Choosing your coverage

How to choose a Medigap plan

Medigap plans are standardized by letter, so a Plan G is the same coverage no matter which company sells it. That means you compare mostly on price and the company — not benefits — once you’ve picked a letter. The most important factor, though, is timing: buying during your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period means no medical underwriting.

Reviewed by Scott Stafford, Licensed Insurance Agent

Last updated

The plans are standardized

Medigap shopping is simpler than it looks, because the plans are standardized by the government and labeled with letters — A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and a few others. A Plan G from one company covers exactly the same things as a Plan G from any other; the letter defines the benefits. That’s a gift to the shopper: once you choose a letter, you’re mostly comparing price and the company behind it, not deciphering different benefit packages.

Two letters dominate for people new to Medicare. Plan G is the most comprehensive widely available option — it covers nearly all of Original Medicare’s gaps except the Part B deductible. Plan N trades a lower premium for a few small copays and the chance of an excess charge from some providers. There are also high-deductible versions of G that lower the premium in exchange for paying more before coverage kicks in. (Plan F, the most complete of all, is closed to people who became eligible for Medicare in 2020 or later.)

When you buy matters most

This is the single most important thing to get right. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window that starts when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, you have a guaranteed right to buy any Medigap plan — no health questions, no being turned down, no being charged more for your health. Buy outside that window and, in most states, you can be medically underwritten and potentially denied. If Medigap is your direction, lining it up during this window is the easiest path.

Comparing plans and prices

Since benefits are fixed by letter, focus on two things when comparing companies. First, price for the identical coverage — it can vary quite a bit. Second, how the company prices its premiums and raises them over time: plans can be priced by your age at purchase, your current age, or a community rate, and that affects how the premium grows as you get older. Asking about a company’s rate-increase history is a fair and useful question.

Two takeaways: a Plan G is a Plan G everywhere, so compare on price; and buying during your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period means no underwriting — the easiest time to get covered.

Common questions

How to choose a Medigap plan FAQ

How do I choose a Medigap plan?
Pick a standardized letter (Plan G and Plan N are popular), then compare companies on price and rate history — since the same letter means the same benefits everywhere. Buy during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period to avoid underwriting.
What’s the best Medigap plan?
There’s no single best, but Plan G is the most comprehensive widely available option, and Plan N offers a lower premium with small copays. The right one depends on your budget and how you weigh premium against out-of-pocket costs.
When is the best time to buy Medigap?
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time, six-month window starting when you’re 65 and enrolled in Part B. You can buy any plan then with no medical underwriting.

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