What is the most common Medigap policy?

Asked by: Troy Doyle PhD  |  Last update: January 30, 2025
Score: 4.8/5 (3 votes)

There are 10 different types of Medigap policies (labeled A through N), each having a different, standardized set of benefits (Appendix Table 3). Plan G is the most popular Medigap policy, accounting for 39% of all policyholders, or nearly 5.3 million people, in 2023 (Figure 3).

What Medigap plan is most popular?

Plan G accounts for nearly four in 10 of all Medigap plans sold, making it the most popular choice among all Medigap plan letters. Plan G is popular because it covers nearly all of your costs with Original Medicare.

What is the best insurance company for Medigap plans?

"Based on NerdWallet's Medigap rubric, I picked five best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies for 2025: AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Anthem and Blue Cross Blue Shield. These companies stood out based on plan types offered, premiums, discounts, complaint rates and nationwide availability."

What is the downside to Medigap plans?

There are a couple of cons to consider before choosing a Medigap plan: Premiums: Medigap premiums can be pricey. Coverage: Medicare Supplement plans don't cover everything, so you'd still have to pay out of pocket for things like dental care, vision care and long-term care.

What is a typical Medigap premium?

Costs for Medigap. All plans: Monthly premiumsAs low as $30-$40. Pricier plans can cost $150-$200+. Plans F and G: DeductiblesHigh-deductible versions only: $2,800 in 2024 ($2,870 in 2025). Plans K and L: CoinsurancePlan K: Up to 50%.

The Best Medicare Supplement Plans in 2024 and 2025

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Do Medigap plans get more expensive with age?

Insurance companies set prices for Medigap policies in 1 of 3 ways: Attained-Age Rating — This is the most common way policies are priced in California. Attained age-rated policies increase in price as you age, because as you get older, you typically require more health care.

Why is a plan G better than an advantage plan?

Medigap Plan G offers more comprehensive benefits than the Medicare Advantage plan and is more widely available. It also provides more freedom for enrollees. For example, a Medigap Plan G enrollee can visit a specialist without a referral.

What does Medigap not pay for?

Medigap plans generally don't cover: Long-term care (like care in a nursing home) Vision or dental care. Hearing aids.

Why is it not a good idea to have supplemental insurance?

One of the most significant drawbacks of supplemental insurance policies is the coverage limits. For instance, with Mechanical Repair Coverage, you'll typically need to pay out of pocket until your deductible is met on your primary policy before supplemental insurance takes over to cover a costly vehicle repair.

Is Medigap being phased out?

For example, Medigap plans C and F will no longer be available to new Medicare recipients after January 1st, 2020.

What percentage of seniors have Medigap insurance?

More Than Four in Ten (42%) Beneficiaries in Traditional Medicare Have a Medigap Policy, But Enrollment Varies by State.

Why do people choose Medigap over Medicare Advantage?

Under Advantage plans, the government pays insurers to provide all of the care under a private policy. Medigap also allows retirees to choose their doctors. Advantage plans operate like HMOs, which control the cost of care by requiring policyholders to stay within an approved network of providers.

What is the best Medicare plan that covers everything for seniors?

Original Medicare with Medigap likely offers the most comprehensive coverage, but it may also be the most costly. A person can consider their income and how much they are able to spend before choosing a Medicare plan. Original Medicare with Medigap also offers a lot of flexibility when choosing a doctor or specialist.

Does everyone pay $170 for Medicare?

Understanding the costs of original Medicare can help you choose the right coverage options. Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.

Is AARP UnitedHealthcare the same as UnitedHealthcare?

AARP® Medicare Supplement insurance plans for retirees. UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company (UnitedHealthcare) is the exclusive insurer of AARP Medicare Supplement insurance plans.

What are the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans?

Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance
  • Best Overall, Best Plan G: AARP/UnitedHealthcare.
  • Lowest Cost: Anthem.
  • Most Plan Types, Best Plan F: Blue Cross Blue Shield.
  • Best for Financial Strength, Best for Customer Satisfaction: State Farm.
  • Best High-Deductible Plan G: Humana.

Do I really need supplemental insurance with Medicare Part?

Supplemental insurance is advisable for those with Medicare to help cover out-of-pocket costs and gaps in coverage, offering financial protection for deductibles, coinsurance, and other medical expenses not fully covered by Medicare.

What is the disadvantage of Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G does have higher premiums than some Medicare Advantage plans and some of the other Medicare Supplement plans. Medicare Supplement Plan G doesn't provide prescription drug coverage or extra benefits that often come with Medicare Advantage plans.

Do Medigap premiums increase with age?

Attained-age-rated: Premiums are initially based on your age when you purchase a policy, and they increase as you get older (meaning you pay a different price at age 65 than you do at age 70). These premiums may be the lowest when you first buy them, but they are generally the most expensive over your lifetime.

What are the 6 things Medicare doesn't cover?

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn't cover include:
  • Eye exams (for prescription eyeglasses)
  • Long-term care.
  • Cosmetic surgery.
  • Massage therapy.
  • Routine physical exams.
  • Hearing aids and exams for fitting them.

Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?

But there are trade-offs. Medicare Advantage plans often have a limited network of hospitals and physicians. And while the premiums are typically low, enrollees could end up paying more in the long run in copays and deductibles if they develop a serious illness.

What plan G does not cover?

High deductible plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. However, high deductible F and G count your payment of the Medicare Part B deductible toward meeting the plan deductible. 2Plans K and L pay 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year once you meet the out-of-pocket yearly limit.

Why do doctors not like Medicare Advantage plans?

Across the country, provider grumbling about claim denials and onerous preapproval requirements by Advantage plans is crescendoing. Some hospitals and physician practices are so fed up they're refusing to accept the plans — even big ones like those offered by UnitedHealthcare and Humana.