What Does a Medicare Supplement Plan Cover in 2025?

Understanding Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans

Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly referred to as Medigap, is designed to help fill the gaps left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). While Medicare covers many healthcare expenses, it does not pay for everything, leaving beneficiaries to pay out-of-pocket costs such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. Medigap plans, sold by private insurers, help reduce these unexpected medical expenses and offer predictability as you plan your healthcare budget. Medigap plans are standardized in most states and are labeled with a letter (Plans A-N), which makes comparing options simpler. All Medigap policies are also guaranteed renewable-as long as you pay your premium, your coverage cannot be canceled for health reasons.

For an overview of available options, see our complete guide on Medicare Supplement Plans.

What Costs Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cover?

Medigap plans are specifically designed to address the out-of-pocket expenses that Original Medicare beneficiaries often encounter. The costs covered will depend on the Medigap plan letter you choose, but generally, these plans may include:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (for up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are used up)
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments for medical services and supplies
• First 3 pints of blood per year for transfusions
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (included in Plans C, D, F, G, M, N)
• Medicare Part A deductible (covered by most plans except Plans A and B)
• Medicare Part B deductible (covered only by Plans C and F, and only for those eligible before January 1, 2020)
• Medicare Part B excess charges (covered by Plans F and G)
• Foreign travel emergency care (available with Plans C, D, F, G, M, N up to plan limits)

Deductibles, Coinsurance, and Copayments Explained

Deductible: The amount you pay for healthcare services before your insurance starts to pay. For 2025, the Medicare Part B deductible is $257.

Coinsurance: Your share of the costs of a covered service (usually a percentage). For example, Medicare typically pays 80% and you pay 20%

Copayment: A fixed amount you pay for a covered health care service, usually at the time of service.

Out-of-Pocket Limits

Most Medigap plans do not have an annual out-of-pocket limit, but Plans K and L are exceptions. In 2025, the out-of-pocket limit for Plan K is $7,220 and for Plan L is $3,610. Once you reach these limits (plus the Part B deductible), the plan pays 100% of covered Medigap benefits for the remainder of the calendar year. For more on how these costs work, read What Does TrOOP Mean in Medicare?.

What Is Not Covered by Medigap?

While Medigap plans offer valuable coverage, there are notable exclusions. Medigap does not cover:

• Prescription drugs: Medigap no longer covers outpatient prescription drugs. To get drug coverage, you’ll need a separate Medicare Part D plan.
• Long-term care: Like nursing home or custodial care.
• Routine dental, vision, hearing care, and hearing aids
• Eyeglasses
• Private-duty nursing or personal care
• Costs for care not approved by Medicare
• Medicare Advantage Plan costs: You cannot use Medigap to pay for expenses under a Medicare Advantage Plan.

Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

It’s important to highlight the key differences between Medigap and Medicare Advantage. Medigap works only with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage plans are an alternative way to get your Part A and B coverage, often bundled with extra benefits (but with provider networks and differing plan rules). For more insight, review Medicare Supplement Plans.

Comparing Medigap Plan Types (A-N)

All Medigap plans are standardized, meaning every plan with the same letter offers the same core benefits, regardless of the insurer. However, coverage varies depending on which plan you select. Use the chart below for a clear comparison:

Plan	Covers Part A Deductible	Covers Part B Deductible	Covers Excess Charges	Covers SNF Coinsurance	Foreign Travel Emergency	Out-of-Pocket Limit
A	No	No	No	No	No	None
B	Yes	No	No	No	No	None
C	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	None
D	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	None
F	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	None
G	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	None
K	50%	No	No	50%	No	$7,220
L	75%	No	No	75%	No	$3,610
M	50%	No	No	Yes	Yes	None
N	Yes	No	No	Yes	Yes	None

Notable Plan Features and Differences

• Plan F is the most comprehensive plan, covering nearly all gaps in Original Medicare. However, it’s only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
• Plan G is the most popular option for new enrollees as it mimics Plan F with the exception of the Part B deductible.
• Plan N offers lower premiums but requires up to a $20 copayment for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits.
• Plans K and L offer partial coverage with lower premiums and set out-of-pocket limits for added financial predictability.

For a more in-depth comparison and guidance, check our Medigap plan comparison resource.

How to Choose the Right Medicare Supplement Plan

• Assess your health needs: Consider how often you visit providers, your history of hospital stays, and whether you anticipate needing care while traveling abroad.
• Compare plan benefits and costs: Weigh monthly premiums and what you get in return in terms of deductible coverage, coinsurance, and copayment protections.
• Consider your eligibility: Some plans, like C and F, aren’t available to everyone. If you’re new to Medicare after January 1, 2020, you’ll need to look at other options.
• Understand your enrollment window: The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your six-month open enrollment period, which begins the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B. During this period, you cannot be denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions. For information on changing your plan, visit When Can I Change My Medicare Supplement Plan?
• Review future needs: Medigap does not cover prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing, or long-term care, so you may want to explore additional coverage options (such as Part D or dental plans).
• Seek professional advice: Utilize Medicare’s plan finder or consult a licensed insurance agent for neutral, expert guidance. Start with our step-by-step resource on How to Get Medicare.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage? No. You cannot carry both Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. Medigap works only with Original Medicare.
• Does Medigap cover prescription drugs? No. If you need drug coverage, you must purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan.
• Are Medigap plans standardized? Yes. All Medigap plans by the same letter provide the same benefits, regardless of insurer or location, except in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin where plans are standardized differently.
• Can I be denied coverage? During your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you cannot be denied a policy due to health history or pre-existing conditions. After this window, insurers may use medical underwriting and could refuse coverage or charge higher premiums.
• How much do Medigap plans cost? In 2025, monthly premiums can range from $32 (for high-deductible options) to $550, with the majority of people paying between $90 and $300 for mid-level plans. Pricing varies by plan type, location, deliverables, and provider.
• Does Medigap cover out-of-pocket maximums? Only Plans K and L come with an annual out-of-pocket limit. All other plans do not, making careful plan selection critical for those with chronic or high-cost health needs. Learn about true out-of-pocket costs on our TrOOP (True Out-of-Pocket Costs) guide.

Remember, Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare, but the right plan for you depends on your unique health profile, eligibility, and budget. For personalized assistance and to ensure you enroll at the optimal window, review our comprehensive Medicare Supplement Plans guide.