Medicare Supplement · Medigap
Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, helps pay certain out-of-pocket costs for services covered by Original Medicare.
Understand your coverage options, compare Plan G and Plan N, and learn when you may be able to enroll or change policies.
Medicare Supplement works with Original Medicare Parts A and B. Prescription drug coverage is generally purchased separately through a Medicare Part D plan.
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Original Medicare pays its share of approved costs for covered services. Your Medicare Supplement policy then helps pay your share, according to the benefits of your policy.
For example, a policy may help pay deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance that would otherwise be your responsibility.
Medicare Supplement plans use letters, such as Plan G and Plan N. These letters describe the policy's benefits. They are different from Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D.
Coinsurance: The share of a covered medical cost you pay, usually expressed as a percentage.
In California, policies with the same plan letter provide the same basic benefits, regardless of the insurance company selling them. However, premiums, customer service, discounts, and any additional offerings can differ. Compare the plan letter first, then compare the insurance companies and their prices.
Depending on the plan letter, your policy may help pay:
The policy's benefits apply to eligible expenses under its terms. It does not make every medical service a covered service.
Your total healthcare budget may include:
Medicare Supplement generally does not cover routine dental care, routine vision care, hearing aids, or long-term custodial care. Current Medigap policies do not include prescription drug coverage. Separate coverage may be available for some of these needs. Review its benefits, exclusions, provider access, and costs before purchasing.
Plan G and Plan N cover many of the same expenses. Their differences can affect what you pay when you receive care.
| Benefit or expense | Standard Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part A hospital coinsurance | Covered, including specified additional hospital days | Covered, including specified additional hospital days |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered, except specified office and emergency room copayments |
| Certain office visits | No additional copayment for Medicare-covered visits after the Part B deductible | Copayment of up to $20 for some visits |
| Emergency room visits | No additional copayment for Medicare-covered visits after the Part B deductible | Copayment of up to $50 when you are not admitted as an inpatient |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Foreign travel emergency care | 80% of eligible expenses, subject to policy limits | 80% of eligible expenses, subject to policy limits |
| Monthly premium | Obtain a personalized quote | Obtain a personalized quote |
Plan G
Covered
Plan N
Covered
Plan G
Covered, including specified additional hospital days
Plan N
Covered, including specified additional hospital days
Plan G
You pay
Plan N
You pay
Plan G
Covered
Plan N
Covered, except specified office and emergency room copayments
Plan G
No additional copayment for Medicare-covered visits after the Part B deductible
Plan N
Copayment of up to $20 for some visits
Plan G
No additional copayment for Medicare-covered visits after the Part B deductible
Plan N
Copayment of up to $50 when you are not admitted as an inpatient
Plan G
Covered
Plan N
Not covered
Plan G
80% of eligible expenses, subject to policy limits
Plan N
80% of eligible expenses, subject to policy limits
Plan G
Obtain a personalized quote
Plan N
Obtain a personalized quote
This is a summary of selected benefits. Review the policy's outline of coverage for complete benefits, exclusions, and limitations. High-deductible Plan G is a separate option and is not represented in this table.
Some providers may charge more than Medicare's approved amount, within permitted limits. The additional amount is called an excess charge. Plan G covers Part B excess charges. Plan N does not. Ask your providers whether they accept Medicare assignment, which means accepting Medicare's approved amount as full payment for the covered service.
Compare the quoted premium difference with the expenses you may pay when receiving care. Consider how often you visit providers, whether your providers accept Medicare assignment, and the monthly amount you can comfortably afford.
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months. It starts on the first day of the month when you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, you can buy a Medigap policy sold to you in your state without being denied because of your health. This federal enrollment period does not repeat every year. If you enroll in Part B while still working, your Medigap enrollment period may begin even while you have employer coverage.
If you already have Medicare Supplement insurance, California provides a 60-day enrollment period beginning on your birthday each year. During this period, you can change to a Medigap policy with equal or lesser benefits without medical screening or a new waiting period. This protection applies to qualifying changes between Medigap policies. It does not, by itself, give someone with Medicare Advantage the right to buy Medigap. Before changing policies, confirm your eligibility, the benefit comparison, the application deadline, and the new policy's effective date.
Certain situations may give you a guaranteed issue right - a protection that allows you to buy specified Medigap coverage without being denied because of your health. These rights depend on your circumstances. Outside a protected enrollment situation, an insurance company may review your health and may decline an application.
Confirm your ability to obtain Medicare Supplement coverage before making a change. Your Medicare Advantage disenrollment timing, Medigap eligibility, and prescription drug coverage must work together.
Medicare's annual fall enrollment period does not automatically give you a guaranteed right to purchase Medicare Supplement insurance.
These are different ways to arrange your Medicare coverage.
| Question | Original Medicare + Supplement | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| How do I receive Medicare benefits? | Through Original Medicare Parts A and B | Through a private Medicare Advantage plan |
| What does the additional policy do? | Helps pay specified Original Medicare cost-sharing | Provides your Part A and Part B benefits through the plan |
| How do I get prescription coverage? | Generally through a separate Part D plan | Included in many plans |
| What should I check about providers? | Whether they accept Medicare and any policy-specific restrictions | The plan's network and out-of-network rules |
| What should I compare financially? | Combined premiums and remaining expenses | Premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the plan's medical out-of-pocket limit |
Medicare + Supplement
Through Original Medicare Parts A and B
Medicare Advantage
Through a private Medicare Advantage plan
Medicare + Supplement
Helps pay specified Original Medicare cost-sharing
Medicare Advantage
Provides your Part A and Part B benefits through the plan
Medicare + Supplement
Generally through a separate Part D plan
Medicare Advantage
Included in many plans
Medicare + Supplement
Whether they accept Medicare and any policy-specific restrictions
Medicare Advantage
The plan's network and out-of-network rules
Medicare + Supplement
Combined premiums and remaining expenses
Medicare Advantage
Premiums, deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, and the plan's medical out-of-pocket limit
Medigap cannot be used to pay Medicare Advantage deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance.
Before your appointment, gather:
An agent can review the policies they are authorized to offer, explain the differences, and help you understand the application process.
You can also obtain Medicare information through Medicare.gov and California's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, known as HICAP.
Review Medicare Supplement benefits, compare available premiums, and ask about the enrollment protections that may apply to you.
No obligation to enroll • Licensed in California • Independent agent
TPMO Disclosure
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do represent in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Content reviewed by a licensed insurance agent. Review date: October 2026.
Sources: medicare.gov, insurance.ca.gov
