Which Medicare Supplement plan (Medigap) offers the best value for most seniors, and why?
Answered by 41 licensed agents
Plan G is usually the best value for most seniors. It covers almost everything except the Part B deductible, making it a solid choice for predictable costs and great coverage. It’s popular because it offers the most benefits without the high premiums of Plan F. (Which is only available for those eligible for Medicare before 1/1/2020) Plus, once the deductible is paid, there are no copays or surprise bills.
Everyone's situation is different. But the "G" Plan for new enrollees, for those who turned 65 after January 1, 2020, is the plan that holds the most benefits. Of course, those "G" plans will be priced higher than the "N" or the High "G" plan. Word of caution that some companies are developing plans they are calling "G" but in a different perspective. These are accepted and treated in a similar fashion to PPOs and HMO's, where there is a Network of Doctors and Specialists. The traditional "G" Plan has no networks.
Both Plan G and Plan N offer great coverage for OUT of pocket Expenses and deductibles and depending on the company are generally reasonably priced! Before making any decisions get all the FACTS of coverage and costs!
Depend on where the member lives, what they are looking for, price, carrier & if the members are looking for ancillary benefits ( dental, vision, OTC, food.....)
Medicare Supplement Plan G is my top pick for most seniors in 2025, covering all gaps in Original Medicare—like the Part B 20% coinsurance and the $257 deductible—delivering robust protection without surprise costs, which I’ve always valued from my years in this field. When Plan F was still open to new enrollees before January 1, 2020, it was my go-to because it handled every expense, including that Part B deductible, but now Plan G steps in with nearly identical coverage at a more affordable premium—averaging $130 to $150 monthly for a 65-year-old, depending on your area and insurer. I prefer G over options like N because it avoids copays and keeps your expenses steady, making it a practical, comprehensive choice for the long haul.
Depends on the State of residence for the Medicare Beneficiary. Plan G for IN, MO, TN, KY, & FL. Plan G or N for OH as it is 1 of the States that does not allow for Medicare Part B excess charges. The rates will vary by Insurance Companies. The rates will also vary wether it is a Community rated, Issue Age rated, or Attained Age rated.
Usually Plan G or High Deductible G — they offer great coverage and predictable costs. But it really depends on your state and how pricing works there, so it's not one-size-fits-all.
This is not a cookie counter answer for all seniors based on their health and desired premiums, co-pays, deductibles and future rate increases. As of Jan 1, 2020, Medicare Supplements Plan C and Plan F were no longer available to new to Medicare seniors (a.k.a. Turning 65). There are still many others supplements available in most states. Some retirees will opt for Plan G, while others may opt for Plan N or Plan High Deductible G.
No matter which Medicare Supplement plan you enroll in the coverage is the same. If you choose a plan G, it is the same coverage with every carrier. What to look for when enrolling in a Medicare Supplement plan is (1) monthly premium (2) financial rating of the company (3) and how long they have been in business. Make sure whoever you speak to can look at multiple carriers.
Plan G would be my first choice because of only having the Part B deductible of $257 to pay when using the plan. Once that is paid, then everything else is paid 100%. My second choice would be Plan N. Plan N is a slightly cheaper way to go, but you will still pay a Dr copay of $20 and ER copay of $50 once the Part B Deductible of $257 is met.
If you started receiving or were eligible to receive Medicare prior to year 2020, than a Plan F Supplement or a High Deductible Plan F Supplement is best. If you were eligible or receiving Medicare after January 1, 2020, than a Plan G Supplement or a High Deductible Plan G Supplement is your best value. These four options are the only plans that cover all the part of Medicare 100% including Medicare Part B excess charges.
It all depends on the seniors needs, everyone has different needs and has a different budget. Plan G is the best and most comprehensive plan but cost a bit more than other plans.
This is impossible to answer! Everyone has a unique set of needs that results in different plans being better than others. This is why seniors should always work with a broker that is committed to learning about them, their lifestyle, and their medical and financial needs.
This is a great question, one I get a lot. It's an easy question in theory, but not so easy to answer. Each client has needs, preferences, and experiences that will shape the decision they make, and it very rarely comes down to just price. In addition, geographic considerations and insurance company policies also play a key role in this process.
Medicare supplement plans (Medigap Plans) K, L, and M are available, but because these plans involve cost-sharing, some of them significant, consumer preferences lead to wider usage of plans G and N.
In a nutshell: Plan G does not require co-payments, covers Part B Excess charges, but will generally cost a bit more. Plan N will have co-payments, does not cover Part B excess, but will typically come at a lower price.
No easy answers. I would highly recommend consulting with a licensed and certified Medicare agent to help determine which plan would be right for you.
For most seniors, especially those aged 65 to 75, Medicare Supplement Plan G offers the best overall value due to its strong coverage and cost predictability—covering nearly all out-of-pocket expenses except the small annual Part B deductible. While Plan F provides even more comprehensive coverage by also covering that deductible, it’s only available to individuals who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020; those beneficiaries are “grandfathered in” and can keep or switch to Plan F, which may still be ideal if the premium is reasonable. For anyone new to Medicare after that date, Plan G is typically the most robust and cost-effective option.
Each plan is actuarially equal. Most Medigap plans have a structure of plan A through H with the H plan being the most in benefits. Wisconsin and another State regulate Medigap benefit's by using up to five benefit riders that can be added to each Medigap policy.
We like Medigap plans offered by larger companies that would enjoy a significantly larger block of business. The bigger the block, the more likely unexpected large claims will be absorbed by the bigger blocks and rate increases can be better mitigated.
My recommendation would be Plan "N" for those new to Medicare. It has a much lower monthly premium and it's yearly increases are less that the more popular plan "G".
It's kind of a loaded question, but if we're talking in terms of what's available to seniors nowadays, it's hard to beat the Plan G. Right now it strikes that sweet spot between comprehensive coverage and cost. Excluding the Part B deductible, it kicks in to cover 100% of Medicare-approved costs like hospital coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility care, and even excess charges that my second-place option, a Plan N, doesn't cover. I've had a lot of people tell me "but I googled it and only 2-3% of doctors bill those excess charges so why wouldn't I just get a Plan N if it's usually cheaper?" and I will say that it's very attractive for many individuals. That's not to just completely trash other options, but the case for the Plan G though is just simply peace of mind, something I know most seniors ask for with their Medigap policies. Individuals that want predictable costs will generally be more satisfied going that route.
The most popular Medigap policy has been the “G” Supplement for many, many years. It's the easiest to understand and covers the most since you are only responsible for the monthly premium and the one-time/yr. Part B deductible which is $257.00 in 2025. Both these figures are going to increase every new calendar year due to the global inflation.
Medicare supplement Plan N is the best value option. Keep in mind that all services are the same depending on the plan letter i.e. F, G, N and that the insurance carrier name is irrelevant because Original Medicare is your primary insurance. The goal is to find the plan that costs the least which will be determined by your age and zip code. I can assist with that information.
In my opinion that would have to be the Medicare supplement PLAN G. With a yearly deductible of $257, the ability to go to any hospital/ provider that accepts Medicare, and no out of pocket costs it works well for most of my supplement clients. The only downside is the yearly increase for the premiums.
Medicare plan G offers the best value for the best price and sometimes will include discounts to cover the most amount of health concerns for the least amount of premium and out of pocket.
The answer to this question depends greatly on where you live and how you access care. I am located in South Central Pennsylvania, close to the Maryland border. In this area, I believe that the best plan option for those who want Medicare supplement coverage his plan G because it offers a benefit called Part B Excess. In Pennsylvania, this is not an important benefit because our laws say that doctors who accept original Medicare must take Medicare assignment as full payment. However, because we are close to world class care at Johns Hopkins in Maryland, the Part B Excess benefit becomes important as it will pay a benefit in Maryland. In Maryland, and most other states, doctors are allowed to charge an amount over an above Medicare assignment and the Part B Excess benefit will pay in the event that a patient is charged the excess amount. This benefit could be worth thousands of dollars. In today’s economy, where things are changing quickly, and doctors and facilities are struggling, it is more likely that doctors who are able to charge for Part B Excess will do so. Another very popular plan in this area is plan N. I do not prefer Plan N because it does not have the Part B Excess benefit.
It is important for you to understand all the nuances of these plans before you make your choice. You should always speak with a Medicare Insurance Advisor to get good advice before choosing your plan. You might not be able to change your plan later.
Medicare plans are standardize. Every plan is identical. The difference is that each company determines their price, It makes sense to go to the lowest price option for coverage.
The answer to this question depends on a number of factors, including the senior's age, location, and risk tolerance. These factors are important because some carriers specialize in providing value to seniors who are turning 65, while others tend to focus on seniors who are older. In addition, the competitiveness of a carrier (with regards to monthly premium) often depends on the zip code of the applicant. Finally, some carriers offer a stronger Plan N or innovative Plan G, while others tend to focus on Plan G.
The most popular Medicare Supplement plan has been Plan G. This plan has the most comprehensive coverage. The only out-of-pocket costs for the beneficiary is the small annual Part B deductible.
Lately, Plan N has been climbing in popularity because of the lower monthly premium. With Plan N there may be small copays for doctor and ER visits as well as no coverage for Part B excess charges. However, only approximately 2% of doctors charge excess charges so this maybe very minimal.
Another factor Plan N is a good choice is that its rate increases tend to be smaller.
For most seniors, Medigap Plan G offers the best value. It's the most comprehensive plan available to those who became eligible for Medicare after 2019, covering nearly all out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare. This includes copays, coinsurance, & deductibles, making it a popular choice. Here's why Plan G is often considered the best value:
Comprehensive Coverage: It covers nearly all the out-of-pocket expenses you'd face with Original Medicare, including the Part A deductible, coinsurance, & the Part B deductible (not for those who became eligible after 2019).
Popular Choice: It's one of the most popular Medigap plans, indicating a high degree of satisfaction & value among beneficiaries.
Cost-Effectiveness: While it has a higher premium than some other Medigap plans, it's often considered cost-effective due to the comprehensive coverage it provides, especially if you anticipate needing a lot of healthcare services.
No Additional Premium for High Deductible: Plan G is also available with a high deductible, which can significantly reduce the monthly premium, but this comes with a higher out-of-pocket deductible.
Comparison with other plans:
Plan F: While Plan F offered the most comprehensive coverage before 2020, it is no longer available for those who became eligible for Medicare after that date. Plan G is the closest equivalent for new Medicare beneficiaries.
Plan N: Plan N has a lower premium than Plan G, but it also has some copays for certain medical visits. If you don't anticipate frequent visits, Plan N might be a good option, but it's generally less comprehensive than Plan G.
Important Considerations:
Medigap Open Enrollment: Enrollment in a Medigap plan is often best done during the Medigap Open Enrollment period, which is a specific time when anyone can enroll without having to answer health questions. Pricing Variations: Medigap premiums can vary significantly based on your location & age, so get quotes from different companies.
It often depends on state of residence but I generally believe Plan N offers greater value in comparison with other Medigap plans. You have minimal additional exposures in comparison to Plan G that contradict the additional premium cost. The vast majority of my clients are on Plan N and very happy.
We recommend Plan G most often. After you pay your Part B deductible of $257 for 2025, all of your Medicare-allowed charges are covered at 100%. If you want to save a little money, a Plan N offers very similar coverage, but you will have a copay of $20 for doctor visits and $50 for ER visits if not admitted. Also, it does not cover the 15% excess charges that some doctors and hospitals could charge.
I would have a license agent go over the different plans G,N High deductible. Most important tell the agent exactly what is important to year ,travel , access to Doctors, fixed premiums. Connect with an Agent and have a frank discussion about budget and all your questions . Be happy to assist
From my perspective, the "N" plan offers the best value for most seniors. The only significant difference between the "N" and "G" plan is a $20 co-pay at the doctor and $50 co-pay at the ER if you're not admitted, with the "N" plan. The difference in monthly cost typically makes the "N" make the most sense for many of my clients.
Plan G offers comprehensive coverage, filling many of the "gaps" in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). Plan G will cover your hospital deductibles, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance and Part B excess charges. Plan G does have a yearly deductible that the government changes the 1st of January each year. This plan has the most extensive coverage for anyone just turning 65.
I believe that for convenience the G plan is the best option because the only responsibility you have other than your premium is that part B deductible. I love it when my clients receive statements from the doctor or facility that say “This is not a bill”
They call Plan G the cadillac of all the plans. Ultimately, you want to understand the differences between the plans because there isn't a "one size fits all" option.
I love medicare supplements! I like Plan N or Plan G. Yes, you have small copays with N- but we are seeing a big cost savings for our clients with Plan N vs plan G.
It depends on where you live and your age for the most part - so it's best to do a needs assessment and then shop around for the best plan rates as they are standardized by the Federal Government and can be used anywhere in the US that a doctor takes Medicare Assignment.
Every Senior has different needs, not all plans work for all seniors. The best thing to do would be discuss or have a needs analysis done by a licensed agent.
