How Much Does a Medicare Supplement Plan Cost?

Medicare Supplement Insurance (aka Medigap) is basically the “gap-filler” for Original Medicare.
If Original Medicare were a road trip, Medigap is the friend who says, “Don’t worry, I brought snacks,” and those
snacks are deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

But how much does it cost? The honest answer is: it dependsand not in the annoying “it depends”
way, but in the “your ZIP code and birthday have opinions” way. Below is a clear, real-world guide to Medigap
costs, what actually drives the price, and how to estimate your own monthly premium without needing a finance
degree (or a stress ball).

The price in plain English

A Medicare Supplement plan usually costs a monthly premium, and that premium can range from
very affordable to surprisingly spicy depending on the plan letter, your location, your age,
and the insurance company. Many people land somewhere in the middle, but the spread is wide enough that shopping
around isn’t “nice to do”it’s the whole game.

Important: Medigap is not your only Medicare cost

Medigap premiums sit on top of other Medicare expenses, including your Medicare Part B premium
(and potentially Part D if you need drug coverage). Medigap helps with many out-of-pocket costs from Parts A and B,
but it doesn’t replace Part Bso budget for both.

What you’re paying for (and what you’re not)

Think of Medigap like a cost-sharing manager. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally pays its share of covered
services, and Medigap helps with many of the leftover pieceslike hospital coinsurance, Part A deductibles, and
Part B coinsurancedepending on the plan letter.

• You pay: a monthly Medigap premium (to a private insurer).
• You still pay: your Part B premium, and often the Part B deductible (for most new enrollees).
• You may pay: copays, excess charges, or a deductibledepending on the plan letter you choose.
• You don’t get: prescription drug coverage from Medigap (that’s Part D), and you generally don’t get routine dental/vision.

Why Medigap prices vary so much

Two people can buy the same plan letter (say, Plan G) and pay different premiums. That’s not a glitchit’s how the
market works. Here are the biggest factors that move the price.

1) Your plan letter (A–N)

Medigap plans are standardized by letter in most states, meaning the benefits for a given letter are the same
no matter which company sells it. The premium changes, but the core benefits don’t. More coverage usually means a higher premium.

Broadly:
Plan G tends to cost more because it covers almost everything except the Part B deductible.
Plan N often costs less, but you may pay certain copays and you may be on the hook for Part B excess charges in some cases.
Lower-premium plans like Plan A can be cheaper, but offer less protection from big out-of-pocket costs.

2) Where you live (ZIP code and state rules)

Location is one of the biggest price drivers. Health care costs, competition between insurers, and state-specific
enrollment protections all influence premiums. In some states, consumer protections can make it easier to enroll
or switch plans, and that can ripple into how plans are priced.

3) Your age and the way the company “rates” the policy

Medigap premiums are commonly priced using one of three rating methods. This matters because it affects not just
what you pay now, but how your premium may change over time.

• Community-rated (no-age-rated): Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age (though other factors may still apply).
• Issue-age-rated (entry-age-rated): The premium is based on your age when you buy the policy.
  It won’t increase just because you get older, but it can still rise for other reasons (inflation, medical costs).
• Attained-age-rated: The premium is based on your current age, so it can increase as you age
  (on top of other adjustments).

Translation: an attained-age policy can look cheaper at first and then creep up over timelike a cat quietly
climbing onto your keyboard while you’re on a deadline. Issue-age and community-rated policies may behave differently,
depending on the insurer’s pricing and rate increases.

4) Tobacco use, household discounts, and underwriting

Many insurers charge more if you use tobacco. Some offer household discounts if multiple people in the home have a policy.
Some offer small savings for electronic payments. And outside certain protected enrollment windows, your health history can
affect your ability to buy or switch Medigap plans in many states (that’s called medical underwriting).

Typical premium ranges and real-world benchmarks

Medigap premiums can run from around a few dozen dollars a month on the low end to
several hundred dollars a monthand sometimes moredepending on the plan and location.
Many people see common monthly premiums in the $100–$300 neighborhood, but “common” is not the same as “guaranteed.”

A helpful benchmark: average premiums

Industry analyses show that average Medigap premiums vary by plan type and by state. For example, Plan G is often
discussed as a strong value because it’s comprehensive for many beneficiaries, but even within Plan G, premiums can differ
significantly across states.

The point isn’t to memorize a national average like it’s a pop quiz. The point is to use these benchmarks as a
gut-check: if you’re being quoted far above typical figures for your area and rating method, it’s a sign to compare more carriers.

Plan-by-plan cost tendencies (what usually costs more vs less)

Since benefits are standardized by letter (in most states), your real decision is a trade-off between
premium and how much you might pay when you use care.

Plan G: higher premium, very strong coverage

Plan G is often chosen because it covers most gaps in Original Medicare, leaving you mainly responsible for the
Part B deductible (and your premiums). If you like predictable costs and don’t want to play
“Surprise! Here’s your coinsurance!” this plan is popular for a reason.

High-deductible Plan G: lower premium, higher upfront spending

High-deductible Plan G can offer a noticeably lower monthly premium, but you pay Medicare-covered cost-sharing out of pocket
until you reach the plan’s annual deductible amount. In 2026, that deductible amount is
$2,950 before the plan begins paying benefits for covered cost-sharing.

Who it can fit well: someone who wants catastrophic protection, uses relatively little care most years, and prefers
paying a smaller premium in exchange for taking on more “first-dollar” risk.

Plan N: lower premium, some copays and trade-offs

Plan N tends to cost less than Plan G because you may pay certain copays (for example, some office and emergency room visits
under specific conditions), and you may be responsible for Part B excess charges if your provider doesn’t accept assignment
(this depends on your state and provider billing practices).

Who it can fit well: someone who doesn’t see the doctor constantly, wants a lower premium, and is comfortable with modest
pay-as-you-go cost sharing.

Plans K and L: lower premium, built-in out-of-pocket limits

Plans K and L generally have lower premiums because they cover a percentage of certain costs rather than nearly all of them.
The standout feature is that they include annual out-of-pocket limits. In 2026, the out-of-pocket limit is
$8,000 for Plan K and $4,000 for Plan L (after you meet requirements for covered services, and with the Part B deductible still in play).

If you like the idea of a cap on spending (Original Medicare doesn’t have one), K or L may be worth a serious lookespecially
if Plan G’s premium feels like it’s auditioning for a luxury role.

Plan A (and other lower-coverage options): cheaper premiums, more exposure

Plan A is the most basic standardized Medigap option. It can be cheaper, but you’ll likely pay more out of pocket when care happens.
It may fit people who want some gap coverage while keeping premiums low, and who are comfortable budgeting for more cost sharing.

How to estimate your own Medigap cost (without guessing)

Here’s a practical way to estimate what you’ll payusing real quotes instead of internet averages.

Step 1: Pick 2–3 plan letters that match your style

• Prefer predictability? Start with Plan G.
• Want lower premium and don’t mind copays? Add Plan N.
• Want a smaller premium and can handle a bigger deductible? Consider high-deductible Plan G.
• Want an out-of-pocket cap idea? Look at K or L.

Step 2: Compare multiple insurers selling the same letter in your area

Since Plan G is Plan G (benefits-wise), the main differences are premium, rate stability, discounts, and customer experience.
Comparing at least three companies is a solid start.

Step 3: Ask how the policy is rated

Find out whether the quote is attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated.
This is one of the clearest clues about how your premium may change over time.

Step 4: Build a “true monthly cost” snapshot

Make a simple monthly budget view that includes:

• Medigap premium
• Part B premium
• Estimated Part D premium (if applicable)
• A realistic “care cushion” for copays/deductibles based on the plan letter

This helps you avoid the classic trap of choosing the lowest premium and then getting surprised by out-of-pocket costs later.
(Surprises are for birthdays, not medical bills.)

Example cost scenarios (illustrative, not a quote)

These examples show how the math can work. Your actual premiums depend on your insurer and location.

Scenario A: Plan G for someone who uses frequent care

If your Plan G premium is $180/month, that’s $2,160/year. You still pay the Part B deductible, but after that, many
Medicare-approved costs that would otherwise create coinsurance can be largely covered. For someone who sees specialists often,
the “higher premium, fewer surprises” approach can feel worth it.

Scenario B: Plan N for someone with moderate care

If Plan N is $140/month, that’s $1,680/year. You may pay some copays and potentially excess charges depending on providers.
If your doctor visits are occasional and you’re comfortable with some cost-sharing, the premium savings can add up.

Scenario C: High-deductible Plan G for someone who wants catastrophe protection

If high-deductible Plan G is $70/month, that’s $840/year. But you could pay up to the plan’s deductible amount in
cost-sharing before the plan starts paying. This trade-off can work if you’re generally healthy and want lower monthly cost,
while still protecting yourself against very large Medicare cost-sharing in a bad year.

When is Medigap cheapest to buy?

The best time to buy is usually when you have the strongest legal protections: your
Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Under federal rules, it’s a one-time six-month window that starts when
you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this period, insurers generally can’t charge you more or deny you
because of health conditions.

Outside that window, you may have fewer choices and could face underwriting in many statesmeaning premiums may be higher, or you could be denied.
(This is why people say Medigap can be a “buy it right the first time” kind of decision.)

Money-saving tips that actually work

Shop the same letter across multiple companies

Because standardized benefits don’t change by insurer, you can often save by switching from an overpriced Plan G to a better-priced Plan G
if you’re eligible to switch without underwriting or if you can pass underwriting.

Ask about discounts (and read the fine print)

Household discounts, autopay discounts, and other perks can shave off some cost. They’re not always huge, but they’re real money.

Consider Plan N if you’re comfortable with modest copays

Many people choose Plan N specifically to lower premiums while still keeping strong protection for big-ticket costs.

Look at high-deductible Plan G if you want lower premiums and can self-insure the deductible

If you can comfortably cover the deductible amount in savings, the premium reduction may be worth itespecially in low-use years.

FAQ: Quick answers people actually want

Does Medigap cover the Part B deductible?

For people who became newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Medigap plans sold to them generally
cannot cover the Part B deductible. That’s why Plan C and Plan F aren’t available to people who are new to Medicare after that date.

Can Medigap premiums go up?

Yes. Even if a plan is issue-age-rated or community-rated, insurers can raise premiums for reasons like inflation,
overall claims costs, and other approved rating changes. Attained-age-rated policies can also increase as you age.

Is Medigap worth it if I’m healthy?

It can bebecause Medigap is often about protecting against expensive surprises, not just covering routine care.
Many healthy people consider high-deductible Plan G or Plan N to keep premiums lower while still limiting risk.

Do I need Medigap if I have Medicare Advantage?

Typically noMedigap generally works with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. If you’re in an Advantage plan,
your cost structure is different (networks, copays, annual out-of-pocket limits, and plan rules).

Bottom line

A Medicare Supplement plan can cost anywhere from “pleasantly manageable” to “wait, is this a car payment?”
The good news is you have more control than it feels like at first: pick the right plan letter for your habits,
compare multiple insurers for that same letter, understand the rating method, and enroll at a time that protects your options.

If you remember just one thing: Plan letter determines benefits; company determines price.
Treat shopping like it’s a real purchase decisionbecause it is.

Experiences: What Medigap costs feel like in real life

Numbers are helpful, but “helpful” isn’t the same as “I can picture my own life in this.” So here are a few
realistic, composite experiences (not endorsements, and not a substitute for personal advice) that show how people
often experience Medicare Supplement costs day to day.

Experience 1: “I paid more each month, but I slept better.”

Elaine, 66, described herself as “not dramaticjust allergic to surprise bills.” She chose a more comprehensive plan
(like Plan G) even though the monthly premium felt high compared to other letters. Her reasoning was simple:
she had a history of frequent specialist visits and wanted costs to be boring and predictable. The first few months,
she winced every time she saw the premium draftedlike paying for an umbrella on a sunny day.

Then she had a year where she needed more outpatient testing than expected. Instead of juggling multiple coinsurance
amounts and wondering what would land on her doorstep, she felt the plan did what she paid for: it reduced the “what will this cost?”
anxiety. Her takeaway wasn’t that everyone should do the sameit was that sometimes you’re buying peace of mind,
not just math.

Experience 2: “Plan N saved me money, but I had to stay awake at the wheel.”

Marcus, 70, wanted lower monthly premiums and didn’t mind paying a bit when he used care. He leaned toward a lower-premium option
(like Plan N) and put the monthly savings into a “health cushion” savings account. He liked feeling in control:
premium goes out, a smaller amount goes out, and the difference stays with him.

The trade-off showed up in small waysoccasional copays and the need to pay attention to provider billing practices.
He learned to ask offices one extra question before appointments (the insurance equivalent of checking the weather app before leaving the house).
His takeaway: the lower premium felt great, but he had to be comfortable with modest cost sharing and paying attention to details.

Experience 3: “High-deductible Plan G worked… because I treated the deductible like a real bill.”

Denise, 68, picked a high-deductible plan after realizing she rarely used medical services beyond checkups.
The lower premium was the headline, but the real success factor was what she did next: she set aside money monthly as if she were paying
a second premiumonly it went into her own savings.

In a low-use year, she came out ahead: she paid the smaller premium and barely touched her savings. In a higher-use year, she had
enough set aside to cover a big chunk of the deductible amount without panic. Her takeaway: high-deductible options can be smart,
but only if you truly have the cash flow or savings to handle the deductible without skipping care or stressing out.

Experience 4: “I wish I’d compared prices sooner.”

Ron, 74, kept the same plan for years because it felt easier than shopping. Over time, his premium climbed.
When he finally compared rates for the same plan letter in his area, he realized he might have been paying more than necessary.
The frustrating part wasn’t just the moneyit was the feeling of being “stuck” because switching can involve underwriting
depending on your state and timing.

His takeaway: even if you don’t switch, it’s worth doing a periodic price check so you understand whether your premium is still competitive.
It’s the insurance version of checking your phone billyou may not change carriers today, but you’ll feel better knowing what’s normal.

The common thread across these experiences is that Medigap cost isn’t only a number. It’s also about how you prefer to handle risk:
pay more monthly for stability, pay less monthly and accept some cost sharing, or pay much less monthly and self-insure a bigger deductible.
The “best” cost is the one that matches your budget and your tolerance for surprise expenses.