Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance costs $70–$300 per month in 2026, depending on your plan type, age, state, gender, and tobacco use. Plan G — the most popular option — averages $120–$180/month for a 65-year-old. Plan N averages $90–$140/month. Premiums for the same plan can vary by 50% or more between insurers in the same state, making comparison shopping essential.
All Medicare Supplement plans are federally standardized. Every insurer offering Plan G must provide identical coverage — only the premium differs. The table below shows 2026 average monthly premium ranges for a 65-year-old female non-smoker, which is the most common enrollment profile and the baseline used by most comparison tools.
| Plan | Monthly Premium | Annual Cost | Key Coverage Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G Most Popular | $120–$180 | $1,440–$2,160 | Covers everything except $257 Part B deductible |
| Plan N | $90–$140 | $1,080–$1,680 | Plan G minus excess charges; adds $20/$50 copays |
| Plan G High-Deductible | $30–$65 | $360–$780 | Same as Plan G after $2,870 deductible is met |
| Plan F Pre-2020 only | $150–$250 | $1,800–$3,000 | Covers Part B deductible too; closed to new enrollees since 2020 |
| Plan K | $55–$90 | $660–$1,080 | Covers 50% of most benefits; $7,220 OOP max (2026) |
| Plan L | $75–$120 | $900–$1,440 | Covers 75% of most benefits; $3,610 OOP max (2026) |
| Plan A | $70–$110 | $840–$1,320 | Covers only Part A/B coinsurance; minimal protection |
| Plan B | $90–$130 | $1,080–$1,560 | Plan A plus Part A deductible coverage |
Plans C and D exist but are rarely sold. Plan F and Plan C are unavailable to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. For anyone new to Medicare in 2026, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available.
Most Medigap insurers use attained-age pricing, which means your premium increases each year as you get older. The table below shows typical Plan G and Plan N monthly premiums at key ages for a non-smoking woman in a mid-cost state like Florida or Colorado.
| Age | Plan G/month | Plan G/year | Plan N/month | Plan N/year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $140 | $1,680 | $108 | $1,296 |
| 70 | $178 | $2,136 | $138 | $1,656 |
| 75 | $220 | $2,640 | $172 | $2,064 |
| 80 | $268 | $3,216 | $212 | $2,544 |
| 85 | $320 | $3,840 | $255 | $3,060 |
These are mid-range estimates. Premiums vary considerably by insurer — it is entirely possible to find Plan G at age 65 for $115/month or $200/month from different companies in the same state, both providing exactly the same coverage. This is why comparison shopping is essential.
State regulations, insurer competition, and local healthcare costs create enormous variation in Medigap premiums. Here are the 10 cheapest and 10 most expensive states for Plan G at age 65 (female, non-tobacco) in 2026:
| State | Avg Monthly |
|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $92–$118 |
| Kansas | $94–$120 |
| Iowa | $96–$122 |
| Nebraska | $98–$124 |
| Missouri | $100–$128 |
| Arkansas | $102–$130 |
| Idaho | $105–$132 |
| Wyoming | $106–$134 |
| North Dakota | $108–$136 |
| South Dakota | $109–$138 |
| State | Avg Monthly |
|---|---|
| New York | $280–$360 |
| Massachusetts | $190–$250 |
| Connecticut | $185–$240 |
| New Jersey | $180–$235 |
| California | $175–$240 |
| Maryland | $165–$220 |
| Washington | $162–$215 |
| Hawaii | $158–$210 |
| Massachusetts | $155–$205 |
| Oregon | $152–$200 |
New York is a special case: state law requires community rating, meaning all enrollees pay the same premium regardless of age. This makes New York premiums very high at age 65 (because insurers price for the full age distribution) but relatively competitive by age 80. It also means that in New York, there is no open enrollment window advantage — you can buy Medigap at any age without medical underwriting.
Five factors drive your individual Medigap premium. Understanding each one helps you minimize your cost.
Enrolling during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period at age 65 locks in the lowest available premium for your age. Under attained-age pricing (the most common method), premiums increase each year as you get older. Under issue-age pricing, your premium is based on your age at enrollment and does not increase as you age — only for general inflation. Identifying whether an insurer uses attained-age or issue-age pricing can dramatically affect your long-term cost.
In most states, insurers charge men 5–15% more than women for the same Medigap plan, reflecting longer average female lifespans and lower healthcare utilization patterns in early Medicare years. By age 80+, this differential often narrows significantly.
Tobacco users face surcharges of 10–50% above standard rates at most insurers. A 65-year-old who smokes might pay $170–$200/month for Plan G while a non-smoker pays $120–$140. Quitting before applying — and ideally allowing 12 months before your Medigap application — eliminates this surcharge at most insurers.
As shown above, premiums vary dramatically by state. Moving from New York to Florida could cut your Plan G premium in half. This doesn't mean moving states for Medigap savings makes sense for most people, but it's relevant context for retirees already considering relocation.
This is the most actionable factor. Because all Plan G policies offer identical coverage, the only reason to pay more is brand preference. In most states, the most expensive Plan G insurer charges 40–60% more than the least expensive for the same coverage. Using a free Medicare comparison tool or a licensed SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselor to compare quotes before enrolling is the single most effective way to reduce your Medigap cost.
These are the five most effective strategies to reduce what you pay for Medicare Supplement coverage:
For most Medicare beneficiaries with regular healthcare needs, yes. Original Medicare leaves you exposed to the Part A deductible ($1,632 per benefit period), 20% of all Part B costs with no out-of-pocket maximum, and skilled nursing coinsurance. A serious illness or surgery can generate tens of thousands in Medicare cost-sharing. Plan G at $1,680–$2,160/year provides a known, fixed cap on that exposure. People who are in excellent health and see doctors rarely may find Medicare Advantage's lower premiums more cost-effective, but they accept network restrictions and higher in-use costs in exchange.
No. Medicare Supplement plans do not cover prescription drugs. You need a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. The standard Part D premium in 2026 averages around $55/month, though costs vary by plan and the specific drugs you take. Enrolling in Part D during your initial enrollment period avoids a late enrollment penalty.
Yes — if you enroll during your guaranteed-issue period (the 6 months starting when you turn 65 with Part B). During this window, no insurer can deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on health history. Outside this window, you will typically face medical underwriting and can be denied or surcharged. A few states — including New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maine — have additional protections that allow year-round guaranteed issue.
Complete guide to every Medicare Supplement plan type with 2026 coverage details.
Read Guide →Side-by-side breakdown of the two most popular Medigap plans for 2026 enrollees.
Compare Plans →Which is right for you? Full cost and coverage comparison for 2026.
See Comparison →Confirm your enrollment dates and coverage options for 2026.
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