Best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans 2026

If you’re looking for the best Medigap plans in 2026, the top contenders remain Plan G, Plan N, and (for eligible individuals) Plan F, with Plan A and Plan L as viable alternatives depending on your health and budget. What this means is – select the plan letter based on your expected usage, eligibility (especially for Plan F), and pricing in your state.

Also Read About: What are the Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans

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Why 2026 matters for choosing Medigap

Here’s the thing: You may already know what Medigap (supplemental Medicare insurance) does. What you might not realize is how 2026 is shaping up as a key year. With rising Medicare costs, regulatory tweaks, and state-by-state differences, your choice in 2026 could lock in your financial exposure for years to come.
In this article I’ll walk you through:

What’s changed or expected to change in 2026 for Medigap.
Which plan letters tend to perform best given today’s environment.
How to match your individual situation (health, age, state, budget) to the right plan.
Practical steps you should take now to position yourself.
Stick with me until the end and you’ll have actionable insight not just theory so you can pick smart, not just safe.

(Soft cliffhanger: Later I’ll reveal which “second-tier” plan might make sense if you’re healthy and want to save money.)

What’s changing in 2026 for Medigap / Medicare supplement coverage

Before we jump into plan letters, we need to understand the context because some of what makes one plan “best” today depends on what’s shifting.

Cost and premium pressures

According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services projections, the standard Medicare Part B monthly premium is expected to rise in 2026 (reported as going from about $185 to potentially ~$206.50).
Higher base Medicare costs mean the value of good Medigap coverage increases because the “gap” you’re supplementing grows.
In states like Minnesota there are upcoming rule changes for Medigap enrollees with pre-existing conditions.

Regulatory / availability shifts

The “2026 Medicare & You” handbook and updates indicate that starting Jan 1 2026, beneficiaries should actively compare their Medicare Supplement insurance policies.
Because switching later may be harder (due to underwriting etc) getting into the right plan now is more important than ever.

Why this matters for plan choice

Because premiums may continue to rise, and your usage/unexpected health events may change, selecting a plan that offers the right balance of premium cost vs out-of-pocket risk becomes critical. What “best” means for you may differ from what it means for someone else.

Top Medigap Plans for 2026: What they cover + when they stand out

Here are the standout plan letters for 2026. I’ll go through each, explain why they’re worth considering, and what you should check.

1. Plan G

What it covers: All the core Medigap benefits (hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance, Part A deductible, foreign travel emergency care), except the Medicare Part B deductible.
Why it’s top for 2026:

For almost all new Medicare enrollees post-2020, Plan F is no longer available, making Plan G the go-to “comprehensive” option.
With base Medicare costs rising, reducing coinsurance/coins is more important.
When it makes sense:
If you expect moderate to high usage of health services.
If you want to minimize surprises in out-of-pocket costs.
What to check:
Premiums in your state for Plan G.
Whether the insurer uses issue-age or attained-age rating (which affects future cost growth).
Your health status: if you’re older or have chronic conditions, Plan G becomes more valuable.

2. Plan N

What it covers: A strong level of coverage, but you’ll see some copays (e.g., doctor visits may require a copay, emergency room visits without admission may carry a fee) and it doesn’t cover excess charges in many states.
Why it’s top for 2026:

Lower premium than Plan G typically, while still offering very good protection.
For many healthy retirees, this is “smart value”.
When it makes sense:
If you expect low to moderate usage of health care.
If you’re budget conscious and willing to accept small extra costs when you do use care.
What to check:
Understand the copays and where the extra cost kicks in.
Make sure your doctors accept assignments (if excess charges are an issue).
Review how much you’d spend if you needed frequent visits.

3. Plan F (only if you’re eligible)

What it covers: All major cost-sharing under Original Medicare (including the Part B deductible) the “top tier” route.
Why it’s still relevant in 2026:

If you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 then you can still buy Plan F. Otherwise you cannot.
For high-usage individuals, Plan F may reduce unpredictability.
When it makes sense:
If you’re older, or expect heavy medical usage or frequent specialist visits/hospitalizations.
What to check:
Premiums are higher than other plans.
If your health usage is low, you may pay more upfront in premium than you’ll save.

4. Plan A

What it covers: The basic Medigap coverage: hospital coinsurance, Part A hospice, some blood, skilled nursing coinsurance. It’s the minimum of the standardized plans.
Why it’s worth considering in 2026:

Lower premium than the “full-coverage” plans.
If you’re very healthy and expect minimal usage, you may find good value here.
When it makes sense:
If you have very few doctor/hospital visits historically.
If budget is tight and you’re comfortable with more risk.
What to check:
Because you’ll have more cost sharing when you do need care, it’s riskier.
If your health status changes (which often it does over time), you may regret the lower protection.

5. Plan L

What it covers: A mid-tier option (not available in all states) you pay part of the coinsurance/coins until a certain out-of-pocket cap is reached, then plan pays 100%.
Why it matters in 2026:

As premiums rise, some may prefer “moderate” protection instead of top tier.
If you expect moderate usage but want an out-of-pocket cap safety net, this can work.
When it makes sense:
If your health usage is expected to be moderate (neither minimal nor heavy).
If your budget fits the premium and you’re comfortable sharing risk up to the cap.
What to check:
The out-of-pocket cap amount (varies by state).
How quickly you might hit that cap based on your care usage.
If premiums escalate in your state toward that plan letter.

How to pick the best Medigap plan for you in 2026

Choosing the “best” plan isn’t about picking the letter everyone else picks. It’s about picking the one that fits your situation. Here’s a 5-step process.

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility & limiters

Did you turn 65 or first enroll in Medicare Part B before Jan 1 2020? If yes you may still be eligible for Plan F. If not, Plan F is off the table.
Confirm your residence state – different states may have different available plans, rating systems, or rules.
Ensure you’re on Original Medicare (Parts A & B) rather than Medicare Advantage if you want to add Medigap.

Step 2: Estimate your health care usage

Review your last 1-2 years: how many doctor visits, ER visits, hospital stays?
Are you managing chronic conditions or expect to in future?
Do you travel frequently (foreign travel emergency coverage becomes more relevant)?
If you expect high usage → leaning toward Plan G or Plan F. If you expect low usage → maybe Plan N or Plan A.

Step 3: Compare premiums & future increases

Get quotes for Plan G, Plan N, Plan A (and Plan L if available) from multiple insurers in your ZIP code.
Ask the insurer: what rating method do you use (attained-age vs issue-age vs community)? That affects how your premium will grow.
Consider yourself aging – a plan with moderate premium now but big cost later may not work.
Example micro-story: A client of mine opted for Plan N at age 66, healthy, saw two minor specialist visits that year premiums + copays came in lower than expected for Plan G premium would have been.

Step 4: Understand switching and underwriting rules

Outside your Medigap open enrollment period (6 months after you turn 65 and have Part B), switching plans may require health underwriting.
If you switch to a lower-benefit plan, some states allow it easier; switching to a higher-benefit plan later may be harder or more expensive.
Rule change in Minnesota for 2026 may expand access for people previously denied due to pre-existing conditions.
This means your initial plan choice in 2026 carries weight.

Step 5: Revisit annually and stay alert

Premiums go up, your health may change, doctors change networks, your travel patterns may change.
Use open enrollment periods, or annual review windows, to compare alternatives.
Keep an eye on state regulation changes (2026 may bring more).
Micro-hook: Ignore this step and you’ll end up paying too much or under-insured.

Quick Guide: Which Plan Letter Suits Which Profile (2026 edition)

Profile	Best plan letter	Why
Expect heavy usage or many specialist/hospital visits	Plan G (or Plan F if eligible)	Broadest coverage → fewer out-of-pocket surprises.
Expect low-to-moderate usage; want value	Plan N	Good protection, lower premium, willing to handle minor copays.
Very healthy, minimal visits, tight budget	Plan A	Basic safety net, lowest premium among major options.
Moderate usage, want balance of coverage & premium	Plan L (if available)	Moderate cost, moderate risk.
Became eligible for Medicare before Jan 1 2020 and expect heavy usage	Plan F	The “luxury” of full coverage for eligible persons.

Final Thoughts: What you should do right now

Here’s what I recommend as your action list for the optimal move in 2026:

If you’re turning 65 or shortly after: start comparing Medigap plans now you’ll have your 6-month open enrollment window.
If you already have a Medigap plan: check the premium increases slated for 2026 from your insurer.
Request quotes for Plan G, N, A and L in your state to understand your options and cost differences.
Review your health usage and future trajectory don’t assume you’ll stay low-usage forever.
Make your decision and lock it in; because switching later may be harder or costlier.
Getting this right now in 2026 will save you stress, money and surprise medical bills later.