what differ.
Does a Medicare Supplement cover my prescriptions?
No. Medicare Supplements do not include drug coverage. Most people pair one with a separate Part D drug plan.
Can I still buy Plan F?
Only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you became eligible on or after that date, Plan G is the closest choice.
What happens if I wait to buy a Medicare Supplement?
Outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a company may ask health questions and can turn you down or charge more in most cases. Call us before you decide to wait.