Supplemental Medicare insurance, often called Medigap, is additional health coverage you can buy to help pay some of the costs that Original Medicare does not cover. Original Medicare includes Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance).
It helps pay many health care costs, but it does not cover everything.
Medigap policies are sold by private insurance companies and work with Original Medicare to cover coinsurance, copayments, deductibles, and other out‑of‑pocket costs that can add up over time.
Whether supplemental insurance is worth the cost depends on your health needs, finances, and how you want to manage unexpected medical bills.
Calculate Your 2026 COLA Increase →Medicare Supplemental Insurance (Medigap)
Medicare Supplement Insurance, or Medigap, is private health insurance you can buy to supplement Original Medicare. It helps pay the costs that Medicare does not cover, like deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.
Medigap policies are standardized. That means each policy with the same letter (like Plan G or Plan N) must offer the same basic benefits, no matter which insurance company sells it. However, premiums can vary among insurers.
To buy a Medigap policy, you must already have Original Medicare. You cannot have Medigap with Medicare Advantage.
How Much Does Supplemental Medicare Insurance Cost?
The cost of Medigap varies widely. Premiums depend on the plan type, your age, where you live, and the insurance company you choose. There is no single set price.
Some plans may cost less than $50 per month for basic coverage. Others, especially those that cover most out‑of‑pocket expenses, may be well over $200 each month. Premiums can increase over time, and policies that use attained‑age pricing may rise as you get older.
In addition to Medigap costs, you still pay your Medicare Part B premium. For most people in 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month.
What Costs Does Medigap Help You Avoid?
Original Medicare does not limit how much you might pay out of pocket for services that require coinsurance or deductibles. Medigap can reduce or eliminate these gaps.
For example, Medicare Part B generally pays 80 percent of approved costs for doctor services and outpatient care after you pay your deductible. You must pay the remaining 20 percent yourself if you do not have supplemental coverage. Medigap plans can pay all or part of these costs.
Medigap may also cover additional hospital costs, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and emergency care when you travel outside the United States.
Does Medigap Include Prescription Drug Coverage?
Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage. To get drug coverage, you must join a Medicare Part D plan separately.
Part D plans have their own premiums, deductibles, and cost‑sharing. Most people choose a Part D plan alongside Medigap to ensure both medical service gaps and drug costs are covered.
What Happens If I Enroll Late?
Your best chance to get Medigap at the lowest cost and without health underwriting is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
This period begins the first month you have Medicare Part B and lasts for six months. During this window, you can buy any Medigap policy available in your area and cannot be charged more due to preexisting conditions.
After this period, insurance companies may use medical underwriting. That means they can charge more or refuse coverage based on your health status.
How Does Medigap Compare With Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative to Original Medicare. They bundle Part A and Part B benefits and often include Part D drug coverage. Many have low or $0 additional premiums.
However, they usually require you to use a defined network of providers and may require referrals for specialists.
Medigap does not replace Medicare. It works with Original Medicare to fill gaps. Medigap gives you more freedom to see any provider who accepts Medicare, but you pay a separate premium for that freedom.
Who Might Benefit Most From Supplemental Insurance?
People with regular medical needs or chronic conditions may find that Medigap significantly reduces out‑of‑pocket costs over time.
If you expect hospital stays, frequent doctor visits, or complicated treatments, a Medigap plan that pays your coinsurance and copays could lower overall expenses.
On the other hand, people in good health with limited medical needs might find that the premium cost outweighs the amount saved on services they rarely use.
Some choose Medicare Advantage instead to reduce monthly costs and include drug coverage.
How Do I Decide If Supplemental Medicare Insurance Is Worth It?
To decide if Medigap is worth the cost, figure out:
- Your budget for monthly premiums
- Your average medical needs
- Your comfort with unpredictable medical bills
- Whether you want freedom to see any Medicare‑accepting doctor
You can use the tools on the official Medicare website to compare Medigap plans and premiums in your area.
Is Medigap Coverage the Same in Every State?
Standardized Medigap policy benefits are the same across insurance companies in most states. However, a few states set their own rules.
Also, plan availability and pricing can vary by location. Always check what options exist where you live before making a decision.
