The Top 5 Medicare Supplement Plans for 2026
If you’re turning 65 in 2026 and you’re wondering what the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans are, these would be my recommendations:
- Medicare Supplement Plan F
- Medicare Supplement Plan G
- Medicare Supplement Plan N
- Medicare Supplement High Deductible Plan G
- Medicare Supplement Plan K
I’ve been working with Medicare beneficiaries since 2018, and if someone asked me which one they should pick, I would recommend Medicare Supplement Plan G.
To clarify, I mentioned other Medicare supplement plans that may be worth considering, and I’ll discuss them shortly.
However, after speaking with hundreds of people on Medicare and helping them enroll in a plan, I still believe that Medicare Supplement Plan G offers the best value.
Why I Think Medicare Supplement Plan G is Best
Before I get into the details of the other plans, let me share with you why I believe so strongly in Medicare Supplement Plan G.
After working with hundreds of clients over the years, Plan G consistently offers the best balance of coverage and cost for most people turning 65. It covers nearly all of the gaps in Original Medicare, has broad doctor acceptance, and avoids the surprise bills that come with lower-coverage plans. It’s my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants strong, predictable coverage without overpaying.
It used to be that Medicare Supplement Plan F was the gold standard in Medigap coverage. Just by way of reminder, Medicare supplement plans and Medigap plans are the same thing. I’m not sure why we need two different names for them, but it’s something to keep in mind.
The reason Medicare Supplement Plan F was known as the “gold plan” or the “Cadillac plan,” by the way, not literally, but figuratively, was because of the comprehensive coverage it provided. As you may or may not know, Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap plans, are designed to cover the gaps left by Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement Plan F used to be the most comprehensive plan available, covering the majority of gaps.
What Medicare Supplement Plan F Used to Cover
Medicare Supplement Plan F covered critical gaps left over from original Medicare, including:
- Part A coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance
- Blood benefits (first 3 pints)
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency up to a specific limit
However, a change was implemented in 2020, where people eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, were no longer eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan F.
Why Medicare Supplement Plan G Is So Popular
This is when Medicare Supplement Plan G gained significant popularity. The reason is that it covered all of the same gaps as Medicare Supplement Plan F, with one exception: you could no longer have the Part B deductible as part of your Medigap monthly premium.
For context, the Medicare Supplement Plan B deductible for 2026 is $283.
Now the key thing to remember about this is Medicare Supplement Plan G has a lower monthly premium than Medicare Supplement Plan F. Before 2020 I would usually tell clients that were able to purchase F or G, whether you pay higher monthly premiums for Plan F or you pay your Part B deductible out-of-pocket with Plan G, there’s probably not going to be much of a cost difference overall.
This is the primary reason I still believe that in 2026, Medicare Supplement Plan G is likely the best option if you can afford it.
Medicare Supplement Comparison Chart
| Plan | Part B Deductible Covered | Excess Charges Covered | Foreign Travel | Monthly Premium | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F | Yes | Yes | Yes | High | Pre-2020 enrollees |
| G | No | Yes | Yes | Moderate | Most people |
| N | No | No | Yes | Low | Budget-conscious, healthy |
| HDG | No (High Deductible) | Yes | Yes | Low | High income, infrequent use |
| K | No (50% coinsurance) | No | No | Low | Rare usage, high risk |
Medicare Supplement Plan N: The Budget-Friendly Alternative
Now let’s talk about some of the other top Medicare Supplement plans in 2026 that you might consider.
We’ve already discussed Plan F and Plan G. Now, I’d like to talk about Plan N.
Medicare Supplement Plan N is quickly becoming the next most popular plan after Medicare Supplement Plan G., and there’s a good reason for that.
As I mentioned earlier, Medicare Supplement Plan G is very similar to Medicare Supplement Plan F, with one key difference: the Part B deductible is not covered.
Medicare Supplement Plan N is very similar to Plan G, with a few key differences that you should be aware of.
Similar to Medicare Supplement Plan G, the Part B deductible is not covered, so you will have to pay that out of pocket. Additionally, Medicare Supplement Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Also, with a Medicare Supplement Plan N, you may have a $20 copayment at the doctor’s office or a $50 copayment at the emergency room. So typically Medicare Supplement Plan N will have a lower monthly premium than Medicare Supplement Plan G; however, there are out-of-pocket costs that you don’t see with Plan G.
Who Might Choose Medicare Supplement Plan N
One of the very first clients I had who chose Medicare Supplement Plan N over Medicare Supplement G stated the reason for his choice was that he didn’t go to the doctor or the emergency room very much, and he didn’t anticipate that would change in the next couple of years. He concluded that if it did change, he would be okay with paying those co-payments down the road. So for him, it boiled down to a simple math or budget issue.
Since then, other clients I’ve helped secure a Medicare Supplement Plan N for have come to the same conclusion. Many of them have been able to save at least $70 a month on their monthly premium compared to Medicare Supplement Plan G, so in their mind, that’s extra cash in their pocket each month. That’s not a bad way to look at it, as long as you remember that your usage could change in the future, thereby increasing your risk of paying more copayments down the road.
I would recommend Medicare Supplement Plan N to someone who is relatively healthy, does not frequently visit the doctor or emergency room, and wants to save a little each month on premiums.
High Deductible Medigap Plan G: Lower Premium, Higher Risk
The next Medicare supplement Plan that I sometimes recommend for 2026 is the High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G. This plan is very similar to the regular Medicare Supplement Plan G, with one exception: like other high deductible plans, you will have to meet the 2026 amount of $2950 before the plan begins to pay. It’s essential to note that the deductible amount typically increases each year.
However, the cost of the monthly premiums can be significant. The average monthly price of a Medicare Supplement Plan G in 2026 is approximately $150, whereas the high-deductible Plan G costs around $50 on average.
Suppose you decide to enroll in the High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G. In that case, I recommend budgeting for the deductible so that, if you need to meet it, you have the necessary funds available.
I have clients who choose the High-Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan G because their income is high enough that if they did need to meet the deductible amount each year, it would not break the bank financially.
The deductible resets each year, so if you require ongoing treatment, you may end up meeting it in consecutive years.
Medicare Supplement Plan K: Not My First Choice
The last Medicare Supplement plan I’d recommend in 2026 is Plan K.
It’s not very popular, and honestly, it’s easy to see why. The premiums are lower, usually around $50 to $100 a month, but that’s because Plan K only covers 50 percent of many key expenses. That includes things like the Part A deductible, hospital coinsurance, and the 20 percent you would normally owe for doctor visits under Part B.
It also has a high out-of-pocket limit. In 2026, that number is 7,220 dollars. After you hit that amount, it covers 100 percent of Medicare-approved costs for the rest of the year. However, please note that it does not cover foreign travel emergencies.
Plan K might be an option for someone who is healthy and rarely visits the doctor, and wants a low premium. However, if you end up needing care more frequently, those out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up. That’s why most people pass on this one, and it’s not one I usually recommend.
Final Thoughts
I hope this helped you better understand the top 5 Medicare Supplement plans in 2026 and which one might be the best fit for your situation.
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan can feel like a big decision, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
I’ve helped hundreds of people compare plans and feel confident in their choice at 65. If you have questions, I’d be happy to discuss them with you.
No pressure—just honest help from someone who does this every day.
Learn More About Medicare
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- What If One Spouse Qualifies For Medicare and the Other Doesn’t?
FAQ’s
Is Medicare Supplement Plan F still available in 2026?
No, Medigap Plan F is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you’re turning 65 in 2026, you won’t be able to enroll in it.
What’s the difference between Medigap Plan G and Medigap Plan N?
Medigap Plan G covers more but costs more. Plan N typically has lower monthly premiums but includes doctor visit copays, doesn’t cover excess charges, and requires more out-of-pocket costs if your usage increases.
How do I choose between Medicare Supplement Plan G and High Deductible Plan G?
High Deductible Plan G has a much lower monthly premium but requires you to meet a $2,870 deductible first. It’s best for people who want to save monthly but can afford to pay more if a major expense arises.
Can I change my Medicare Supplement plan later?
Yes, but you may have to go through medical underwriting unless you’re still in your Medigap Open Enrollment window. That’s why picking the right plan upfront is so important.
What happens if I don’t pick the right Medicare plan at 65?
You may lose your guaranteed issue rights, which means insurance companies could deny you or charge more based on health conditions. That’s why it’s smart to get guidance the first time around.
Do I need a Medicare agent to enroll?
You can enroll directly, but many people find it overwhelming. A good Medicare agent can walk you through your options, compare rates, and help avoid costly mistakes—all at no extra cost to you. Even if you don’t need help today, having someone you trust in your corner now can make future decisions much easier.
Licensed Insurance Agent Specializing in Medicare Coverage
Serving clients nationwide since 2018 | Licensed in 20+ states
I’ve been helping people turning 65 make sense of Medicare since 2018. I’m licensed and certified in multiple states and offer remote meetings to make the process simple and pressure-free, so you can choose a plan with confidence.