Medicare Supplement Plans 2026

The Best Medicare Supplement Plans for 2026

Great Medicare Advantage Plans for 2026 include:

• Medicare Plan G
• Medicare Plan N
• High-deductible Plan G
• Medicare Plan F*

*only those enrolled in Medicare prior to January 1^st of 2020 may enroll in Medicare Plan F

Medicare Plan G 2026

Medicare Plan G is a plan that encompasses all costs except for the Part B deductible, meaning that once you pay the deductible, Plan G will swoop in and pay for your other expenses.

Medigap plans work by covering the remaining 20% of insurance that Original Medicare doesn’t pay. They are offered by private insurance companies and don’t include netwok restrictions.

Plan G also covers things like skill nursing facility care, Part A and B coinsurance, and Part B excess charges.

Plan G may have slightly higher premiums compared to other Medicare Supplement plans, but its coverage is far more extensive, making it a great option for Medicare-eligible members.

Medicare Plan N 2026

In comparison to Plan G, Plan N tends to be a lot cheaper, but doesn’t have as much coverage. Including the Part B deductible, copayments for doctor and emergency room visits are not covered.

This requires seniors who go to the doctor’s office to pay a copay of up to $20 and a copayment of up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t end in admittance.

While it doesn’t cover copayments, Plan N tends to be more affordable to members who don’t require visiting the doctor that much.

Plan N like Plan G additionally covers things like up to 80% of foreign travel emergency coverage and skilled nursing facility care.

Medicare Plan F 2026

Plan F is a great option for seniors eligible for Medicare prior to January 1, 2020. If you turned eligible for Medicare after that date, you won’t be able to get it.

Plan F offers the most extensive healthcare coverage, covering all benefits including the Part B deductible. It is like Plan G in that there is a lot of coverage. Plan F, however, has a higher deductible than some of the other plans, including Plan G.

Coverage includes Part A and B coinsurance and copayments, the first 3 pints of blood, skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, Parts A & B deductibles, Part B excess charges, and up to 80% foreign travel emergency coverage.

High-deductible Medicare Plan G

High-deductible Plan G has similar coverage to Plan G but it’s offered at a higher deductible. The advantages of this is that it often has lower monthly premiums.

It has no network restrictions and is a solid choice for members who can pay higher deductibles to get lower premiums and comprehensive benefits.

Understanding Medicare: The Basics of Health Coverage for Seniors

Original Medicare consists of Medicare Parts A & B, which covers 80% of expenses.

Medicare-eligible members can then choose to either give up their Original Medicare in exchange for Medicare Advantage plans from private insurance companies or supplement their Original Medicare with Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, which cover the remaining 20% of expenses.

Medicare Enrollment Numbers

About 65 million Medicare-eligible members are enrolled in Original Medicare or looking to use Medicare Advantage plans.

Additionally, around 51 million members seek for prescription drug plans.

The Different Parts of Medicare

Medicare is divided into four parts. Medicare Part A covers hospitalization whereas Medicare Part B covers doctor services.

Medicare Part C, on the other hand, are an alternative name for Medicare Advantage Plans. They are alternative plans offered by private insurance companies that may offer additional benefits beyond covering Medicare Parts A & B, potentially including dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug benefits.

Medicare Part D, or Prescription Drug Coverage, offers Medicare-eligible members a chance to lower their drug costs.

Navigating the Medicare Enrollment Process

Understanding the various enrollment periods for Medicare is essential to finding a plan that covers specific needs.

Below, we will go over the various enrollment periods to help you better understand the complexities of Medicare.

Initial Enrollment Period

The Initial Enrollment Period is a 7-month window in which you are originally eligible for Medicare. This window starts 3 months before your 65^th birthday, includes your birthday month, and lasts three months after.

This period is essential to help you sign up for your first Medicare plan without having to worry about medical underwriting.

Special Enrollment Periods

Special Enrollment Periods are specific times in which you can change your Medicare plan outside of the IEP or AEP settings.

They happen with specific life events, including marriage, moving, and losing coverage.

Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans vs. Original Medicare

Original Medicare includes Part A & B coverage whereas Medicare Advantage Plans are Medicare Part C, encompassing all the Original Medicare has to offer with potential additional benefits.

Medicare Advantage Plans are offered by private insurance companies and may include benefits such as dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

Original Medicare doesn’t include network restrictions while Medicare Advantage plans do.

Understanding Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D)

Medicare Part D or Prescription Drug Coverage is an additional program you can add, offered by private insurers that may include a range of drug benefits.

With the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act, there is now an introduced cap on insulin costs and out-of-pocket expenses, making costs more affordable for Medicare-eligible members.

Medicare Supplement Plans

There are 10 different Medicare Supplement Plans, including:

• Plan A
• Plan b
• Plan C
• Plan D
• Plan F
• Plan G
• Plan K
• Plan L
• Plan M
• Plan N

Just remember that some plans, specifically Plans C and F, are no longer available for those who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.

Analyzing Your Medicare Costs

The best way to analyze your Medicare costs is to consider factors such as premiums, deductibles, copayments, and out-of-pocket expenses. When you’re looking for a plan, you should consider all these costs and compare them to other plans.

For financial assistance, consider Medicare Savings Programs as well as Low-Income Subsidies.

Summary

Comparing Original Medicare with Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans, as well as exploring enrollment periods and financial considerations will help Medicare-eligible members to better take control of their healthcare.

Although the information for the 2026 year has yet to be released, understanding the different nuances of Medicare will aid you in being one step ahead.

Remember to check back to this website for updated information on Medicare in 2026!

Frequently Asked Questions

→  What is Medicare health insurance?

Medicare is federally-regulated, a health insurance program that aids members in comprehensive healthcare coverage when they turn 65 or older, or if they have disabilities.

→  What are the 4 types of Medicare?

The four types of Medicare are Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B, Medicare Part C, and Medicare Part D.

→  What are differences between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare?

Original Medicare is Medicare Parts A and B whereas Medicare Advantage is Medicare Part C. Medicare Advantage covers everything Original Medicare does and potentially offers additional benefits. It is offered by private insurance companies whereas Original Medicare is offered by the government.

→  Can I enroll in Medicare Part D if I have other prescription drug coverage?

You can enroll in Medicare Part D if you have other prescription drug coverage. Compare the two plans to determine which one is more beneficial.

→  Are Medigap policies available to both me and my spouse?

Medicare Supplement plans are only available to individuals. Thus, you and your spouse cannot share a policy. You both have to get a Medicare Supplement plan.