Understanding your options
Medigap

2026 Medigap explained

Medicare Supplement Insurance (or Medigap) is extra insurance available from private insurers to help pay for out-of-pocket costs if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare (Parts A and B).

Medigap has a number of different plans, all standardized by law. There are 10 different types of Medigap plans offered in California: A-D, F, G, and K-N. Plans with the same letter offered by different insurance companies vary only in price—the benefits are identical. Each policy covers one person.

Pros and cons of Medigap

Original Medicare only covers 80% of your approved inpatient and outpatient costs. A Medigap policy would pay the rest, plus additional benefits depending on the plan. For example, some plans may require copayments for office and emergency room visits, but cover hospice copays and preventative care.

One of the most popular plans in California is Plan G. It’s currently the most comprehensive Medigap plan available (although less so than Plan N, which is no longer offered to people newly eligible for Medicare). With Medigap Plan G, for most events the only out-of-pocket cost would need to pay is your Medicare Part B annual deductible. Note that it caps payment for foreign travel emergency costs at 80%, up to the plan limit. Like all Medigap plans, it does not cover dental, hearing, or vision.

Costs vary by state, plan letter, the insurance carrier, your age, and other factors particular to you. It’s important to compare plans and costs carefully, and you’ll need to talk to a licensed agent to get accurate quotes.

How is it different than Medicare Advantage?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers. Although Medigap is also private insurance, it is designed for people enrolled in Original Medicare. You can’t have both, and you can’t use Medigap to pay Medicare Advantage copayments, deductibles, and premiums. Many Medicare Advantage plans already include benefits comparable to Medigap, and often cover items that Medigap does not.