What Is the Most Comprehensive Medicare Supplement Plan and Its Benefits

Medicare Supplement Plan G is often considered the most comprehensive plan. It covers 100% of Medicare Part A and Part B deductibles, as well as excess charges.

This plan also covers skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, which can be a significant expense for many Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Supplement Plan G is a supplemental policy that has become more common since it was first made available a few years ago.

Plan G covers everything that Medicare Part A and B cover at 100% except for the Part B deductible. This means that you'll be responsible for paying the Part B deductible out of pocket.

Premium costs for Plan G vary widely, depending on where you live. In many states, costs also vary based on your gender and whether you smoke or vape.

Plan G is a popular choice for many people because it's now the plan of choice, thanks to the phasing out of the popular Medigap Plan F. Plan F is still available if an individual was 65 before January 1, 2020, or if they qualified for Medicare due to a disability before January 1, 2020.

Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by the federal government, with each plan named with a letter, such as A, F, G, and N. You'll pay a monthly premium, which can range from $102 to $226, but it can help you control costs.

There are several types of Medicare Supplement plans to choose from. Medigap Plan A offers basic benefits, while Medigap Plan F offers the highest coverage. Medigap Plan G also offers high coverage, and Medigap Plan N offers lower premiums but higher copays.

Here are some of the main types of Medicare Supplement plans:

Medigap Plan C and Medigap Plan F are no longer for sale to new Medicare members, and about 36 percent of original Medicare enrollees buy a private Medigap plan.

Plan N is a Medicare Supplement insurance plan that offers a lower premium with some copays and a small annual deductible. It's a good option if you're mainly concerned about covering Original Medicare Part A and Part B coinsurance costs.

Plan N has copays for certain medical office and emergency department visits, which can range from $20 to $50. However, if you don't have a lot of those visits, Plan N might be the better deal for you.

Plan N pays 100% of Part B coinsurance, except for certain copayments. This means you'll have to pay copays for office visits and ER visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.

Here's a breakdown of the benefits and costs associated with Plan N:

Keep in mind that you'll still need to pay your Original Medicare Part A and Part B premiums, which are usually around $0 for most people.

Plan F is a Medicare Supplement plan that covers everything in Plan G, plus the Part B deductible. However, it's worth noting that plans covering the Part B deductible can’t be sold to most new Medicare members anymore.

The additional cost for Plan F can add up quickly, and it might not be the best deal. In fact, if the extra cost would exceed the Part B deductible of $257 in 2025 over the course of the year, it's more cost-effective to stick with Plan G.

Original Medicare is a fee-for-service program that provides coverage for hospital stays, doctor visits, and other medical services. Most older adults and those with disabilities are automatically enrolled in Original Medicare when they turn 65.

Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, is a managed care plan that offers a different way to get your Medicare benefits. It's often provided by private insurance companies, which can offer additional benefits like dental, vision, and hearing coverage.

Original Medicare has its own set of rules and costs, including deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Most people pay a monthly premium for Medicare Part B, which covers doctor visits and other medical services.

Medicare Advantage plans, however, often have a network of healthcare providers that you need to use to get the most out of your plan. This can be beneficial if you have a primary care physician or prefer to see specialists within a certain network.

To compare types of Medicare Supplement plans, consider the following options. Each plan is named with a letter, like A, F, G, and N. You'll pay a monthly premium, ranging from $102 to $226.

Medigap Plan A offers basic benefits. Medigap Plan B and Plan M offer basics plus some extras. Plans D and G provide the highest coverage, while Plan N has lower premiums but higher copays. If you're looking for lower premiums with partial coverage, consider Plans K or L.

Here are the main types of Medicare Supplement plans:

Medicare Supplement Plans are designed to fill the gaps in Original Medicare coverage, but which one is the best? Plan F is often considered the most comprehensive option, covering all out-of-pocket costs except for the deductible.

Medicare Supplement Plan F is the most expensive option, but it's worth considering if you want maximum coverage.

Plan G, on the other hand, is a more affordable option that still covers most out-of-pocket costs, but not the Part B deductible.

Plan G is a great choice for those who want to save money on premiums while still getting excellent coverage.

Plan N is another option that's similar to Plan G, but it also has a copayment for doctor visits and emergency room visits.

Plan N is a good choice for those who are willing to pay a small copayment for doctor visits and emergency room visits in order to save on premiums.

There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement policies to choose from. These policies are labeled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

Medicare doesn't fully cover all treatments and services, leaving gaps that these policies can fill. The majority of doctors and hospitals in the U.S. take Original Medicare.

You can use any doctor, hospital, or facility that accepts Medicare in the U.S. and U.S. territories like Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands with a Medigap policy. They must be enrolled in Medicare and accept new Medicare patients.

About 36 percent of original Medicare enrollees buy a private Medigap plan.

Private insurance companies sell policies, which can be a bit overwhelming with so many options available. You'll likely have several choices of plans that have the same letter but are offered by different insurers in your locale.

What they charge can vary dramatically, so it's essential to shop around and compare prices. You can buy any Medigap plan available in your state during the six months after you initially sign up for Medicare Part B.

Insurers can’t turn you down or charge you more due to preexisting health conditions during this time.

To be eligible for Medicare Supplement plans like Plan G, you must qualify for Original Medicare. American citizens and legal residents of at least five years can qualify for Medicare. Having worked 10 or more years is a requirement for getting Part A without a premium, but you can still be eligible if you pay the Part A premium.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan anytime if you already have Original Medicare Part A and Part B. The best time to enroll is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, starting the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older. This period lasts for six months.

You can also enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, starting three months before you turn 65, and ending three months after the month you turn 65. Keep in mind that you may be denied coverage because of a pre-existing condition if you enroll later than this period.

You can qualify for Medicare, and therefore Plan G, if you're an American citizen or legal resident of at least five years. Having worked 10 or more years is a requirement for getting Part A without a premium.

To be eligible for Medicare, you should either be turning 65 or have a disability that qualifies for Social Security disability benefits. Some exceptions to the 2-year wait include ALS and end-stage renal disease.

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B to buy a Medigap policy, and your six-month Medigap open enrollment period starts once you're 65 and enrolled in Part B. This period lasts for six months.

If you're still working after 65 and covered by a group employer plan, your six-month period starts after you've ended active employment or no longer have that insurance. Insurance companies can't factor your health or medical history into your price during this open enrollment period.

You can buy a Medigap policy at any time, but you may be subject to health screening and medical underwriting if you're 65 or older. However, during your initial enrollment period, healthy people and those with health conditions will pay the same premium for Plan G from the same company.

Some states require Medigap insurance companies to sell Medigap plans to Medicare enrollees younger than 65, and each state has its own rules regarding health screening, rates, and Open Enrollment for Medicare enrollees younger than 65.

You can enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan anytime if you already have Original Medicare Part A and Part B. The best time to enroll is during the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, starting the first month you have Medicare Part B and you’re 65 or older.

This special period allows you to enroll without being denied coverage even if you have pre-existing health problems. You can also enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period, starting three months before you turn 65, and ending three months after the month you turn 65.

You can buy a Medigap Plan G policy during the six-month Medigap open enrollment period, which is the best time to do so. This period happens only once and starts once you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts for six months.

Insurance companies aren’t allowed to factor your health or medical history into your price during this open enrollment period, making it the cheapest and easiest time to get a policy. After the period ends, the prices may go up or you may be denied coverage due to your health status or medical history.