Medigap Plans: Costs, Benefits, and Enrollment

Medigap plans are supplemental insurance policies designed to help fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage. These plans can be a lifesaver for many seniors, covering expenses like copays, deductibles, and coinsurance.

There are 10 standardized Medigap plans, labeled A through N, each offering different levels of coverage. Plan F, for example, is one of the most popular options, covering 100% of Medicare-approved expenses, except for the Medicare Part B deductible.

Medigap plans can be purchased from private insurance companies, and enrollment is typically during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), from October 15 to December 7.

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Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government and are named with a letter, like A, F, G, and N. You'll pay a monthly premium, but it can help you control costs.

There are two main categories of Medigap plans: Plans A through G, which provide benefits at higher premiums with limited out-of-pocket costs, and Plans K through N, which are cost-sharing plans offering similar benefits at lower premiums with greater out-of-pocket costs.

Suggestion: Cigna Medicare Supplement Plan N

Here's a brief overview of the benefits covered by each plan category:

Some plans, like Plan N, pay 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for certain copayments, such as $20 for some office visits and up to a $50 copayment for ER visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.

You can choose from a variety of Medicare Supplement plans offered by Anthem, including plans like A, F, G, and N. Each plan is standardized by the federal government and has a unique set of benefits.

To sign up for Medicare Supplement, you must have Original Medicare Parts A and B. This is a requirement to ensure you have the necessary coverage to supplement your Medicare benefits.

The plans with the most coverage will have higher premiums, so it's essential to consider your budget when choosing a plan. You can expect to pay a monthly premium, for example, between $102 - $226.

Anthem also offers standalone plans for prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage, which can be purchased for an additional premium. This is because Medicare Supplement plans do not include these benefits.

Plan G is a popular choice, but it's only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you're eligible for Plan G+, it's a high deductible plan that pays the same benefits as Plan G after a calendar year deductible of $2,870 in 2025.

You can explore Anthem Prescription Drug Plans and Anthem Dental And Vision Plans to add these benefits to your coverage. This will give you a more comprehensive insurance package that meets your needs.

A Medicare Supplement plan can pay for out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, including your Medicare deductibles, the 20% coinsurance you pay for Part B medical services, and hospital costs after you run out of Medicare-covered days.

Anthem plans come with value-added programs like SilverSneakers fitness memberships, ScriptSave/WellRx, a prescription savings program, and SpecialOffers, which provides discounts on vitamins and weight loss programs.

See what others are reading: Medigap Plan G vs N

Medigap Plan F is one of the most comprehensive plans available, covering a wide range of out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare.

Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, so if you're one of the lucky ones, you can take advantage of this broad coverage.

Plan F has the highest premium among all the Medigap plans, with a monthly cost ranging from $577.28 to $610.31.

The plan pays 100% of excess charges above what Medicare will pay on Part B, making it a great option for those who want to minimize their out-of-pocket costs.

Plan F covers the same benefits as Plan C, but adds 100% coverage of excess charges, making it a more comprehensive option.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits you can expect with Plan F:

Keep in mind that Plan F has the highest premium among all the Medigap plans, but it's a great option for those who want comprehensive coverage and are willing to pay a bit more.

Medigap plans are lettered A–N, but insurance companies no longer offer plans E, H, I, and J due to changing regulations.

A person can find a comparison chart of the various plans on the Medicare.gov website.

Medigap plans work with your Original Medicare to help pay for most or all of your out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn't cover, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.

If a person was eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, they may still be able to purchase Plan C or F.

Medicare can be complex, but understanding some key terms can make a big difference. Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know:

Out-of-pocket costs are the amounts you must pay for medical care when Medicare doesn't cover the total cost. This can include deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and premiums.

A deductible is the annual amount you must spend before your insurer starts to fund your treatments. Think of it like a savings goal you need to reach before your insurance kicks in.

Coinsurance is the percentage of treatment costs you must pay yourself. For Medicare Part B, this is a fixed 20% of the total cost.

Copayments are fixed dollar amounts you pay when receiving certain treatments, like prescription drugs.

Here's a breakdown of these costs:

Medicare Supplement plans, also known as Medigap, can be a lifesaver for those looking to supplement their Original Medicare coverage.

A Medigap policy can help cover costs such as deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that Original Medicare doesn't cover.

Original Medicare, which includes Parts A and B, has some gaps in coverage that a Medigap policy can fill.

These plans make the coverage provided by Original Medicare more complete.

The four Basic Benefits of a Medigap policy include hospitalization, medical expenses, blood, and hospice care.

Plan B, a specific type of Medigap policy, also covers the Part A inpatient deductible, which is $1,676 in 2025.

This deductible is the amount you pay before Medicare begins to pay for hospitalizations.

The monthly premium for Plan B is between $275.28 and $290.94.

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There are 10 Medigap plans available, lettered A–N. However, plans E, H, I, and J are no longer offered by insurance companies due to changing regulations.

You can still purchase Plan C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, but new Medicare recipients cannot buy these plans.

The Medicare.gov website has a comparison chart to help you choose the best Medigap plan for your needs.

Plan K and Plan L will pay 100% of covered services after you meet the out-of-pocket limits, which are $7,220 for Plan K and $3,610 for Plan L in 2025.

You'll still need to pay the annual Part B deductible, which is $185 in 2025, in addition to meeting the out-of-pocket limits.

High-deductible Medigap policies, like Plan F and Plan G, have lower monthly premiums but require you to pay a deductible before the plan provider pays for Medicare-covered costs.

For your interest: Medigap Plan G High Deductible

Plan N is a popular Medigap option that offers a lower premium with some cost-sharing. It's a great choice for those mainly concerned about covering Original Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance costs.

A different take: Medicare Part C vs Medigap

You'll need to continue paying your Original Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, which is usually $0 for most people. Plan N combines some cost-sharing with lower premiums, making it a more affordable option.

One of the benefits of Plan N is that it covers 100% of Medicare Part B coinsurance costs after the annual deductible is met, which is $257 in 2025. However, you'll still need to pay a $20 copay for office visits and up to a $50 copay for emergency room visits or any Medicare Part B excess charges.

Plan N is also a good option for those who are already accustomed to cost-sharing, as it's similar to Plan C but without coverage of the Part B Deductible. The monthly premium for Plan N ranges from $241.14 to $254.94.

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