Medigap Plans A–N Explained: What Each Plan Covers & How They Compare

Medicare is a great foundation—but it wasn’t designed to cover everything. Even with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you may still face out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. That’s where Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) can help: it’s private insurance that “fills in” certain gaps so your healthcare costs are more predictable. 

This guide breaks down Medigap Plans A through N (the standardized plan letters available in most states) in plain English—so you can quickly understand what each plan covers, how they differ, and what to consider when comparing options. (Note: Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Medigap differently.) 

Quick Medigap Basics: What It Is (and What It Isn’t)
Medigap helps with “gaps” in Original Medicare
Depending on the plan letter, Medigap may help pay for things like:

• Part A hospital coinsurance and extra hospital days
• Part B coinsurance (typically the 20% you’d otherwise pay)
• Part A deductible
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part B deductible (only on certain plans for people eligible before 2020)
• Part B excess charges (if a provider charges above the Medicare-approved amount)
• Foreign travel emergency care (limited, plan-dependent)

What Medigap generally doesn’t cover
Medigap typically doesn’t include:

• Prescription drugs (you’d want a separate Part D plan)
• Dental, vision, hearing aids
• Long-term care (like nursing home custodial care)

The “Standardized” Part: Why Plan Letters Matter
In most states, Medigap plans are standardized—meaning:

• Plan G from one insurer must provide the same core benefits as Plan G from another insurer.
  
  
• What can differ is price, customer service, underwriting rules (outside protected enrollment windows), and added perks (if any are allowed in your state).

Timing Matters: When You Can Enroll (and Why It’s Important)
Many people get the most flexibility during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period—a one-time 6-month window that starts when you’re 65+ and enrolled in Part B. During that window, you generally can’t be denied or charged more due to health conditions.There are also certain situations that create guaranteed issue rights (special protections to buy certain Medigap plans). 


How to Compare Medigap Plans (A–N) the Smart Way
When you’re comparing plan letters, focus on these questions:

1. Do you want the plan to cover the Part A deductible?
2. Do you want protection from Part B excess charges?
3. Are you comfortable with small copays for office visits/ER to lower the premium?
4. Do you travel outside the U.S. and want emergency coverage?
5. Are you newly eligible for Medicare? (Plans that cover the Part B deductible aren’t available to people newly eligible after 1/1/2020.)

What Each Medigap Plan Covers: A Practical Breakdown
Below is a high-level description of what’s typically included. For the official standardized comparison, Medicare provides a plan-benefit chart you can use as a reference. 

Plan A (the “basic” core benefits)

• Plan A is the most foundational option and includes the core benefits required across Medigap policies, including:
• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (including extra days after Medicare limits)
• Part B coinsurance/copayment
• First 3 pints of blood
• Part A hospice coinsurance/copayment

Best for: People who want the lowest-cost standardized Medigap option and are comfortable with more out-of-pocket exposure.

Plan B (Plan A + Part A deductible)
Plan B includes everything in Plan A plus:

• Part A deductible coverage

Best for: People who want help with hospital deductible costs but don’t need the extra protections found in higher plans.

Plan C (robust coverage, but not available to newly eligible beneficiaries)
Plan C is one of the more comprehensive plans, generally covering:

• Plan B benefits plus
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A deductible
• Part B deductible (not available to people newly eligible after 1/1/2020)
• Foreign travel emergency (within plan limits)

Best for: People eligible to buy it who want broad coverage and fewer surprise costs.

Plan D (similar to C, but doesn’t pay the Part B deductible)
Plan D typically includes:

• Many of the same “expanded” benefits as C
• Does not cover the Part B deductible

Best for: People who want strong coverage but don’t need/qualify for Part B deductible coverage.

Plan F (highest coverage, but limited availability for newly eligible)
Plan F is known for very comprehensive coverage (often described as “most complete”), and it generally:

• Covers most Medicare-approved cost-sharing, including Part B excess charges
• Includes a high-deductible Plan F option in many states
• Not available to people newly eligible for Medicare after 1/1/2020

Best for: People who were eligible before 2020 and want maximum predictability (often at a higher premium).

Plan G (popular “near-Plan-F” coverage)
Plan G is widely chosen because it’s comprehensive and generally:

• Covers nearly everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible
• Often includes a high-deductible Plan G option

In 2025, the Part B deductible is $257 (this is what you’d typically pay out-of-pocket with Plan G before Plan G pays Part B cost-sharing). 

Best for: People who want strong coverage and are fine paying the Part B deductible once per year.

Plan K (lower premium, higher cost-sharing with an out-of-pocket limit)
Plan K is designed to reduce premium costs by sharing more of the expense with you:

• Generally covers a percentage of many benefits rather than 100%
• Includes an annual out-of-pocket limit feature (important for budgeting)

Best for: People who want Medigap protection and an out-of-pocket cap, but prefer a lower premium.

Plan L (similar to K, with higher coverage levels)
Plan L is similar in concept to Plan K but typically:

• Pays a higher percentage of covered benefits than K
• Also includes an annual out-of-pocket limit

Best for: People who like the “lower premium + out-of-pocket limit” structure but want more coverage than Plan K.

Plan M (balanced premium and coverage)
Plan M often appeals to people who want solid coverage but are okay paying some costs:

• Covers many key gaps
• Usually requires you to pay a portion of the Part A deductible

Best for: People looking for a middle-ground option between very comprehensive plans and basic plans.

Plan N (lower premium, with copays and no excess-charge coverage)
Plan N is another popular “value” choice. In general:

• Covers many major gaps
• You may pay copays for some office visits and some emergency room visits
• Typically doesn’t cover Part B excess charges

Best for: People who want strong coverage with a lower premium and don’t mind occasional copays.


Common “Gotchas” People Miss When Comparing Plans
1) Prescription drugs are separate
If you want prescription coverage, you’ll usually pair Medigap with Medicare Part D, since Medigap plans sold after 2005 don’t include drug coverage. 

2) Excess charges can matter (especially for certain providers)
If you want protection from Part B excess charges, compare plan benefits carefully—this is one of the key differences among plans. 3) Travel coverage is limited, but helpful
Some plans offer foreign travel emergency coverage within plan limits, which can be a nice extra for travelers.


Practical Shortcuts: Picking a Plan Type Based on Your Priorities

• Most predictable costs: Plan F (if eligible), Plan G
• Strong value with lower premium: Plan N
• Lower premium + out-of-pocket limit structure: Plan K or L
• Basic gap help: Plan A or B

For many people in Strongsville, OH and across Ohio, the “best” plan often comes down to how frequently you visit doctors, whether you want to avoid surprise bills, and what premium fits comfortably in your monthly budget.


Final Thoughts: Choosing the Right Medigap Plan in Ohio
Medigap isn’t one-size-fits-all—but the good news is the plan letters make comparisons much easier. Start by deciding how much predictability you want, then compare plan letters (A–N) based on the specific benefits that matter most to you. From there, shop insurers for price and reputation, since the benefits for a given plan letter are standardized in most states. 

At Vago Insurance Agency LLC, we’re committed to offering reliable and affordable insurance solutions tailored to your lifestyle. We take pride in delivering personalized service that goes beyond expectations. To explore your options, give us a call at (440) 655-8344 or CLICK HERE to get a free, no-obligation quote.

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We recommend speaking with a licensed insurance agent who can evaluate your individual situation and provide guidance that fits your specific needs.