The average couple retiring at 65 will spend $315,000+ on medical expenses.
(Fidelity, 2026)
$0 prescription drug coverage, 20% of physician fees that Part B does not cover, plus $1,556 Part A deductible you are responsible for
— How to Close the Gaps
Four Ways to Protect Yourself
Here are the four coverage paths MediGap Advisors helps you navigate to cover the gaps of original Medicare — and we’re the only agency in the country with expertise in all four.
Medicare Supplement
Fills the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare. Freedom to see any doctor nationwide.
Medicare Advantage
Medi-Share 65+
Part D Drug Plans
TOP MEDICARE supplement insurance companies
Medicare Supplement Insurance
Medicare Supplement (MediGap) insurance fills the cost-sharing gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. In exchange for a predictable monthly premium, your policy covers deductibles, coinsurance, and copays — so your out-of-pocket costs become stable and predictable.
Unlike Medicare Advantage, there are no provider networks to worry about. If your doctor accepts Medicare patients, you can use your Supplement benefits with them — anywhere in the country.
As of 2026, there are ten standardized MediGap plans (A–N). The most popular among new enrollees are Plan G and Plan N, since Plan F — the most comprehensive — is closed to new signups.
What All Supplement Plans Cover:
Most Popular New Enrollee Choice
Medicare Supplement Plan G — Maximum Protection
Plan G offers the broadest coverage available to new enrollees. Your only out-of-pocket exposure is the annual Part B deductible ($233 in 2026). It covers everything Plan F did except that one deductible.
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BEST Value
Medicare Supplement Plan N — Lower Premium, Small Tradeoffs
Plan N is identical to Plan G except it excludes “excess charges” and requires a small copay at doctor visits. If your state doesn’t allow excess charges, Plan N gives you nearly the same coverage as G at a meaningfully lower monthly premium.
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Budget-Friendly
Medicare Plan A — The Basics
Plan A is the most affordable Supplement option. It covers the core Part A and Part B coinsurance but leaves you responsible for deductibles and doesn’t include extras like skilled nursing or foreign travel coverage.
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Medicare Advantage Plans
Medicare Advantage lets you access your Medicare benefits through a private managed-care insurer. Many plans include prescription drug coverage, and some even offer $0 monthly premiums.
Zero-Premium Options
All-in-One Coverage
Most MA plans bundle Parts A, B, and often Part D prescription coverage into a single plan.
Bonus Benefits
Special Needs Plans
Medi-Share 65+ Health Sharing
Medi-Share 65+ is a health-sharing ministry program that covers the same gaps as MediGap Plan G — but at a fraction of the monthly cost for most areas. Members pool contributions to share each other’s Medicare out-of-pocket expenses after a $500 annual household portion.
Sign up at age 65 and Medi-Share locks in your rate for 10 years — a benefit unique to this program. No pre-existing condition restrictions if you enroll during your initial Medicare open enrollment or during the annual Medi-Share open enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7). Note: like MediGap, Medi-Share does not cover prescription drugs.
Part D Drug Plans
Neither Original Medicare, MediGap, nor Medi-Share covers prescription drugs. A standalone Part D plan is the simplest way to add that coverage.
What to Check Before Enrolling
2026 Part D Costs
Compare Your Options at a Glance
Every plan type has tradeoffs. This table is designed to let you spot what matters most to you quickly.
| Feature | Medi-Share 65+ | MediGap Plan G | Medicare Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Health-sharing (non-profit ministry) | Private insurance | Private managed care |
| Monthly Cost | $99 (age 65–75) $150 (age 76+) | Varies — avg $250+ | Often $0 (zero-premium options) |
| Max Out-of-Pocket | $500/year (AHP) | Part B deductible ($233) | Varies by plan |
| Choose Any Doctor? | Yes | Yes | Network Only (non-emergency care) |
| See Specialist w/o Referral? | Yes | Yes | HMO: No | PPO: Yes |
| Works Nationwide? | Yes | Yes | Mostly regional |
| Foreign Travel Coverage? | No | 80% emergency care abroad | No |
| Prescription Drug Coverage? | No – Add Part D | No – Add Part D | Most plans include it |
| Mayo / Cleveland Clinic? | Included | Included | May not be in network |
| Medical Underwriting? | Required to join | Guaranteed issue within 6mo of Part B | Guaranteed during open enrollment |
Medi-Share 65+
MediGap Plan G
Medicare Advantage
Why Choose MediGap Advisors?
Expertise Across All Plans
We’re the only nationwide agency advising on MediGap, Medicare Advantage, Medi-Share, and Part D — so you get a truly objective recommendation, not just what we sell the most of.
Your Personal Benefits Manager
You get one dedicated, licensed expert — not a call center. They know your situation and follow up annually to make sure your plan still fits as your needs change.
Always Free to You
Consultations, quotes, and plan comparisons are completely free. We’re compensated by carriers — our job is to find you the best deal, not the most expensive one.
MediGap Advisors is the only major agency in the country that can advise and enroll you across all three major approaches to protecting yourself under Medicare: healthsharing (Medi-Share 65+), MediGap Supplement plans, and Medicare Advantage — plus standalone Part D.
Frequently Asked Questions
All Medicare supplement plans must cover all benefits offered under Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). That includes hospital costs, physicians’ charges, durable medical equipment, lab fees, and at least partial coverage for up to three pints of blood. (All standard Medicare Supplement plans cover blood costs, though Plan K and Plan L cover just 50% and 75% of the cost of the first three pints of blood, respectively.
When can I apply for a Medicare supplement plan?
Your initial six-month MediGap enrollment period begins when you enroll in Medicare Part B. The best time to purchase a MediGap plan is when you first become eligible for Medicare. You are guaranteed enrollment at this time, even if you have pre-existing conditions, and you qualify for the best pricing.
You can also apply for a MediGap plan later – but it will probably cost more, and you will have to undergo medical underwriting, which means you could possibly be turned down for MediGap coverage.
When can I apply for Medicare Advantage?
Generally, you can enroll in Medicare Advantage only during one of these open enrollment periods:
Your initial enrollment period (IEP). For most enrollees, this begins three months before the month in which you turn age 65, and ends at the end of the third month after the month in which you turn age 65, for a total of seven months.
Example: You turn 65 in July of 2027. Your open enrollment period begins on April 1st, 2027, and ends on October 31st, 2027. If you became eligible for Medicare early due to a medical condition, your open enrollment period is based on your 25th month of receiving Social Security disability benefits.
After a late enrollment in Part B. If you delayed enrolling in Part B because you were covered under a workplace plan, you can enroll in Part B after losing that coverage, under an 8-month special enrollment period. You can enroll in Medicare Advantage after you have signed up for both Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.
During the General Enrollment period (GEP). The Medicare annual GEP period runs from January 1st through March 31st of each year for coverage that becomes effective July 1st. If you are enrolled in Parts A and B, you can sign up for Medicare Advantage during April and June for coverage effective July 1st, regardless of your medical history, and even if you didn’t sign up for it when you first became eligible.
How much do Medicare supplement plans usually cost?
Medicare supplement insurance (MediGap) premiums are affordable for most. But actual monthly premiums vary based on your age, sex, location, and whether you use tobacco. Insurance companies set premiums, and these can vary from company to company, even for the same individual.
That said, Medicare supplement plans in 2026 usually cost an average of about $150 per month, though some plans with narrower benefits like Plan A can cost young, healthy non-smokers.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation analysis, recommendation, and quote!
Should everyone enroll in a Medicare Supplement or Advantage plan?
No. There are some cases where it may not make sense to enroll in either MediGap or Medicare Advantage. For example, you may consider delaying enrollment if you are still covered under a workplace plan, or if you are enrolled in TRICARE, the military health care system.
Call us for an individualized analysis if you may be dual eligible for Medicaid and Medicare, or if you are trying to decide whether a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan may be right for you.
What are the Top 3 Medicare supplement plans?
The top 3 Medicare Supplement plans, in order of popularity, are Plan F, Plan G, and plan N, which combined account for more than 80% of Medicare supplement plans sold. Plan F is no longer open to new enrollees.
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