What is the best supplemental insurance when on Medicare?

Plan G is the best and most comprehensive Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan available for anyone new to Medicare.

Because Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, a Plan G from one private insurance company offers the exact same core benefits as a Plan G from any other company.

Top Medicare Supplement Plans

• Plan G (Best Overall for New Enrollees): Covers 100% of your Original Medicare out-of-pocket expenses, leaving you responsible only for the annual Part B deductible.
• Plan F (Best for Pre-2020 Enrollees): Covers every single out-of-pocket cost, including the Part B deductible. However, it is legally restricted and only available to those who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
• Plan N (Best Value / Budget-Friendly): Offers lower monthly premiums than Plan G, but you must pay small copayments for certain office ($20) and emergency room ($50) visits, plus any Part B excess charges.

Top-Rated Insurance Companies

Because benefits are identical per letter plan, your choice comes down to price, customer satisfaction, and company rate-history. Highly rated providers include:

• AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Insurance (Widest nationwide availability)
• Mutual of Omaha (High customer satisfaction and strong claims processing)
• State Farm
• Cigna / Aetna / Blue Cross Blue Shield

Most doctors prefer Medigap (Medicare Supplement) over Medicare Advantage because it avoids private insurance red tape.

Why Doctors Prefer Medigap

• Less Paperwork: Doctors bill Original Medicare directly, meaning faster and more predictable payments.
• No Prior Authorizations: Medigap does not require approval from a private insurance company before giving care. Studies show a vast majority of physicians are frustrated by Advantage plan pre-approval delays.
• No Network Limits: Patients can see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare.

Why Doctors Dislike Medicare Advantage

• Administrative Burden: Advantage plans require time-consuming referrals and pre-approvals.
• Care Denials: Private insurers often delay or deny treatments, which creates friction between the doctor and the patient.
• Restricted Networks: Doctors must navigate narrow HMO or PPO provider rules set by individual private companies.

The national average cost of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance ranges from $100 to $300 per month, though total costs typically span between $32 and $550+ per month depending on the specific lettered plan and your location.

Average Costs by Popular Plan Type

• Plan G: Averages $142 to $180 per month; it is the most popular choice for new enrollees and covers all out-of-pocket costs except the Part B deductible.
• Plan N: Averages $112 to $140 per month; it features lower premiums in exchange for small copayments during doctor or emergency room visits.
• High-Deductible Plan G: Averages $50 to $55 per month; it requires meeting a $2,950 deductible before benefits apply.
• Plan F: Averages $185 to $228 per month; it provides comprehensive coverage but is restricted to individuals who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Key Cost Factors

• Location: State regulations and local healthcare markets heavily influence pricing; monthly state averages can range from under $190 to over $260.
• Age and Pricing Method: Insurers price policies using community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated methods, meaning premiums may increase as you grow older.
• Additional Expenses: You must continue paying your standard Medicare Part B premium separately alongside your Medigap premium. You can review options directly through the Official Medicare Guide.

Yes, Medicare supplemental insurance (Medigap) is usually worth it because Original Medicare leaves you responsible for a 20% coinsurance and has no annual out-of-pocket maximum.

Why Supplemental Insurance Is Worth It

• Predictable costs: Plans like Medigap Plan G cover nearly all out-of-pocket expenses outside of your yearly Part B deductible.
• No network limits: You can see any doctor or go to any hospital in the country as long as they accept Medicare.
• No referrals needed: You can visit specialists directly without waiting for primary care pre-approval.
• Protection from big bills: A major medical event or hospital stay will not result in uncapped 20% coinsurance charges.
• No prior authorization: Insurance companies cannot delay or deny treatments that Medicare already approves.

When Supplemental Insurance Might Not Be Worth It

• High monthly premiums: If you are healthy and rarely see a doctor, paying a high monthly premium might cost more than paying out-of-pocket for occasional visits.
• Alternative coverage: If you choose a Medicare Advantage plan instead of Original Medicare, you cannot buy a Medigap policy. Advantage plans often bundle extra perks like dental or vision, though they use strict local networks.
• Extra costs for extras: Medigap policies do not include prescription drugs (Part D), vision, dental, or long-term care, meaning you must buy separate standalone plans for those needs.
• Opinions on Reddit are mixed: some users note that high Medigap premiums price people out, making Medicare Advantage a necessary alternative despite its network restrictions and pre-approval hurdles.

The top five Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans for 2026 are Plan G, Plan N, High-Deductible Plan G, Plan F, and Plan K.

Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. This means a Plan G from one insurance company offers the exact same coverage as a Plan G from another company. Companies only differ by price and customer service.

1. Plan G

• Coverage: Covers all Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs except the Part B deductible.
• 2026 Details: You must pay the $283 Part B deductible before coverage begins.
• Best For: Enrollees who want comprehensive, predictable coverage with minimal out-of-pocket expenses.

2. Plan N

• Coverage: Covers most gaps like Plan G, but excludes Part B excess charges.
• 2026 Details: Requires small copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits.
• Best For: People who want lower monthly premiums than Plan G and do not mind small copays.

3. High-Deductible Plan G

• Coverage: Operates like Plan G after you meet the annual deductible.
• 2026 Details: Features a high deductible of $2,950 before the plan begins paying costs.
• Best For: Budget-conscious individuals who want lower monthly premiums and can handle a higher upfront cost for care.

4. Plan F

• Coverage: Offers the most comprehensive coverage available, including payment for the Part B deductible.
• Eligibility Limit: Only available to beneficiaries who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
• Best For: Long-time Medicare beneficiaries who qualified before the cutoff and want first-dollar coverage.

5. Plan K

• Coverage: A lower-cost, cost-sharing plan that covers 50% of most standard out-of-pocket costs.
• 2026 Details: Features an annual out-of-pocket limit of $8,000, after which the plan pays 100% of approved costs.
• Best For: People who want very low monthly premiums and expect low medical usage.

You can review specific benefit breakdowns on the Medicare Compare Plan Benefits page.