What You Need to Know About Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
Regarding Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans, we know how overwhelming it can feel, especially when you’re staring at that infamous chart of Plans A through N and wondering how it all fits with Medicare Parts A and B. Let’s walk through this together so you can confidently choose the right plan for your needs—and avoid paying for coverage you don’t need.
The Gaps in Medicare Parts A & B
Original Medicare is separated into two parts:
- Part A covers hospital-related care (think: buildings).
- Part B covers outpatient and doctor services (think: people).
The issue is that Medicare Parts A and B leave gaps in coverage, like deductibles, coinsurance, and even out-of-pocket limits. That’s where Medigap plans come in. These are private plans that help pay for those leftover costs.
Medigap Plan Letters—What They Mean
We understand how confusing the naming is: Medicare Parts A & B, and then Medigap Plans A through N. To clarify, when we refer to “Plan A” or “Plan G,” we’re talking about Medigap plans, not Medicare itself. Here’s how some of the key benefits stack up:
Part A: Hospital Coverage
- $1,600 Deductible: Most Medigap plans cover this fully, except Plans A, K, L, and M.
- Hospital Stays Beyond 60 Days: Covered by all Medigap plans. You’ll have $400/day costs from days 61–90 and $800/day for days 91–150, but Medigap will typically cover those.
- Skilled Nursing Facility Care: Only some Medigap plans help here—Plans K and L cover 50–75%, but Plans A and B don’t help at all.
- Hospice and Blood: Most Medigap plans cover this completely; again, K and L are partial.
Part B: Medical Coverage
- $226 Annual Deductible: Only Medigap Plans C and F cover it, and they’re only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- 20% Coinsurance: All Medigap plans cover this except K (50%), L (75%), and N (which uses copays).
- Doctor Visit Copays: Medigap Plan N has up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits.
Which Medigap Plan Offers the Best Value?
Here’s what we tell most of our clients:
Plan F
Often called the “Cadillac” of Medigap plans, but it’s only available to those who were eligible for Medicare before 2020. It covers nearly everything—including that $226 deductible.
Why we rarely recommend it: Plan F tends to have higher premiums, and those premiums are increasing faster because it’s a closed risk pool. Fewer healthy, younger enrollees means costs rise more quickly.
Plan G
For many people, Plan G is the best value. The only thing it doesn’t cover is the $226 Part B deductible. In many cases, Plan G is $500–$600 per year cheaper than Plan F, so even after paying the deductible out-of-pocket, you’re still ahead.
Plan N
Medicare Plan N is a strong, budget-friendly option. You’ll have some minor copays, and it doesn’t cover “excess charges” (extra costs from doctors who don’t accept Medicare’s rates). But the premium savings can be meaningful, often $240–$360/year less than Plan G.
One More Thing: Excess Charges
If you’re considering Plan N, keep in mind that excess Part B charges are not covered under this plan. These are extra fees doctors can charge, up to 15% over Medicare’s standard rate. While not common in most states, it’s something to be aware of. Plans F and G do cover those excess charges completely.
What About Foreign Travel?
Surprisingly, Medicare doesn’t cover most care outside the U.S., but six Medigap plans do (including Plans F, G, and N). They’ll cover 80% of emergency medical care abroad after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime max.
Advice from KCIIS
Suppose you’re looking for a plan that balances comprehensive coverage, manageable costs, and rate stability. In that case, Plan G is usually our top recommendation. If budget is a bigger concern and you’re okay with a few out-of-pocket costs, Plan N can be a great fit, too.
We’d be happy to walk you through a personalized comparison. Since we work with over 50 carriers and are licensed insurance agents (in all 50 states), we’re able to help you find the right plan without any pressure—and at no cost to you. The insurance companies pay us directly, so our advice is focused on what’s best for you.
Next Step: Let’s Review Your Coverage Together
Are you currently on Plan F and wondering if it’s time to switch to Plan G? Or maybe you’re just getting started with Medicare and not sure where to begin. Either way, we’re here to help. Let’s schedule a time to review your options.
We’ll help you understand:
- What’s covered (and what’s not)
- How rates increase over time
- Whether you’re eligible to switch plans without underwriting
You’ve got options—and you don’t have to navigate them alone.
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