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Medigap Plan Comparison Chart (2026)
- All Medigap plans are federally standardized, a plan letter means the same benefits from any carrier.
- Plan G is the most comprehensive available to new enrollees; Plan N trades small copays for a lower premium.
- High-Deductible Plan G has the lowest premium, you pay costs yourself up to a deductible, then it covers everything like Plan G.
- Plan F is closed to anyone who became Medicare-eligible in 2020 or later.
- Since benefits are identical within a plan letter, always shop on price, and use the Birthday Rule to switch.
Here's the key thing about Medigap plans: they're federally standardized. That means a "Plan G" offers the exact same benefits no matter which insurance company sells it. So this chart shows you what each plan letter covers, and once you pick a letter, your only job is finding the best price for it. Let's compare the plans people actually buy.
The Comparison Chart
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N | HD Plan G | Plan F* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance & costs | ✓ | ✓ | After deductible | ✓ |
| Part B coinsurance (the 20%) | ✓ | ✓*copays | After deductible | ✓ |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ | ✓ | After deductible | ✓ |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | After deductible | ✓ |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | After deductible | ✓ |
| Part A deductible | ✓ | ✓ | After deductible | ✓ |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay | You pay | ✓ |
| Part B excess charges | ✓ | Not covered | After deductible | ✓ |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% | 80% after ded. | 80% |
| Office/ER copays? | None | Up to $20/$50 | None (after ded.) | None |
| Premium level | Higher | Lower | Lowest | Highest |
| Available to new enrollees? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No (closed 2020) |
*Plan F is closed to people who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. Simplified summary of standardized benefits, see official Medicare materials for exact details.
What About High-Deductible Plan G?
💡 The underrated option: HD Plan G
High-Deductible Plan G (HD-G) is worth knowing about. It works exactly like regular Plan G, but only after you meet an annual deductible (around $2,800). Until then, you pay Medicare's gaps yourself. In exchange, the premium is much lower than regular Plan G.
Who's it for? Healthy people who rarely hit big medical bills, and who'd rather bank the premium savings and self-insure the smaller stuff. And here's a striking data point, HD-G has been rising slower than every other plan:
HD-G rose just 7.3% versus 17.2% for regular Plan G. Combined with its much lower starting premium, HD-G can be a savvy choice for the right person. It's underused simply because few agents mention it. We'll tell you honestly whether it fits you.
Why the "Same Benefits" Rule Matters So Much
Because a Plan G is a Plan G everywhere, you should never pay more than the lowest available price for your chosen plan letter. There's zero benefit to overpaying, you get identical coverage either way. Yet people do overpay, constantly, because they don't shop. This is the single most important thing to understand about Medigap: pick your plan letter based on coverage, then shop purely on price and carrier stability. See how to choose a company and our pricing & discounts guide.
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Which Plan Should You Pick?
Most Californians land on Plan G (maximum coverage), Plan N (lower premium, small copays), or HD-G (lowest premium, self-insure the smaller stuff). Compare G vs N directly, and if you're on old Plan F, definitely read why you may be overpaying. We'll help you pick and price it, free.