3 “Best” Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026

First, let’s get one thing out of the way:

There is no “best” plan. There is only the right plan for you. People often ask us if we know what the “best Medicare Supplement Plans are, but that depends.

What really matters is, what’s the right plan for your needs?

If you’re thinking of enrolling in a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan, there are 10 standardized plans that you can choose from, all with varying levels of coverage. 

However, statistics show that most people today really only choose between three options: 

• Medicare Supplement Plan G
• Medicare Supplement Plan N, and 
• High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G

Today, we’re going to go over these options one by one, show you how much they cost, what they cover, and also go over what types of people choose these plans. 

By the end of this article, you should have a much better idea of which of these three options is the best for you. 

The 3 Most Common Medicare Supplement Plans in 2026 (Based on Scenario)

Option 1: Medicare Supplement Plan G

Medicare Supplement Plan G is widely considered to be the most common Medicare Supplement Plan today. 

This is because, aside from Plan F (which isn’t available for people who turned 65 after January 1, 2020), Plan G covers more than other Medicare Supplement Plans. 

However, Medicare Supplement Plan G typically has higher monthly premiums than other Medicare Supplement Plans. 

But is the price worth the coverage for you? Let’s take a closer look at this plan to find out.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan G Coverage
Medicare Part A deductible ✅	Medicare Part B deductible ❌
Medicare Part A hospital copays ✅	Medicare Part B coinsurance ✅
Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility copays ✅	Medicare Part B excess charges ✅

When you sign up for Medicare Supplement Plan G, it covers the following:

• Medicare Part A deductible 
• Medicare Part A hospital copays
• Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility copays
• Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance
• Medicare Part B excess charges

However, it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible, which costs $283 in 2026. 

Once you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, your Medicare Supplement Plan G should cover the rest of your Medicare-covered healthcare costs for the year. (Note: drug costs are separate from healthcare costs in Medicare.)

That’s why even though Medicare Supplement Plan G usually has higher premiums than other Medicare Supplement plans, many people still prefer this option for the low out-of-pocket risk. 

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cost?

The exact cost of Medicare Supplement Plan G varies widely from city to city and state to state. It also depends on several factors, such as:

• Your age
• Your gender
• Whether you use tobacco
• Whether you qualify for household discounts
• Your zip code

That said, here are the median prices for Plan G from the most populated cities in the country (pulled in 2026): 

City	Median Medigap Plan G Premium*
New York City, New York	$485/mo
Los Angeles, California	$217/mo
Chicago, Illinois	$201/mo
Houston, Texas	$195/mo
Phoenix, Arizona	$204/mo

*Data taken from Medicare’s plan finder tool for a 65-year-old male who doesn’t smoke tobacco and doesn’t qualify for household discounts.

In most cities, the premium is often around the $200/mo range. However, in some cities like New York City, the premiums can be significantly higher due to how the state handles Medicare Supplement Plans. 

Most Medicare Supplement Plans Gs also generally increase their premiums every year. Statistics show that on average, Medicare Supplement Plan Gs have increased their premium by about 9.96% per year in the past three years. 

This is important to note because Medicare Supplement Plans are usually at their lowest monthly price when you first sign up, but can get more expensive through the years. If it continues to increase at the same rate, a $200/mo plan can double in as little as eight years. 

So if you’re looking to sign up for Medicare Supplement Plan G, also consider the long-term cost of the plan. 

Who Typically Chooses Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G is typically chosen by people who want predictable costs.

These people don’t mind the higher premiums and rate increases because they know that their only out-of-pocket expense will be the Medicare Part B deductible. 

For a more in-depth look at Medicare Supplement Plan G, read our full overview here. 

Option 2: Medicare Supplement Plan N

Another popular Medicare Supplement plan today is Plan N. 

It usually has slightly lower premiums than Plan G, but it also offers slightly less coverage.

Medicare Supplement Plan N is popular today mostly because it’s widely considered a lower-cost alternative to Plan G. 

If people don’t go to the doctor or hospital often, they can save money by choosing this plan over Plan G. And if ever their health takes a turn for the worse, Plan N still covers plenty of the gaps of Original Medicare. 

But is the extra risk worth the savings for you? Let’s take a closer look…

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan N Coverage
Medicare Part A deductible ✅	Medicare Part B deductible ❌
Medicare Part A hospital copays ✅	Medicare Part B coinsurance ✅⚠️ $20 DR copay $50 ER copay
Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility copays ✅	Medicare Part B excess charges ❌

Medicare Supplement Plan N covers:

• Medicare Part A deductible 
• Medicare Part A hospital copays
• Medicare Part A skilled nursing facility copays
• Medicare Part B 20% coinsurance

It does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and Medicare Part B excess charges. With Medicare Supplement Plan N, you typically have to pay a copay of up to $20 for some doctor’s office visits, and up to $50 per emergency room visit (the ER copay is waived if you’re admitted to the hospital). 

Once you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, you may still pay copays for doctor and ER visits for the rest of the year. 

Medicare Part B excess charges come up when a doctor charges up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. When this happens, you are typically required to pay the excess charge out-of-pocket (unless you have a policy that covers this charge. Medicare Supplement Plan N does not cover excess charges.)

However, only about 2% of physicians can charge these excess charges. Excess charges are also disallowed (or limited) in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. But even though excess charges are not super common, they can be expensive if you’re hit with one. 

To learn more about Medicare Part B excess charges, read our full guide here. 

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cost?

Medicare Supplement Plan N typically costs around $30-$50 less per month than Medicare Supplement Plan G. 

That said, the exact cost also depends on your zip code, age, gender, tobacco use, and whether you qualify for household discounts. Here are the median prices of Plan N in the most populated cities in the country compared with Plan G: 

City	Median Medigap Plan N Premium*	Median Medigap Plan G Premium*
New York City, New York	$450/mo	$485/mo
Los Angeles, California	$178/mo	$217/mo
Chicago, Illinois	$157/mo	$201/mo
Houston, Texas	$157/mo	$195/mo
Phoenix, Arizona	$163/mo	$204/mo

*Data taken from Medicare’s plan finder tool for a 65-year-old male who doesn’t smoke tobacco and doesn’t qualify for household discounts.

As you can see from the data above, Medicare Supplement Plan N usually costs less than Plan G. This way, if you never have to visit the doctor, go to the hospital, or use your plan, you can save money by choosing Plan N. 

However, if you constantly visit the doctor and pay the copays associated with Plan N, or if you get hit with a big excess charge, you may end up spending more with Plan N than with Plan G despite the difference in premiums. 

Medicare Supplement Plan N also normally has a lower average rate increase compared to Plan G. The data shows an average increase of 8.63% for Plan N premiums in the last three years (compared to 9.96% for Plan G). 

Who Typically Chooses Medicare Supplement Plan N?

Medicare Supplement Plan N is typically chosen by people who want to save some money compared to Plan G, but still want relatively low out-of-pocket costs if they need to use their plan. 

The lower premiums and the lower rate increases can add up to plenty of savings over the years if you don’t visit the doctor or hospital very often. 

It’s also popular in the eight states where excess charges are banned or limited (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont). 

Confused between Plan G and Plan N? Read our full comparison here. 

Option 3: High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G

High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G has risen in popularity in recent years due to its low premiums. High-Deductible Plan Gs usually have significantly lower premiums compared to Plan G and Plan N. 

However, High-Deductible Plan G also generally has significantly higher out-of-pocket costs. It works very differently from traditional Medicare Supplement Plans. 

So are these low premiums worth the out-of-pocket risk for you? 

How Does High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G Work?

Unlike traditional Medicare Supplement Plans, High-Deductible Plan G has a fixed deductible set by the CMS for the year. In 2026, this deductible is set to $2,950. 

This means that you pay Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs (deductibles, copays, and coinsurance) until you’ve spent $2,950 out-of-pocket. 

Original Medicare Costs 2026
Part A deductible – $1,736 / benefit period	Part B deductible – $283
Part A hospital copays – Day 60 – 90: $434/day Day 90 – 150: $868/day (lifetime reserve days)	Part B coinsurance – 20% of bill
Part A skilled nursing facility copays – Day 21 – 100: $217/day	Part B excess charges – up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount

Once you’ve paid $2,950 out-of-pocket, your High-Deductible Plan G will take over and cover the rest of your Medicare-covered healthcare costs for the year (except prescription drug costs). 

This deductible also tends to go up every year. In the past five years, the deductible has gone up by an average of roughly 4.36%. So while the deductible is set to $2,950 in 2026, it’s likely this will increase next year and beyond. 

How Much Does a High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G Cost?

High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G has significantly lower premiums than traditional Plan G and Plan N. 

Like all Medicare Supplement Plans, the exact premium depends on factors like your age, gender, tobacco use, whether you qualify for household discounts, and your exact zip code. Here are the median prices from the most populated cities compared to traditional Plan G and Plan N: 

City	Median High-Deductible Plan G Premium*	Median Medigap Plan N Premium*	Median Medigap Plan G Premium*
New York City, New York	$70/mo	$450/mo	$485/mo
Los Angeles, California	$77/mo	$178/mo	$217/mo
Chicago, Illinois	$61/mo	$157/mo	$201/mo
Houston, Texas	$63/mo	$157/mo	$195/mo
Phoenix, Arizona	$63/mo	$163/mo	$204/mo

*Data taken from Medicare’s plan finder tool for a 65-year-old male who doesn’t smoke tobacco and doesn’t qualify for household discounts.

As you can see from the data above, you can normally save a considerable amount of money by choosing a High-Deductible Plan G if you don’t visit the doctor or hospital. 

High-Deductible Plan G also tends to increase its premiums at a lower rate than both Plan G and Plan N, at only 5.16% per year on average. 

But if you are hospitalized, you’ll have to pay the Medicare Part A deductible out-of-pocket, which costs $1,736 in 2026. If you visit the doctor or have an outpatient procedure, you’ll have to pay the Part B deductible and 20% of the bill. 

That’s why High-Deductible Plan G is considered to be a high-risk, high-reward plan. You don’t know if or when you’ll get a serious health condition. But if it takes years before you do, your savings can compound to thousands of dollars over the years. 

Who Typically Chooses High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G?

High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G is typically chosen by people who want the lowest cost Medicare Supplement Plan available. 

These people usually don’t want to pay the higher premiums of a traditional Plan G or Plan N, but also aren’t interested in a $0 Medicare Advantage Plan due to its potential issues (more on this below). 

Plenty of people living in states like New York, where traditional Plan G premiums are a lot higher than the national average, also tend to choose High-Deductible Plan G. 

In some states, there are situations where the worst-case scenario of a High-Deductible Plan G (paying the full deductible) still costs less than the annual premiums of a traditional Plan G. 

Potential Issues of Medicare Supplement Plans

There is no such thing as the perfect Medicare plan. Every plan has potential issues to understand before enrolling. 

Here are three potential issues that all three Medicare Supplement Plans above share. 

Higher Premiums

Medicare Supplement Plans (even High-Deductible Plan G) have significantly higher premiums when compared to Medicare Advantage Plans (which usually cost $0 to sign up). 

Aside from this, you also still have to pay the Medicare Part B premium on top of your plan premium. The standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026 costs $202.90/mo, but can be higher depending on your income. 

To put this in perspective, if we take the median annual premium in Los Angeles, then add the annual premium for the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2026, here’s how much you can spend on premiums alone (even if you never use the plan): 

Medigap Plan G	Medigap Plan N	High-Deductible Plan G
$5,038.80/yr	$4,570.80/yr	$3,358.80/yr

Also, always remember that Medicare Supplement premiums usually go up every year. These are just the median costs for a 65-year-old male. 

No Drug Coverage

Medicare Supplement Plans also don’t have built-in prescription drug coverage. Unless you have creditable drug coverage from elsewhere (such as the VA, FEHB, or TRICARE), most people enroll in a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to avoid penalties. 

Medicare Part D plans are free to set their own premiums, so you may find plans in your area with a $0 premium, and others with a $100+ premium. However, according to the KFF, the average Medicare Part D premium in 2026 is around $36/mo. 

With that in mind, here’s how much you may spend in a year for your Medicare Part B premium, Medicare Supplement plan premium, and the average Part D premium combined:

Medigap Plan G	Medigap Plan N	High-Deductible Plan G
$5,470.80/yr	$5,002.80/yr	$3,790.80/yr

Medical Underwriting

If you enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan within six months of your Medicare Part B start date, the plan has to take you in with no questions asked. This is known as the Medigap Open Enrollment Period. 

However, after this 6-month window, most Medicare Supplement Plans will require you to medically qualify for their plan. They typically ask you around 30 health-related questions, and if you have had a health condition such as cancer, a recent heart attack, or diabetes, the plan can reject your enrollment application or charge you higher than the preferred rate. 

Several states (such as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York) have rules that prevent or limit medical underwriting. But in most states, switching from Medicare Advantage to Medicare Supplement can be difficult. 

This prevents people from starting with a $0 Medicare Advantage Plan and only joining a Medicare Supplement Plan once they get sick and want the lower out-of-pocket costs. 

Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage Plans (also known as Medicare Part C) work very differently from Medicare Supplement Plans. Instead of “supplementing” Original Medicare by covering the out-of-pocket costs of Medicare Parts A and B, Medicare Advantage Plans are described as “bundled” plans that include inpatient and outpatient coverage (Medicare Part A and B), drug coverage (Medicare Part D), and several extra benefits. 

There are many Medicare Advantage Plans with a $0 premium, meaning you don’t have to pay anything aside from the Medicare Part B premium ($202.90/mo in 2026) to sign up. They also have built-in prescription drug coverage, so you don’t have to spend for a standalone Medicare Part D Plan. 

Unlike Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans are not standardized. This means that they are free to set their own deductibles, copays, and coinsurance when you use the plan. They are also free to set their own maximum out-of-pocket (MOOP) limits.

Finally, Medicare Advantage Plans have many extra perks not included with Original Medicare and Medicare Supplement. This could include things like routine dental, vision, and hearing care, over-the-counter cards, gym memberships, transportation, Flex Cards, and many more. 

However, Medicare Advantage Plans have networks. Depending on the type of Medicare Advantage Plan you choose, you may not be covered if you go out of network (unless it’s an emergency), or you may have to pay higher copays. Most Medicare Advantage Plans also typically require prior authorization for some procedures. 

To learn more about these plans and see if they could be the right plan fit for you, read our full Medicare Advantage overview here. 

Ready to Enroll in Medicare?

There is no such thing as the “best” Medicare plan. There’s only what’s best for you. 

Whether you’re leaning towards a Medicare Supplement Plan G for its comprehensive coverage… 

A Plan N for its lower premiums but similar coverage to Plan G… 

A High-Deductible Plan G for the lower premiums without getting into a Medicare Advantage plan…

Or even a $0 Medicare Advantage Plan…don’t let what other people say or choose affect your decision. 

But if you’re still unsure which of these options is the best plan fit for you, take our quick, 2-minute Medicare quiz. 

In it, we’ll ask you what your preferences are, and match them to the plan that suits your answers. We’ll also show you the exact plans available in your area (and how much they cost!). 

So get started with the Medicare quiz today by clicking the button below: