Medicare Supplement Plans
A complete overview of all available Medigap plans, what affects your premium, enrollment rules, and the critical Medigap Open Enrollment Period you don't want to miss.
Overview of Medicare Supplement Plans
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans are private insurance policies that help pay the out-of-pocket costs left over from Original Medicare. There are 10 standardized plan types, each identified by a letter. Every plan offers a specific set of benefits defined by the federal government, so the coverage is identical from carrier to carrier.
Plans range from basic coverage (Plan A) to comprehensive coverage (Plan F and Plan G), with several options in between that balance premium costs with out-of-pocket protection. Understanding what each plan offers is the first step toward finding the right Medicare Supplement coverage for your needs.
All Available Medigap Plans
Plan A
BasicThe most basic Medigap plan. Covers Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, blood, and hospice care coinsurance. Does not cover deductibles, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, or foreign travel emergencies.
Plan B
BasicIncludes everything in Plan A plus coverage for the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2025). A straightforward option that adds hospital deductible protection to the basic benefits.
Plan C
ComprehensiveA comprehensive plan that covers the Part B deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergencies in addition to core benefits. Only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Only available to those eligible for Medicare before 1/1/2020
Plan D
ComprehensiveSimilar to Plan C but without Part B deductible coverage. Includes skilled nursing facility coinsurance and foreign travel emergency coverage. Available to all Medicare enrollees regardless of eligibility date.
Plan F
ComprehensiveThe most complete Medigap plan, covering all Medicare gaps including Part B deductible and Part B excess charges. Only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Also available as a high-deductible version.
Only available to those eligible for Medicare before 1/1/2020
Plan G
ComprehensiveCovers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible. The most popular plan for new enrollees due to lower premiums that more than offset the deductible cost. Also available as a high-deductible version.
Plan K
Cost-SharingA cost-sharing plan that covers 50% of most benefits with a yearly out-of-pocket limit. Once you reach the limit, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. Lower premiums than full-coverage plans.
Plan L
Cost-SharingSimilar to Plan K but covers 75% of most benefits instead of 50%. Features a lower annual out-of-pocket limit than Plan K. Offers a balance between premium savings and cost protection.
Plan M
ModerateCovers 50% of the Part A deductible along with skilled nursing facility coinsurance and foreign travel emergencies. Does not cover Part B deductible or Part B excess charges. Moderate premium option.
Plan N
ModerateA popular lower-premium alternative that covers most benefits but requires small copays for some office visits (up to $20) and ER visits without admission (up to $50). Does not cover Part B deductible or excess charges.
What Affects Your Medigap Premium?
While benefits are standardized, the amount you pay each month for your Medigap plan depends on several factors.
Your Age
Most carriers in Florida use attained-age pricing, which means your premium is based on your current age and increases as you get older. Some carriers offer issue-age pricing, where the rate is locked to the age at which you purchased the policy. Community-rated pricing charges everyone the same rate regardless of age, though this is less common in Florida.
Your Location
Insurance companies set rates based on your geographic area, typically by ZIP code or county. Rates in Hernando County and the surrounding Brooksville area may differ from rates in Tampa, Orlando, or other parts of Florida. Even within the same state, prices can vary significantly from one county to another.
Tobacco Use
Most carriers charge higher premiums for tobacco users. The tobacco surcharge can add 10% to 25% or more to your monthly premium. Some carriers define tobacco use as any use within the past 12 months, while others use different timeframes. Quitting tobacco before enrolling can result in meaningful savings.
Gender
In many states, including Florida, insurance carriers are permitted to use gender as a rating factor for Medigap policies. Historically, women tend to receive slightly lower premiums than men for the same plan and age, though this varies by carrier.
Discounts Available
Many carriers offer discounts that can lower your premium. Common discounts include household or married-couple discounts (5% to 12%), electronic funds transfer (EFT) payment discounts, non-smoker discounts, and in some cases loyalty discounts for existing policyholders. Always ask about available discounts when shopping for a plan.
The Insurance Carrier
Because Medigap plans are standardized, the same plan letter covers the same benefits regardless of the carrier. However, premiums can vary by 30% or more between companies for the exact same coverage. This is why shopping multiple carriers is essential — and why working with an independent agent who can compare rates across many companies saves you both time and money.
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period
The Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the single most important enrollment window for Medicare Supplement plans. It begins on the first day of the month in which you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. This period lasts for 6 months.
Why This Period Matters
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you have a federally guaranteed right to buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of your health status. Insurance companies:
- Cannot deny you coverage for any reason
- Cannot charge you more because of past or present health problems
- Cannot make you wait for coverage to start (no waiting periods for pre-existing conditions)
- Must sell you any Medigap plan they offer at the standard rate
What Happens If You Miss This Window?
If you apply for a Medigap policy after your Open Enrollment Period ends, insurance companies can use medical underwriting to decide whether to accept your application. They may charge you a higher premium, exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, or decline your application entirely based on your health history. This is why enrolling during your Open Enrollment Period is so critical.
Medigap Enrollment Rules
Beyond the Open Enrollment Period, there are specific rules and circumstances that govern when and how you can enroll in a Medigap plan:
Guaranteed Issue Rights
In certain situations, federal law gives you guaranteed issue rights to buy a Medigap policy without medical underwriting, even outside your Open Enrollment Period. These situations include: losing your Medicare Advantage plan coverage (e.g., the plan leaves your area or goes out of business), your employer group health plan coverage ending, or your Medigap insurance company going bankrupt. During guaranteed issue, the carrier cannot deny you or charge higher premiums due to health conditions.
Medicare Advantage Trial Right
If you joined a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare, you have a 12-month trial right to leave the Medicare Advantage plan and return to Original Medicare with guaranteed issue rights to a Medigap policy. Similarly, if you dropped a Medigap policy to try Medicare Advantage for the first time, you can return to your Medigap plan (or a plan with equal or lesser benefits from the same company) within 12 months with guaranteed issue rights.
Applying Outside Open Enrollment
If you apply for a Medigap plan outside of your Open Enrollment Period and do not have guaranteed issue rights, insurance companies can use medical underwriting. This means they will review your health history and may deny coverage, charge higher premiums, or impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. The underwriting process varies by carrier, and some are more lenient than others. An experienced agent can help you identify carriers most likely to approve your application.
Under-65 Medigap in Florida
Florida law requires insurance companies that sell Medigap plans to also offer coverage to Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 (those who qualify for Medicare due to disability or End-Stage Renal Disease). However, premiums for under-65 beneficiaries are typically higher, and not all plan letters may be available. If you are under 65 and on Medicare, contact us to learn about your specific options in the Brooksville area.
Prescription Drug Coverage
An important thing to remember is that Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. If you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, you will need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan to cover your medications.
Medicare Part D plans are offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare. Each Part D plan has its own formulary (list of covered drugs) and cost structure. Choosing the right Part D plan depends on the specific medications you take and the pharmacies you prefer.
Our agents can help you pair the right Medigap plan with the best Part D plan for your prescriptions, ensuring you have complete coverage without paying more than necessary.
Ready to Find Your Medigap Plan?
We will compare plans and rates from multiple top-rated carriers to find the coverage that fits your health needs and budget. Our guidance is always free.