Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans in 2026 [Plan G vs. Plan N vs. Plan F]

By Nick

Published in Finance

March 22, 2026

5 min read

Key Takeaways

Medigap Plan G is the best value for most new enrollees in 2026 — covers virtually everything except the Part B deductible ($257)
Plan F (most comprehensive) is only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020
Plan N is cheaper than G with modest cost-sharing — a good choice for healthier seniors
Medigap plans are standardized by federal law — Plan G from Blue Cross is identical to Plan G from Mutual of Omaha (same benefits, different prices)
Shop multiple insurers — premiums for identical Plan G coverage can vary 30–50% by company

What Is Medigap?

Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is private insurance that covers the “gaps” in Original Medicare Parts A and B — copays, coinsurance, and deductibles that Medicare doesn’t pay.

Without Medigap, a serious illness can cost tens of thousands out of pocket: hospital stays at $419/day after day 60, 20% coinsurance with no cap on Part B services.

Medigap coverage is standardized — Plan G from any insurer offers identical benefits. You’re only choosing on price and company reputation.

2026 Medigap Plan Comparison

Plan	Part A Coinsurance	Part B Coinsurance	Part A Deductible	Part B Deductible	Part B Excess	Foreign Travel
Plan G (best for new enrollees)	✅	✅	✅	❌ ($257)	✅	✅ 80%
Plan N (good value)	✅	✅ (copays up to $20/$50)	✅	❌	❌	✅ 80%
Plan F (pre-2020 enrollees only)	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅ 80%
Plan K (lower premium, higher OOP)	✅ 50%	✅ 50%	✅ 50%	❌	❌	❌
Plan D	✅	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅ 80%

Plan G: The Gold Standard for New Enrollees

Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the annual Part B deductible ($257). The premium savings vs. Plan F are almost always greater than $257 for new enrollees — making Plan G the mathematically superior choice.

Sample Plan G monthly premiums (2026, age 65):

State	Low	High
Florida	~$120/month	~$230/month
Texas	~$105/month	~$210/month
California	~$130/month	~$250/month
New York	~$240/month	~$400/month*
National Average	~$150/month	~$250/month

*New York uses “community rating” — everyone pays the same regardless of age or health.

Plan N: The Budget-Conscious Alternative

Plan N has lower premiums than Plan G with two small cost-sharing requirements:

Up to $20 copay for office visits
Up to $50 copay for ER visits (waived if admitted)
Does NOT cover Part B excess charges

If you see relatively few doctors and your providers accept Medicare assignment (no excess charges — most do), Plan N can save $30–$50/month vs. Plan G.

*Medicare supplement* — source: unsplash.com

When to Buy Medigap: The Guaranteed Issue Window

The best time to buy Medigap is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period — starting the month you’re both 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot:

Deny you coverage
Charge you more based on pre-existing conditions

After this window, insurers can deny coverage or charge higher rates based on health history (in most states). Always buy Medigap during your open enrollment window.

Related Articles:

Source: CMS.gov; NAIC Medigap standards. Last verified: March 2026.

Insurance Review Checklist for 2026

Review your coverage annually — especially after major life changes:

☐ Life insurance: Do you have dependents? If yes, do you have enough term life coverage (10–15× income)? See Term vs. Whole Life
☐ Disability insurance: Your employer’s plan may not be enough — do you have individual coverage?
☐ Health insurance: Are your doctors in-network? Is your medication on the formulary?
☐ Auto insurance: Have you gotten competing quotes in the past 2 years?
☐ Homeowners/Renters insurance: Is your coverage limit updated for current replacement costs?
☐ Umbrella policy: Worth considering with $500,000+ in assets

The insurance optimization rule: Raise deductibles to the highest amount you can comfortably pay from emergency savings. Lower premiums; self-insure the lower-severity risks. Buy insurance only for catastrophic, unrecoverable losses.

Sources

National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Consumer Insurance Search. NAIC.org.
Insurance Information Institute. How to save on insurance. III.org.
AM Best. Company ratings. AMBest.com.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare. CMS.gov.

Last verified: March 2026.

Quick Reference Summary

This article covers everything you need to know about best medicare supplement plans. Here are the most actionable steps:

Immediate actions (do this week):

Review your current situation against the benchmarks and recommendations above
Identify the single highest-impact change you can make based on this information
Set a calendar reminder to reassess in 90 days

Medium-term actions (this month):

Open any recommended accounts or start any applications referenced
Set up automatic contributions, payments, or transfers to remove manual friction
Research any state-specific programs or variations that apply to your location

Resources to bookmark:

IRS.gov — official source for all tax figures and rules
SSA.gov — Social Security benefits, statements, and applications
Benefits.gov — federal benefits eligibility screening
FDIC.gov — bank safety verification and deposit insurance information
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov) — consumer rights and complaint filing

When to seek professional help: Complex situations — significant investment decisions, business ownership, estate planning, tax situations involving multiple states or foreign income — benefit from a fee-only financial planner (NAPFA.org), CPA, or estate attorney. The cost of professional advice on complex matters is almost always far less than the cost of getting them wrong.

The information in this guide reflects verified data as of March 2026. Financial rules, rates, and regulations change — always verify current figures from official sources before making significant financial decisions.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Consult qualified professionals for advice tailored to your specific situation.

10 Most Asked Insurance Questions in 2026

1. How much life insurance do I need? 10–15× your annual income if you have dependents. Use the DIME formula: Debt + Income replacement + Mortgage + Education.

2. What’s the difference between term and whole life insurance? Term covers you for a set period (10–30 years) at low cost. Whole life covers you for life but costs 10–15× more. For most people, term is the correct choice.

3. Is renters insurance worth it? Yes — it typically costs $15–$30/month and covers your belongings plus liability. One theft or fire justifies years of premiums.

4. What does homeowners insurance not cover? Standard policies exclude: flooding (separate NFIP policy needed), earthquakes (separate rider needed), and routine maintenance/wear and tear.

5. When should I file an insurance claim? When the loss exceeds your deductible by enough to justify the potential premium increase. Minor claims (under $2,000–$3,000) are often better paid out-of-pocket.

6. What is an umbrella insurance policy? Extra liability coverage above your auto and home insurance limits. $1M umbrella policy typically costs $150–$300/year. Worth it for anyone with significant assets or income.

7. Can I be denied health insurance? Not for individual/family plans through the ACA marketplace — guaranteed issue is a core ACA provision. Employer group plans are also required to accept all eligible employees.

8. What is COBRA? Continuing health insurance coverage from a former employer for up to 18 months. You pay the full premium (both employer and employee portions) — typically $500–$800/month for an individual. Expensive, but bridges gaps between jobs.

9. Does Medicare cover dental and vision? Original Medicare (Parts A and B) generally doesn’t cover routine dental, vision, or hearing. Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans often include these benefits.

10. What’s the best way to lower auto insurance premiums? Get competing quotes every 2–3 years. Bundle with homeowners/renters insurance. Increase your deductible to the highest amount you can absorb. Complete a defensive driving course.

Bottom Line

The information in this guide gives you everything you need to make a well-informed decision. The most important next step isn’t more research — it’s action.

Pick one concrete thing from this article and do it today:

Open an account you’ve been putting off
Make a call to get a quote or check eligibility
Set up an automatic transfer or payment
Schedule that appointment you’ve been delaying

Financial progress compounds. Small consistent actions outperform occasional big ones. The best financial plan is the one you actually implement.

Questions? Leave a comment or use our contact page. We update our guides regularly as rates, rules, and products change.

Information current as of March 2026. Always verify current rates, limits, and eligibility requirements from official sources before making financial decisions.