Medicare Supplement (Medigap): Which Plan Letter Is Right for You?
Original Medicare leaves a 20% gap with no annual cap. Medigap fills that gap — giving you predictable costs and the freedom to see any doctor in the country that accepts Medicare.
What is Medicare Supplement insurance?
Medicare Supplement insurance — also called Medigap — is private insurance that works alongside your Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover costs Medicare doesn't pay. This includes the 20% coinsurance you owe after Medicare pays its 80%, Part A deductibles, hospital copays, and more depending on the plan letter you choose.
Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap doesn't replace Medicare — it supplements it. You keep Original Medicare and use Medigap to pick up whatever is left over. This means you can see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare — no networks, no referrals required.
Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage — key difference
Medigap works with Original Medicare and gives you nationwide freedom with predictable costs — but it adds a monthly premium and does NOT include drug coverage (you need a separate Part D plan). Medicare Advantage bundles everything but restricts you to a network. You cannot have both at the same time.
Who benefits most from Medigap?
Medigap tends to be the better fit if you:
Have frequent doctor visits, specialists, or ongoing medical needs
Want to see any doctor in the U.S. without network restrictions
Travel frequently inside the United States
Want completely predictable healthcare costs with no surprise bills
Have doctors who don't participate in Medicare Advantage networks
Best time to buy: your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
You have a one-time 6-month window that begins the month you turn 65 AND are enrolled in Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on pre-existing conditions. After this window closes, you may face medical underwriting and could be denied or charged more based on your health.
Medicare Supplement plan letters — what each covers
All Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government — a Plan G from one company covers exactly the same things as a Plan G from another. The only difference between carriers is the monthly premium. That's why comparing prices matters.
What it covers
Plan A
Plan B
Plan G ★
Plan N
Plan K
Plan L
Part A coinsurance & hospital costs
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Part B coinsurance (the 20%)
✓
✓
✓
Co-pay*
50%
75%
Part A deductible ($1,676)
✗
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
Part B deductible ($257)
✗
✗
✗
✗
✗
✗
Part B excess charges
✗
✗
✓
✗
✗
✗
Skilled nursing coinsurance
✗
✗
✓
✓
50%
75%
Foreign travel emergency
✗
✗
80%
80%
✗
✗
★ Plan G is available to anyone newly eligible for Medicare. Plan F (which also covers the Part B deductible) is no longer available to new enrollees as of January 1, 2020. *Plan N has copays up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
Plan G vs. Plan N — the two most popular choices
For most new Medicare enrollees in 2026, the decision comes down to Plan G or Plan N. Here's how they compare:
See how Plan G compares to Medicare Advantage over 10 years: Use our Medigap cost calculator to project total costs at 5, 10, and 20 years based on your health usage.
Estimate your Medigap premium
Medigap premiums vary by age, gender, tobacco use, and the insurance carrier. Use this estimator to get a ballpark range for Florida:
Medigap Premium Estimator — Florida 2026
Estimated monthly premium range
$100 – $160 / month
Actual rates vary by carrier. Our brokers compare every company in Florida to find your lowest rate for identical coverage.
Because all Plan G policies cover exactly the same things, the only reason to pay more is if you don't compare. Premiums for identical Plan G coverage can vary by $50–$100/month between carriers in the same Florida ZIP code. Our brokers run this comparison for you at no cost.
How to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan
1
Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B first
You must have Original Medicare before you can add a Medigap policy. Make sure your Part B start date is confirmed — this triggers your Open Enrollment Period.
2
Choose your plan letter (G or N for most people)
Decide how much coverage you want vs. how much premium you can afford. Plan G gives the most coverage. Plan N lowers your premium with small copays.
3
Compare carriers — same coverage, different prices
Call us or use our free comparison tool. We shop every licensed carrier in Florida and show you the lowest price for the plan letter you choose.
4
Add a Part D drug plan
Medigap does not cover prescriptions. You'll need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan. We can help you pick the one that covers your medications at the lowest cost.
5
Review annually during AEP
Unlike Medigap itself (which renews automatically), your Part D plan should be reviewed every year. Formularies and premiums change — we'll remind you every October.