Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans can help control out-of-pocket costs in 2026. Here’s what’s new this year, how plans compare, and how to pick the right fit.
If you’re on Original Medicare in 2026, predictability matters more than ever
Original Medicare (Parts A & B) is solid coverage — but it doesn’t include an out-of-pocket maximum, and cost-sharing can add up quickly. That’s where Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) comes in: it helps pay some of the “gaps” that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.
In 2026, a few key costs increased, which makes a Medigap review (or first-time purchase) especially important:
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Standard Medicare Part B premium: $202.90/month
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Medicare Part B deductible: $283/year
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Medicare Part A inpatient deductible: $1,736 per benefit period
Those numbers are a big reason many people choose Medigap — it can turn unpredictable bills into something much more manageable.
What is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan?
A Medigap policy is private insurance that works only with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It helps cover out-of-pocket costs like:
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Part A hospital coinsurance and deductible
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Part B coinsurance (often the 20% you’d otherwise pay)
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Copayments, coinsurance, and certain other gaps, depending on the plan letter
Medigap plans are standardized in most states (plans are labeled A–N), which means the benefits for a given plan letter are the same regardless of the company; the main difference is price and customer service.
Important: You generally can’t have Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time. Medigap supplements Original Medicare; Medicare Advantage is an alternative way to receive your Medicare benefits.
What’s new for Medigap in 2026?
1) Higher Medicare “baseline” costs
Because Medicare Part A and Part B costs increased for 2026, the value of having a supplement that reduces cost-sharing is more noticeable than ever. The 2026 Part A deductible, Part B premium, and Part B deductible are published by CMS.
2) High-deductible Medigap options updated for 2026
If you’re considering a high-deductible option (often chosen for lower premiums), the 2026 high-deductible amount for Plans F, G, and J is $2,950.
The most common Medigap choices (and who they fit best)
While there isn’t a single “best” plan for everyone, these tend to be the most talked-about options:
Plan G: Strong coverage, widely popular
Plan G is often considered the “go-to” comprehensive option for people newly eligible for Medicare, because it covers most gaps except the Part B deductible. (So you typically pay the Part B deductible first, then your plan coverage kicks in per the plan rules.)
Good fit if you want: fewer surprise bills and broad coverage.
Plan N: Lower premium, some cost-sharing
Plan N can offer lower premiums than Plan G, but you may pay certain copays (for example, some office visits and some ER visits that don’t result in admission) depending on the rules of the standardized plan.
Good fit if you want: lower premiums and you’re comfortable with some copays.
High-Deductible Plan G: Premium savings with a bigger “self-pay” threshold
High-deductible Plan G can be a smart strategy for people who want a lower monthly premium and are comfortable covering more costs upfront. For 2026, that deductible threshold is $2,950.
Good fit if you want: the structure of Plan G but at a lower premium, and you have room in your budget for higher upfront exposure.
Plan F: Only for those eligible before 2020
Plan F is still available only to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 (even if they enrolled later).
The #1 timing mistake people make in 2026: waiting too long
The best time to buy a Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period:
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It’s a one-time 6-month window that starts when you’re 65+ and enrolled in Part B.
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During this period, companies generally can’t deny you coverage or charge more due to health conditions.
After that window, in many states, you may face medical underwriting (health questions), and acceptance/pricing can change.
Medigap doesn’t cover everything (and that’s normal)
A Medicare Supplement plan is designed to help with Original Medicare cost-sharing — but it typically does not include:
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Prescription drug coverage (you’ll usually need a Part D plan)
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Dental, vision, and hearing
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Long-term care
So the “complete” setup for many people is often:
Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D (and optionally dental/vision coverage separately).
Quick 2026 checklist: choosing the right Medicare Supplement
If you’re comparing options this year, here are the questions I walk clients through:
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Do you want the most predictable costs possible? (Plan G-style thinking)
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Are you okay with some copays to reduce premiums? (Plan N-style thinking)
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Would you rather save monthly and self-fund more upfront? (High-deductible G)
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Are you still in your Medigap Open Enrollment window?
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Do you take prescriptions that makethe Part D plan choice important?
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Do you travel often or want nationwide provider flexibility? (Often, a reason people prefer Original Medicare + Medigap over network-based alternatives.)
Want help comparing Medigap plans for 2026?
Choosing a Medicare Supplement can feel confusing — especially when premiums vary by company, even though the plan letter benefits are standardized. If you’d like help comparing options based on your doctors, budget, and preferred level of predictability, I’m happy to help.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal, tax, or financial advice. Plan availability, premiums, and rules can vary by state and insurer. Please review official Medicare materials and consult a licensed professional for guidance specific to your situation.
