Medigap in 2026: Compare Plans, Prices, and Value Now

Planning your 2026 Medicare Supplement (Medigap) coverage doesn’t have to be confusing.

This guide explains what’s changing, how to compare plan letters (like Plan G and Plan N), and how to match a policy to your health needs and budget—whether you’re enrolling at 65, reassessing coverage as costs rise, or helping a loved one.

What’s changing for Medigap in 2026?

Standardization remains the backbone. Medigap benefits are standardized by letter in most states, so a Plan G from one insurer covers the same core benefits as a Plan G from another. For 2026, the standardized benefits aren’t expected to change, but the underlying Medicare cost-sharing amounts (like Part A and Part B deductibles and coinsurance) are updated annually by the government. That means what you pay out of pocket—or what your Medigap plan covers—may shift slightly as CMS finalizes the 2026 figures.

Premiums will adjust. Carriers typically refile rates yearly based on medical inflation, claims experience, and your age rating method (community, issue-age, or attained-age). Expect some plans to rise more than others depending on your area and insurer. Companies offering a Humana Medicare Supplement policy, for example, may take different pricing approaches than competitors, even though benefits are standardized. Keep an eye on household discounts, EFT/paperless billing savings, and tobacco-use surcharges when you compare quotes.

Eligibility rules continue from prior years. Plan F (and High-Deductible F) remains available only if you were Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. Newly eligible beneficiaries will typically compare Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G in 2026. Some states are discussing incremental standardization/consumer-protection updates, but the big framework for Medigap lettered plans remains intact for 2026.

How to compare Medigap letters in 2026

Plan G: The most comprehensive option for people newly eligible since 2020. It generally covers all Medicare-approved gaps except the Part B deductible. Predictable costs, minimal bills after the Part B deductible is met, and broad provider access make it a popular choice.

Plan N: Lower monthly premiums than Plan G in many markets. You’ll typically pay small copays (for example, at the doctor or ER if not admitted) and Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges. If your state limits excess charges or your doctors accept Medicare assignment, Plan N can be excellent value. Look at insurer offerings like Humana Plan N for a sense of how pricing compares to Plan G in your ZIP code.

High-Deductible Plan G (HD-G): A budget-friendly way to cap worst-case costs if you’re healthy and comfortable with a higher annual deductible before the plan pays. Premiums can be much lower than standard Plan G, but you should be prepared to pay Medicare cost-sharing up to the annual HD-G deductible set each year.

Plan F (grandfathered): If you were eligible for Medicare before 1/1/2020, Plan F and High-Deductible F may still be available and can deliver very predictable spending by covering the Part B deductible. Compare premiums carefully; in some areas Plan G’s lower premium may outweigh the small Part B deductible you’d pay.

Which plans may offer the best value in 2026?

Match your plan to your health usage

Frequent care or multiple chronic conditions: Consider Plan G for simplicity and predictable costs once you meet the Part B deductible. If you’re eligible, Plan F may also be attractive—just weigh the premium difference.
Generally healthy, a few doctor visits a year: Plan N often delivers strong value with a lower premium. Just confirm your providers accept assignment and understand potential copays.
Cost-conscious with emergency protection in mind: High-Deductible Plan G can be appealing if you want a low monthly premium while protecting your budget from a very large bill.
Travelers and snowbirds: Plans G and N include a limited foreign travel emergency benefit. If you spend significant time out of state, Medigap’s nationwide access to Medicare providers is a plus versus many network-based alternatives.

Consider real-world pricing

Because benefits are standardized, price and rate stability often drive value. In many states, a 65-year-old non-smoking enrollee might see Plan G premiums cluster in broad ranges, with Plan N typically lower than Plan G and HD-G considerably lower still. Your rates will vary by ZIP code, age, gender, and rating method—and by carrier. Check whether household or autopay discounts apply and compare historical rate increases, not just today’s quote.

Enrollment timing and eligibility in 2026

Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Your six-month OEP starts the month you’re both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During OEP, you can buy any Medigap plan sold in your state with no medical underwriting. This is typically the best time to enroll.

Guaranteed Issue (GI) rights: Certain situations (e.g., losing employer coverage, your Medicare Advantage plan leaving your area, or moving out of a plan’s service area) give you time-limited GI rights to buy specific Medigap plans without medical underwriting. Keep documentation and act quickly—deadlines apply.

Switching later: Outside OEP and GI, most states allow insurers to use medical underwriting. Some states offer special switching windows or continuous enrollment protections. If you’re moving from a Medicare Advantage plan (including options like Humana Gold Plus) back to Original Medicare, plan ahead so you don’t have a gap before your Medigap policy starts.

Medicare Medicaid (dual eligibility): If you have full Medicaid along with Medicare, a Medigap policy usually isn’t necessary and may not be available. Medicaid often pays Medicare premiums and most cost-sharing. If you have partial Medicaid or are unsure, ask your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before you buy.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage: know the difference

Medigap supplements Original Medicare by paying some or all of your Part A and Part B cost-sharing. Medicare Advantage (MA) plans replace Original Medicare with a private plan that uses networks and its own cost-sharing and benefits. You can’t use Medigap with MA plans. If you’re evaluating Humana Advantage Plans 2026—including HMO options like Humana Gold Plus—remember those are MA plans, not Medigap. If you want the flexibility of seeing any Medicare-participating provider nationwide without referrals, Medigap is usually the better fit; if you prefer lower premiums and are comfortable with networks and prior authorization, MA might appeal more.

How to compare companies (same benefits, different prices)

Because benefits are standardized, your main differences across carriers are price, underwriting rules, discounts, and service. Look at:

Rate method: Community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age—this affects how your premium changes over time.
Rate history: Ask about the past 3–5 years of increases in your area.
Household and autopay discounts: These can make one insurer’s Humana Medicare Supplement Plan G or Humana Plan N more competitive versus rivals.
Customer support: Response times, digital tools, and claims handling can matter when you need care.

Your 7-step 2026 Medigap shopping checklist

Confirm whether you’re in your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or have a Guaranteed Issue right.
List your doctors, hospitals, and expected procedures. Estimate your likely 2026 healthcare use.
Decide on a plan letter (G, N, or HD-G for most new enrollees; F only if you were eligible before 2020).
Pull quotes from at least 4–5 insurers in your ZIP code for the same plan letter and compare discounts.
Check underwriting questions if you’re applying outside OEP/GI. Consider timing applications if you’re leaving an MA plan.
Review rate method and recent increases; favor stable pricing over the rock-bottom first-year premium.
Reassess annually—premiums change, and your health needs may shift.

2026 outlook: premiums, deductibles, and practical tips

CMS announces the Part B premium and deductible each fall for the coming year. As those numbers finalize for 2026, re-run your math: Plan G value depends partly on the Part B deductible, while Plan N’s value hinges on how often you visit the doctor and whether your providers charge excess fees.

Premiums will continue to vary widely by carrier and state. If you’re comparing a competitively priced Humana Plan N against other insurers, put them side by side with the same assumptions for doctor visits and labs. For many people, the lowest total annual cost comes from pairing the right plan letter with a carrier that has steady rate history—even if its first-year premium isn’t the cheapest.

Key takeaways

Medigap benefits are standardized; value comes from picking the right letter and a fairly priced company.
For most new enrollees in 2026, the core choices are Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible G; Plan F remains limited to those eligible before 2020.
Expect premium adjustments in 2026; compare multiple insurers and consider discounts and rate history.
Medigap and Medicare Advantage are different paths—don’t mix them. Evaluate MA options (e.g., Humana Advantage Plans 2026) separately from Medigap.
If you have Medicare Medicaid, Medigap is generally unnecessary—check with SHIP for personalized guidance.