Home | Understanding Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plan Options
We’re Here to Help You Find the Right Coverage
Choosing a Medigap plan is about more than just picking a plan letter. You also need to think about timing, eligibility, pricing, and which option best fits your healthcare usage and budget. Our licensed agents (License #0564249) can help you compare Medigap options available in California, Missouri, and Washington and walk through the differences between Plan G, Plan N, and other available plans.
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Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plans
What is it?
Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, is coverage sold by private insurance companies that works with Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Its purpose is to help pay for certain healthcare costs that Original Medicare doesn’t fully cover, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Medigap is different from Medicare Advantage — it does not replace Original Medicare; it supplements it.
Because Medigap plans are standardized by letter, a Plan G from one carrier has the same core benefits as a Plan G from another carrier — the main differences are typically price, rate history, service, and availability. That’s why comparing options with a licensed agent can be valuable, especially if you want to balance predictable costs with premium level.
Key enrollment details to be aware of:
- Best time: The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is usually during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
- Window: This window begins when you’re age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B.
- Considerations: During this period, you generally have stronger protections and may have more plan options available; after it ends, coverage may cost more or be harder to get depending on your situation.
Understanding Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F
Plan G
Plan G is one of the most popular Medigap options because it offers broad coverage for many out-of-pocket costs not paid by Original Medicare. In general, Plan G covers many of the same benefits as Plan F, except it does not pay the Medicare Part B deductible. For many beneficiaries, it’s a strong option when they want robust coverage and more predictable medical costs.
Plan N
Plan N is often considered by people who want a lower monthly premium in exchange for taking on some additional cost-sharing. Plan N generally requires members to pay the Medicare Part B deductible and may include copays for some doctor visits and emergency room visits. It may be a fit for people who don’t expect frequent medical visits and want a lower-premium alternative to Plan G.
Plan F
Plan F is the most comprehensive standardized Medigap plan, but it is not available to everyone. If you were newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you generally cannot buy Plan F. If you became eligible before that date, you may still be able to purchase it if available in your area.
Key Questions We’ll Help Answer
What does Medigap actually help pay for?
Medigap helps cover certain out-of-pocket costs left behind by Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.
How do Plan G and Plan N compare?
Plan G usually offers broader cost coverage, while Plan N may trade lower premiums for more cost-sharing.
Am I still eligible for Plan F?
Plan F is generally only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
When is the best time to enroll in Medigap?
Usually during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when protections are strongest.
Can I be denied a Medigap plan later?
In many cases, yes — applying after your open enrollment window may mean medical underwriting applies.
How should I think about premium vs. coverage?
The “best” plan often depends on whether you value lower monthly premiums or lower out-of-pocket costs when you use care.
Speak With a Heffernan Licensed Medicare Advisor
Submit the form below and a licensed agent (license #0564249) will reach out to discuss your Medigap Plan options.
By submitting, you agree to be contacted about Medigap plan options. No obligation.
Medigap Guidance
Why Work With a Licensed Agent?
Choosing a Medigap plan is about more than just picking a plan letter. You also need to think about timing, eligibility, pricing, and which option best fits your healthcare usage and budget. Our licensed agents can help you compare Medigap options available in California, Missouri, and Washington and walk through the differences between Plan G, Plan N, and other available plans. Whether you’re new to Medicare or reviewing your supplement options, we can help you make sense of the choices and decide what to look at next.
Licensed Broker – Medicare
Drew Stitz, Senior Vice President
Drew has been a licensed broker since 1989. He’s built his expertise through the years by consulting, implementing, and servicing group employer health, individual health and Medicare insurance clients.
Heffernan Insurance Brokers acquired Drew’s brokerage in 2023 and he joined as a Senior Vice President. He continues to bring his experience and expertise in Medicare to Heffernan’s trusted clients everyday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medigap?
Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, is private insurance that works with Original Medicare to help pay certain out-of-pocket costs like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Is Medigap the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap supplements Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage is another way to receive your Medicare benefits through a private plan. You generally don’t use both at the same time.
What does Medigap Plan G cover?
Plan G covers many out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare doesn’t pay, but it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G generally provides broader coverage, while Plan N may have a lower premium but can include copays for certain office and emergency room visits.
Can I still buy Medigap Plan F?
Only if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you were newly eligible on or after that date, you generally can’t buy Plan F.
When should I enroll in a Medigap plan?
The strongest time to enroll is usually during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins when you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B.
Is there a late-enrollment penalty for Medigap?
There’s no standard federal Medigap late-enrollment penalty, but waiting can mean fewer choices, higher costs, or medical underwriting. Delaying Part B may also trigger a separate Part B penalty.
Are Medigap plans standardized?
Yes. Standardized Medigap plans with the same letter offer the same core benefits, though premiums and carrier pricing can differ.
Do Medigap plans include prescription drug coverage?
No. Medigap plans do not include Part D prescription drug coverage, so you may need a separate Part D plan if you want drug coverage.
How do I choose the right Medigap plan?
It usually comes down to your budget, how often you expect to use care, your comfort with out-of-pocket costs, and whether you prefer broader coverage or a lower monthly premium. A licensed agent can help you compare those tradeoffs.
This website is owned by Heffernan Insurance Brokers. Heffernan Insurance Brokers is a licensed insurance agency and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected with the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact www.medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day/7 days a week or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
Plan availability, premiums, benefits, and provider networks vary by carrier and service area.