Best Medicare Supplement Plans for 2027

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Medicare Supplement

Best Medicare Supplement Plans for 2027

There are 10 standardized Medicare Supplement plans, but people turning 65 in 2027 will usually compare only a handful of them. Plan G is a widely selected option because it covers the standardized gaps in Original Medicare except the Part B deductible. Plan N trades a potentially lower premium for certain copays and does not cover Part B excess charges. High-Deductible Plan G, Plans K and L, and the basic Plans A and B fill out the rest of the field, with Plan F still available to people who were eligible for Medicare before 2020.

The “best” Medicare Supplement plan for 2027 isn’t the same for everyone. It depends on your health, how often you see a doctor, your comfort with out-of-pocket costs, and what carriers in your ZIP code are charging. This guide walks through the plans worth comparing, what each covers, and what you can expect to pay.

Best Medicare Supplement Plans for 2027

What Changes for Medigap in 2027

Medigap benefits are set by federal law, so Plan G in 2027 covers the same things it covered in 2026. What changes each year are the underlying Medicare deductibles and coinsurance amounts that Medigap pays on your behalf, along with the premiums carriers charge.

The 2026 Medicare Trustees Report estimates a standard Part B premium of $209.50 per month for 2027, up from $202.90 in 2026. It also estimates a $292 Part B deductible and a $1,788 Part A inpatient hospital deductible. These are projections, not final 2027 amounts; CMS generally announces the final figures later in the year.

2027 Medicare Cost2027 Estimate2026 Amount
Part B monthly premium$209.50$202.90
Part B annual deductible$292$283
Part A hospital deductible$1,788$1,736
High-Deductible Plan G/F deductiblePending CMS release$2,950
Plan K out-of-pocket limitPending CMS release$8,000
Plan L out-of-pocket limitPending CMS release$4,000

Two things matter as you read the plan breakdowns below. First, when a plan covers the Part A deductible, the value of that benefit changes when Medicare changes the deductible. Second, Medigap premiums are not standardized. Your quote can depend on your location, age, sex, tobacco use, household-discount eligibility, the insurer, and the insurer’s pricing method. Compare current quotes for the same plan letter in your ZIP code.

What Exactly Is Medigap?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) pays for hospital stays, doctor visits, lab work, and preventive care, but it leaves deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments for you to pay. A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, is a private policy that acts as a secondary payer and picks up some or all of those costs once Medicare approves a service.

Medigap plans are sold by private insurers and regulated under federal and state law. With Original Medicare, you can generally use any nationwide provider that accepts Medicare; Medigap then pays according to the policy’s benefits. Modern Medigap policies do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want drug coverage and do not have other creditable coverage, you can enroll separately in a Medicare Part D plan.

The ten plan letters are A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Because the benefits for each letter are identical from one carrier to the next, the real differences come down to premium, rate increase history, financial strength, and extras like household discounts. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own Medigap frameworks, so the letters below don’t apply in those three states.

Plan G: The Benchmark for 2027

Plan G is the most comprehensive standardized Medigap plan available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. It covers the standardized Medicare cost-sharing benefits in its benefit package except the annual Part B deductible. It does not cover services that Original Medicare does not cover, and prescription drug coverage is separate.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100% of Part A coinsurance, plus an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits run out✔ Covered
Part A Hospital DeductibleCovers the Part A deductible (Trustees’ 2027 estimate: $1,788; final amount pending)✔ Covered
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentCovers the remaining 20% after Medicare pays 80% of approved services✔ Covered
Part B Excess ChargesCovers up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount if a doctor doesn’t accept assignment✔ Covered
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceCovers the daily coinsurance for days 21–100✔ Covered
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovers your share of hospice costs under Part A✔ Covered
Blood (first 3 pints)Covered✔ Covered
Foreign Travel EmergencyCovers 80% of approved emergency costs outside the U.S., up to plan limits✔ Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual Part B deductible (Trustees’ 2027 estimate: $292; final amount pending)✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Rates vary widely by location, applicant characteristics, rating method, and insurer. Compare current Plan G quotes for your ZIP code.

Best for: People who prefer predictable Medicare-covered cost-sharing, expect frequent medical visits, or use doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment. Plan G does not eliminate premiums or costs for services Medicare does not cover.

Many insurers offer Plan G, and prices for identical standardized benefits can vary substantially. Compare multiple insurers, because a higher premium does not add standardized medical benefits to the same plan letter.

The 7 Other Essential Plans to Compare

Plan N

Plan N covers many of the same standardized benefits as Plan G, but it does not cover Part B excess charges. It also permits copays of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. Plan N premiums may be lower than Plan G premiums, but the difference varies by insurer and location.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered
Part A Hospital DeductibleFull deductible✔ Covered
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered, except copays of up to $20 (office) and $50 (ER, no admission)✔ Covered with copays
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceDays 21–100✔ Covered
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered✔ Covered
Blood (first 3 pints)Covered✔ Covered
Foreign Travel Emergency80% of approved costs, up to plan limits✔ Covered
Part B Excess ChargesYou pay any excess charges✘ Not Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual deductible✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Plan N may cost less than Plan G, but current local quotes and expected copays should be compared together.

Best for: People who are comfortable with certain office and emergency-room copays and with paying any Part B excess charges. Compare the potential annual copays with the actual premium difference between Plans N and G.

High-Deductible Plan G

High-Deductible Plan G is standard Plan G with a deductible in front of it. You pay all Medicare-approved out-of-pocket costs until you reach the annual deductible ($2,950 in 2026; the 2027 amount is set by CMS each fall), and then the plan pays exactly like standard Plan G for the rest of the year. The Part B deductible counts toward that total.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Annual Plan DeductibleYou pay all Medicare-approved costs up to the annual deductible ($2,950 in 2026; 2027 amount pending)Pay First
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ After Deductible
Part A Hospital DeductibleFull deductible✔ After Deductible
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentRemaining 20%✔ After Deductible
Part B Excess ChargesUp to 15% above the approved amount✔ After Deductible
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceDays 21–100✔ After Deductible
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered✔ After Deductible
Foreign Travel Emergency80% of approved costs, up to plan limits✔ After Deductible
Part B DeductibleCounts toward the plan deductible, not separately covered✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: High-Deductible Plan G generally has a lower monthly premium than standard Plan G, but rates vary by insurer and location.

Best for: People with sufficient savings who are comfortable paying Medicare cost-sharing up to the annual plan deductible. If you expect substantial care, compare the deductible and likely cost-sharing with the annual premium savings; a surgery does not automatically make one option less expensive than another.

Plan F

Plan F covers all nine standardized Medigap benefit categories, including the Part B deductible. It is unavailable to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, but eligible people may still buy it where offered. Premium trends vary by insurer and state, so compare Plan F’s current and historical rates with Plan G rather than assuming one will increase faster.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered
Part A Hospital DeductibleFull deductible✔ Covered
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentRemaining 20%✔ Covered
Part B DeductibleFull annual deductible✔ Covered
Part B Excess ChargesUp to 15% above the approved amount✔ Covered
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceDays 21–100✔ Covered
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered✔ Covered
Foreign Travel Emergency80% of approved costs, up to plan limits✔ Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Plan F rates vary by location, applicant characteristics, rating method, and insurer. A high-deductible version is available where offered.

Best for: Eligible people who want the broadest standardized benefit package. If you have Plan F, compare its annual premium with Plan G plus the Part B deductible; the better value depends on the actual quotes.

Plan A

Plan A is the most basic standardized plan. It covers the core hospital and medical coinsurance but leaves the Part A deductible, skilled nursing, excess charges, and foreign travel to you. In some states, it may be the only letter insurers are required to offer beneficiaries under 65 who qualify through disability.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentRemaining 20%✔ Covered
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered✔ Covered
Blood (first 3 pints)Covered✔ Covered
Part A Hospital DeductibleYou pay the full deductible✘ Not Covered
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceYou pay days 21–100✘ Not Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual deductible✘ Not Covered
Part B Excess ChargesYou pay any excess charges✘ Not Covered
Foreign Travel EmergencyNot covered✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Plan A is not necessarily the least expensive option. Compare current Plan A quotes with other available plan letters before choosing it as a budget option.

Best for: Beneficiaries who want minimal supplemental coverage, or under-65 enrollees in states where it’s the only letter available.

Plan B

Plan B is Plan A plus coverage of the Part A inpatient hospital deductible. The 2026 Trustees Report estimates that deductible at $1,788 for 2027, although the final amount has not yet been announced. Plan B availability varies by insurer and state.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered
Part A Hospital DeductibleFull deductible✔ Covered
Part B Coinsurance/CopaymentRemaining 20%✔ Covered
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/CopaymentCovered✔ Covered
Blood (first 3 pints)Covered✔ Covered
Skilled Nursing Facility CoinsuranceYou pay days 21–100✘ Not Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual deductible✘ Not Covered
Part B Excess ChargesYou pay any excess charges✘ Not Covered
Foreign Travel EmergencyNot covered✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Compare actual Plan B quotes with Plans A, N, and G. The relative price and available insurers vary by market.

Best for: Enrollees who want basic coverage but don’t want to be exposed to the Part A deductible.

Plan K

Plan K uses cost-sharing and may offer a lower premium. It pays 50% of several standardized benefits and 100% of Part A hospital coinsurance. After you meet both the annual out-of-pocket limit ($8,000 in 2026; the 2027 amount is pending) and the annual Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year. Premiums and services not covered by the policy are outside that limit.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered (100%)
Part A Hospital Deductible50% of the deductible✔ Covered (50%)
Part B Coinsurance/Copayment50% after Medicare pays its share✔ Covered (50%)
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/Copayment50% of your share✔ Covered (50%)
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance50% for days 21–100✔ Covered (50%)
Blood (first 3 pints)50%✔ Covered (50%)
Annual Out-of-Pocket LimitAfter the plan limit and Part B deductible are met, the plan pays 100% of covered services ($8,000 limit in 2026; 2027 pending)✔ Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual deductible✘ Not Covered
Part B Excess ChargesYou pay any excess charges✘ Not Covered
Foreign Travel EmergencyNot covered✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Plan K may have a lower premium than more comprehensive plans, but rates vary by insurer and location.

Best for: People comfortable with 50% cost-sharing who want an annual limit on certain Medicare-covered cost-sharing. The limit is not a cap on premiums or all health-care spending.

Plan L

Plan L pays 75% of several standardized benefits and 100% of Part A hospital coinsurance. After you meet both its annual out-of-pocket limit ($4,000 in 2026; the 2027 amount is pending) and the annual Part B deductible, it pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year. Premiums and services not covered by the policy are outside that limit.

BenefitCoverage DetailsCovered?
Part A Hospital Coinsurance100%, plus 365 additional days✔ Covered (100%)
Part A Hospital Deductible75% of the deductible✔ Covered (75%)
Part B Coinsurance/Copayment75% after Medicare pays its share✔ Covered (75%)
Part A Hospice Coinsurance/Copayment75% of your share✔ Covered (75%)
Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance75% for days 21–100✔ Covered (75%)
Blood (first 3 pints)75%✔ Covered (75%)
Annual Out-of-Pocket LimitAfter the plan limit and Part B deductible are met, the plan pays 100% of covered services ($4,000 limit in 2026; 2027 pending)✔ Covered
Part B DeductibleYou pay the annual deductible✘ Not Covered
Part B Excess ChargesYou pay any excess charges✘ Not Covered
Foreign Travel EmergencyNot covered✘ Not Covered
Prescription DrugsNot included; Part D is available separately✘ Not Covered

Premium note: Plan L may have a lower premium than more comprehensive plans, but rates vary by insurer and location.

Best for: Generally healthy beneficiaries who want a meaningful safety net without Plan G’s premium and don’t travel internationally.

Coverage at a Glance

100% = fully covered | — = not covered | † Plan N pays 100% of Part B coinsurance except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits not resulting in admission.

PlanA Hosp.B Coins.A Ded.SNFBloodB Ded.ExcessTravelPremium Pattern
Plan A100%100%——100%———Varies; not always the lowest
Plan B100%100%100%—100%———Varies; availability may be limited
Plan F*100%100%100%100%100%100%100%80%Varies; compare with Plan G
Plan G100%100%100%100%100%—100%80%Varies widely by insurer
HD Plan G100%100%100%100%100%—100%80%Generally lower than standard G
Plan K100%50%50%50%50%———May be lower; includes cost-sharing
Plan L100%75%75%75%75%———May be lower; includes cost-sharing
Plan N100%100%†100%100%100%——80%Often lower than Plan G

*Plan F is available only to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Premiums are not standardized and no single national range applies to every applicant. Your quote can depend on location, age, sex, tobacco use, household-discount eligibility, insurer, and rating method. Use current quotes for your ZIP code.

How to Choose the Best Medicare Supplement Plan for 2027

Step #1: Match the Plan Letter to Your Risk Tolerance

If you…Plan
Want predictable Medicare-covered cost-sharingG
Want near-G coverage at a lower premium, few specialist visitsN
Were Medicare-eligible before 2020 and want everything coveredF
Can fund the deductible and want a generally lower premiumHigh-Deductible G
Want 75% cost-sharing with a smaller plan limitL
Want 50% cost-sharing with a larger plan limitK
Want basic coverage plus the Part A deductibleB
Need basic coverage onlyA

Step #2: Factor In Your Health and Your Doctors

  1. Chronic conditions or frequent specialist visits: Compare Plans G and N, including Plan N’s permitted copays and lack of excess-charge coverage.
  2. Surgery or heavy utilization expected: Compare High-Deductible Plan G’s annual deductible with its premium savings and your expected Medicare cost-sharing.
  3. Doctors who don’t accept Medicare assignment: only Plans F and G cover excess charges.
  4. International travel: Plans A, B, K, and L don’t cover foreign emergencies.

Step #3: Collect Quotes for Your ZIP Code

Premiums for the same plan letter can vary widely between insurers in the same location. Get several quotes. If you work with an agent, ask which insurers the agent represents, and compare those results with Medicare and your state insurance department’s consumer resources.

Step #4: Compare Insurers, Not Just Prices

FactorWhat to Look For
Pricing methodCommunity- and issue-age rates do not rise solely because you age, but can still increase; attained-age rates generally rise as you age
Rate increase historyReview approved increases in your state; past changes do not guarantee future rates
Financial strengthReview ratings from independent rating organizations
Complaint ratioReview state insurance department and NAIC complaint information
Household discountsAvailability and eligibility vary by insurer and state
Added perksConfirm whether non-insurance extras are available; they are not standardized Medigap benefits and may change
Local serviceAsk what service is provided and which insurers the agent represents

The lowest initial rate is not always the lowest long-term cost. Insurers may increase rates with regulatory approval, and switching later may require medical underwriting. Review the insurer’s rating method, approved rate history, financial strength, and complaint information.

Step #5: Enroll at the Right Time

Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins the first month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. An insurer may ask health questions, but it cannot use medical underwriting to deny the policy or charge a health-based premium during this period. People who had Medicare before 65 receive this federal open-enrollment period when they turn 65 and have Part B.

Quick Decision Flowchart

QuestionAnswer → Plan
Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020?Yes → Plan F (or compare against Plan G if your rate has climbed) | No → continue
Want more predictable Medicare-covered cost-sharing?Yes → Plan G | No → continue
Comfortable with small copays at the doctor’s office?Yes → Plan N | No → continue
Comfortable covering a deductible of roughly $3,000 in a bad year?Yes → High-Deductible Plan G | No → continue
Want a plan limit on certain Medicare-covered cost-sharing?75% coverage, smaller cap → Plan L | 50% coverage, larger cap → Plan K | Basic plus Part A deductible → Plan B | Basic only → Plan A

Your 2027 Pre-Enrollment Checklist

  • Chosen plan letter fits your health needs and your comfort with out-of-pocket costs
  • Confirmed your doctors accept Medicare assignment, or chosen a plan that covers excess charges
  • Confirmed foreign travel coverage if you travel outside the U.S.
  • Collected at least three quotes for your ZIP code
  • Reviewed each carrier’s rating method, rate increase history, and financial strength
  • Asked about household or multi-policy discounts
  • Enrolling during your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue window
  • Selected a standalone Part D plan if you want drug coverage and do not have other creditable coverage

Enrollment and Eligibility

Your enrollment window determines whether an insurer may use medical underwriting to charge more or deny an application. An insurer may still ask health questions during a protected period, but it cannot use the answers in ways prohibited by open-enrollment or guaranteed-issue rules.

WindowWhenWhat It Means
Medigap Open Enrollment PeriodSix months beginning the first month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part BNo medical underwriting for denial or health-based pricing. Insurers may ask questions. People with Medicare before 65 receive this period at 65.
Guaranteed Issue RightsCertain losses of employer or union coverage, qualifying Medicare Advantage trial rights, plan termination, or moving out of a plan’s service areaInsurers must sell an eligible policy without medical underwriting. Available plan letters depend on the triggering event and eligibility date.
Birthday Rule (select states)A window around your birthday each yearState-specific switching protection; timing, eligible plans, and underwriting restrictions vary by state.
Outside All WindowsAny other timeMedical underwriting may apply. Insurers may deny coverage, charge more, or impose a pre-existing-condition waiting period, subject to federal and state rules.

Key Eligibility Rules

  • Plans C and F are closed to anyone who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020.
  • Under-65 enrollees (including people who qualify through disability, ESRD, or ALS): federal law generally does not require insurers to sell Medigap before age 65, although state rules may provide options. Availability and premiums vary. A federal six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins at 65 for people enrolled in Part B.
  • During Medigap Open Enrollment, an insurer may impose a pre-existing-condition waiting period of up to six months in some circumstances. Prior continuous creditable coverage can reduce or eliminate that waiting period. A policy bought under a federal guaranteed-issue right cannot impose a pre-existing-condition waiting period.
  • Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own Medigap structures.
  • Medigap covers one person per policy. Spouses buy separate policies.
  • You may legally keep an existing Medigap policy after joining Medicare Advantage, but Medigap generally cannot pay Medicare Advantage deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or premiums. Keeping both usually provides little value, and you may not be able to buy Medigap again later except under applicable enrollment or trial rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best Medicare Supplement plan for 2027?

For people turning 65 in 2027, Plan G offers the most comprehensive standardized coverage available. Plan N may suit people willing to accept certain copays and Part B excess-charge exposure for a potentially lower premium. High-Deductible Plan G may suit people who can absorb its annual deductible in exchange for a generally lower premium. There is no single best plan; compare benefits, current quotes, and enrollment protections.

Is Plan G or Plan N better for seniors turning 65 in 2027?

Plan G may fit people who expect frequent visits, use doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment, or prefer not to have Plan N’s permitted visit copays. Plan N may fit people comfortable with those copays and excess-charge exposure in exchange for a potentially lower premium. Compare actual annual premiums and expected cost-sharing.

Will Medicare Supplement premiums go up in 2027?

Insurers may adjust rates, subject to applicable state review or approval, and Medicare’s deductibles and coinsurance amounts can change annually. Increases vary by insurer, plan letter, location, and rating method. A carrier’s past rate history is useful context but does not guarantee future increases.

What is the cheapest Medicare Supplement plan for 2027?

High-Deductible Plan G and the cost-sharing Plans K and L are often among the lower-premium options, but no plan letter is guaranteed to be cheapest in every market. Compare premiums with the deductible or cost-sharing you might pay during the year.

Can I switch Medicare Supplement plans in 2027?

Yes, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue right, an insurer may use medical underwriting and may deny the application or charge more. Some states provide additional switching rights, including birthday rules, but the permitted plans and timing vary by state.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover prescription drugs?

No. Modern Medigap policies do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want drug coverage and do not have other creditable coverage, you can enroll separately in Medicare Part D. Delaying Part D without creditable drug coverage may result in a late-enrollment penalty.

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