How Much Does Medicare Supplemental Insurance Cost?

If you are shopping for Medicare, one of the biggest questions is also one of the hardest to answer with one number:

How much does Medicare Supplemental Insurance cost?

A lot of people want a quick price.

They want someone to say:
“It costs $___ per month.”

But that is not how Medigap works.

Medicare says Medicare Supplemental Insurance, also called Medigap, has a premium that varies based on which Medigap policy you buy, where you live, and other factors. Medicare also says the amount can change each year. In other words, there is no single national Medigap price. (Medicare)

That means the real answer is not one number. It is a pricing system.

Medicare says the cost of a Medigap policy can depend on things like:

• the plan letter you buy,
• the insurance company you buy from,
• where you live,
• whether the company offers discounts,
• whether it uses medical underwriting in your situation,
• and how the company prices the policy, such as community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated. (Medicare)

So the short answer is this:

Medicare Supplemental Insurance usually costs a monthly premium that varies by plan, company, location, age-rating method, and other factors, and you still have to pay your Medicare Part B premium on top of it. Medicare says you must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy. Medicare also says the standard Part B premium in 2026 is $202.90 per month, and the Part B deductible is $283. (Medicare)

That last point surprises many people.

They ask, “How much does Medigap cost?”
But the better question is often, “How much does my total Medicare setup cost if I choose Medigap?”

Because with Original Medicare plus Medigap, you may be paying:

• your Part B premium,
• your Medigap premium,
• and often a separate Part D premium if you want prescription drug coverage. Medicare says if you choose Original Medicare, you can also add Part D, and if you choose Medigap, you still keep paying Part B. (Medicare)

This guide explains all of that in plain English.

It will show you:

• What Medigap is,
• Why is there no one Medigap price?
• What factors change the monthly premium?
• how Medigap pricing methods work,
• what other Medicare costs you still pay,
• how Medigap compares with Medicare Advantage on cost structure,
• and how to think about the real cost of Medigap instead of just the sticker price.

Everything below is based on official Medicare sources. (Medicare)

The short answer in plain English

If you want the fastest useful answer, here it is:

Medicare Supplemental Insurance does not have one fixed price. Medicare says Medigap costs in 2026 vary based on which policy you buy, where you live, and other factors, and the amount can change each year. Medicare also says you must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy. (Medicare)

So if someone asks, “How much does Medigap cost?” the most honest answer is:

It depends.

It depends on:

• which Medigap plan letter you choose,
• which insurance company sells it,
• how that company prices the policy,
• where you live,
• whether you qualify for discounts,
• and whether you are buying during a protected enrollment period or outside it. Medicare’s Medigap cost page and Medigap guide both explain those factors. (Medicare)

And Medigap is not the whole picture of costs.

Medicare says you must still pay:

• your Part B premium,
• and often your Part D premium if you join a separate drug plan with Original Medicare. Medicare’s 2026 handbook says if you choose Original Medicare, you pay the monthly Part B premium and, if you join a Medicare drug plan, you pay a separate Part D premium. (Medicare)

So the best short answer is:

Medigap usually costs a monthly premium that varies widely, and your total Medicare cost will usually be higher than the Medigap premium alone because you still pay Part B and often Part D, too. (Medicare)

First, what Medicare Supplemental Insurance is

Before talking about cost, it helps to be very clear about what you are buying.

Medicare says Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap, is extra insurance you buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Medicare also says you generally must have Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap policy. (Medicare)

That means Medigap is not:

• a full replacement for Medicare,
• a stand-alone health plan,
• or a bundled all-in-one product like Medicare Advantage.

It is a supplement to Original Medicare. It helps lower the bills that Original Medicare can leave behind. Medicare’s 2026 handbook says you can choose to buy Medigap to help pay your out-of-pocket costs that Medicare does not cover, such as your 20% coinsurance. (Medicare)

This matters because the cost of Medigap only makes sense when you compare it to what it is helping you avoid.

You are not paying a Medigap premium for “another full health plan.”

You are paying it to lower your exposure to:

• deductibles,
• coinsurance,
• copayments,
• and certain other Medicare-approved cost-sharing amounts. (Medicare)

So when you ask how much Medigap costs, you should also ask:

How much risk is this premium helping me avoid?

That question matters just as much as the premium itself.

Why is there no single Medigap price

This is the most important pricing rule of all.

Medicare says the cost of your Medigap policy can vary widely. On the Medigap costs page, Medicare says:

• The benefits in each lettered plan are the same; no matter which insurance company sells it,
• the price is the only difference between policies with the same plan letter sold by different companies,
• and there can be big differences in the premiums different insurance companies charge for the same coverage. (Medicare)

That means there is no single answer like:
“Plan G costs $X.”

A Plan G from one company may cost far more or less than a Plan G from another company in the same area, even though the core benefits are the same. Medicare specifically says to compare Medigap plans with the same letter from different companies because prices can vary a lot. (Medicare)

This is one of the biggest surprises in the Medigap world.

People often assume:
“If the benefits are standardized, the prices must be almost the same.”

But Medicare says that is not true.

The benefits are standardized.
The prices are not. (Medicare)

So the real answer to “How much does Medicare Supplemental Insurance cost?” begins with:

There is no universal Medigap price, even for the same plan letter.

The first cost factor: which Medigap plan letter you buy

Medicare says there are 10 different types of Medigap plans in most states, named by letters A–D, F, G, and K–N. The same letter has the same basic benefits no matter which company sells it, but different letters cover different things. (Medicare)

This means the plan letter is one of the first big cost drivers.

A richer plan letter that covers more of your cost-sharing usually has a different premium profile than a leaner plan letter that leaves more of the bill with you. Medicare’s official comparison chart shows that some plans cover benefits fully, some partly, and some not at all. For example, Plans K and L only partially cover certain benefits, while other plans cover more generously. (Medicare)

In plain English:

• If a plan leaves you with more risk, it may have a lower premium,
• If a plan reduces your risk, it may have a higher premium.

That does not mean the higher-premium plan is automatically “better.” It means you are balancing monthly cost against future out-of-pocket risk. Medicare’s handbook effectively encourages this way of thinking by contrasting Original Medicare cost-sharing with supplemental coverage that lowers those costs. (Medicare)

So the first answer to “How much does Medigap cost?” is:

It depends partly on the letter plan you choose.

The second cost factor: where you live

Medicare says Medigap costs vary by where you live. Medicare’s costs page says Medigap premiums vary based on which policy you buy, where you live, and other factors. (Medicare)

This means two people buying the same letter plan from the same company may still see different prices if they live in different places.

That is one reason national averages can be misleading.

A person in one ZIP code may see very different Medigap options than a person in another ZIP code. Medicare’s Medigap cost page even tells you to compare the estimated costs of Medigap plans in your area and contact the insurance company for a more accurate price. (Medicare)

So when people ask:
“How much does Medigap cost in general?”

The honest answer is:
Your location is one of the main reasons there is no single national premium.

The third cost factor: the insurance company you choose

Medicare says the same lettered Medigap plan offers the same basic benefits no matter which company sells it, but the price can still vary widely. It specifically says there can be big differences in the premiums different insurance companies charge for the same coverage. (Medicare)

This is important because many shoppers stop too early.

They pick a plan letter and assume they are done.

But Medicare’s guidance says that after you pick a letter, you should still compare companies because price is the only difference between same-letter plans, and that difference can be large. (Medicare)

So if you are asking how much Medicare Supplemental Insurance costs, another accurate answer is:

It depends on which insurer sells the policy.

That is why smart shopping means:

1. Choose the plan letter,
2. Then compare several companies selling the same letter. (Medicare)

The fourth cost factor: the pricing method the company uses

This is one of the most important Medigap pricing topics, and many people never hear about it clearly enough.

In the official Choosing a Medigap Policy guide, Medicare says there are 3 ways insurance companies can price Medigap policies:

1. Community-rated (also called no-age-rated)
2. Issue-age-rated (also called entry-age-rated)
3. Attained-age-rated (Medicare)

These three methods can make a huge difference in what you pay now and what you may pay later.

Community-rated

Medicare says that with community-rated pricing, the same premium is charged to everyone, regardless of age or gender. Your premium is not based on your age. Medicare also says premiums may still go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age. (Medicare)

In simple terms:

• A 65-year-old and a 72-year-old buying the same community-rated policy may pay the same base premium,
• But the price can still rise over time for reasons other than age. (Medicare)

Issue-age-rated

Medicare says that with age-rated pricing, the premium is based on your age when you buy the Medigap policy. Premiums are lower for people who buy at a younger age and won’t change as you get older, though they may still go up due to inflation and other factors. (Medicare)

In simple terms:

• Buying younger may lock in a lower age-based starting point,
• But the price can still rise for reasons unrelated to age later. (Medicare)

Attained-age-rated

Medicare says that with attained-age-rated pricing, your premium is based on your current age, so it goes up as you get older. Medicare also says these premiums may be lowest at first, but can eventually become the most expensive. (Medicare)

In simple terms:

• Attained-age policies may look cheaper at first,
• but the price may rise every year simply because you are older, on top of any inflation or other changes. (Medicare)

This is one of the most important keys to understanding Medigap costs.

Two policies may look similar now.
But their long-term cost path may differ significantly depending on the pricing method. (Medicare)

So when people ask, “How much does Medicare Supplemental Insurance cost?” the best answer isn’t just about today’s premium. It is also about how that premium is likely to change over time.

Why the pricing method matters so much

Medicare’s own examples in the Medigap guide show why the pricing method matters.

A community-rated plan may start higher than an attained-age plan, but it will not rise because you age. An issue-age plan rewards people who buy younger. An attained-age plan may look cheapest early on, but Medicare says it can eventually become the most expensive because the premiums rise as you get older. (Medicare)

That means the cheapest Medigap premium today may not be the cheapest Medigap value over the next 5, 10, or 15 years.

This is where many shoppers make mistakes.

They ask:
“What is the lowest premium right now?”

But the better question is:
How is this policy priced, and what is it likely to cost later? (Medicare)

This is especially important for a topic like Medicare, where coverage decisions can last many years.

The fifth cost factor: discounts

Medicare says the cost of your Medigap policy may depend on whether the insurance company offers discounts.

On the official Medigap costs page, Medicare lists examples such as discounts for:

• women,
• non-smokers,
• married people,
• paying yearly,
• paying by electronic funds transfer,
• or buying multiple policies. (Medicare)

This means the “real” premium may be lower than the base amount you first hear about, depending on the company and your situation.

So when you ask how much Medigap costs, the answer can also depend on:

What discounts do you qualify for? (Medicare)

This is another reason why calling a company for an accurate quote matters. Medicare says online estimated costs are useful, but you should contact the insurer for a more accurate price. (Medicare)

The sixth cost factor: when you apply

Timing can affect price, too.

Medicare says the cost of your Medigap policy may depend on whether the insurance company uses medical underwriting or charges a different premium when you do not have a guaranteed issue right or are not in your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. (Medicare)

That is a big deal.

It means the same person may face a different price — or even difficulty buying the plan at all — depending on when they apply.

Medicare says under federal law, you get a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, and during that time, companies generally cannot use health problems to deny you or change the price because of your health. (Medicare)

Outside that protected window, the insurer may have more room to evaluate your application depending on your rights and your state rules. That can affect the policy’s cost or whether you can buy it. (Medicare)

So another honest answer to “How much does Medigap cost?” is:

It can depend on whether you are buying during your protected enrollment period or later.

What do you still pay besides the Medigap premium

This is one of the most important practical sections in the article.

When people ask how much Medigap costs, they often mean:
“How much extra per month is this policy?”

But the full cost picture is larger.

Medicare says you must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy. In 2026, Medicare says the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month. (Medicare)

If you keep Original Medicare and also want prescription drug coverage, Medicare says you may join a separate Part D plan, and the Part D premium varies by plan. (Medicare)

So if you choose Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D, your monthly Medicare-related bills may include:

• Part B premium
• Medigap premium
• Part D premium (Medicare)

This is a huge reason why Medigap can feel expensive.

The Medigap premium is not the only number on the table.

So the better question is not just:
“What is the Medigap premium?”

It is:
What is my total monthly Medicare setup cost if I choose Medigap?

What Medigap is trying to save you from

To judge whether a premium is “high,” you have to look at what it may be protecting you from.

Medicare’s 2026 handbook says that with Original Medicare:

• for Part B-covered services, you usually pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount after you meet your deductible,
• And there is no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket unless you have supplemental coverage like Medigap, Medicaid, or employer/retiree/union coverage. (Medicare)

That means Medigap is trying to reduce the uncertainty of:

• repeated 20% coinsurance,
• hospital cost-sharing,
• deductibles,
• and other Medicare-approved out-of-pocket costs. (Medicare)

So when you ask whether a Medigap premium is worth it, the real comparison is:

premium cost now
versus
out-of-pocket risk later. (Medicare)

Some people prefer a lower monthly cost and more risk.
Some people prefer a higher monthly cost and less risk.

That is the real tradeoff.

High-deductible Medigap options

Medicare’s Medigap plan comparison chart notes that Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. Medicare says you must pay for Medicare-covered costs — including coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles — up to the deductible amount of $2,950 in 2026 before the policy pays anything. (Medicare)

This adds another layer to the cost conversation.

A high-deductible version may have a lower monthly premium, but it shifts more of the early-year costs back onto you before the plan starts helping.

So once again, the cheapest monthly premium is not automatically the cheapest overall option.

It depends on how much care you use and how much risk you are comfortable carrying.

Plans K and L: out-of-pocket limits

Medicare’s comparison chart also says that for Plans K and L, after you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible, the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year. (Medicare)

This is helpful because it shows that even within Medigap, different plans handle cost control in different ways.

That means price shopping is not just:

• premium amount,
• but also:
• how much protection the plan gives you,
• how much of certain benefits it covers,
• and whether it has a structure that limits your risk later in the year. (Medicare)

So “How much does Medigap cost?” is really both a premium question and a protection-design question.

Medigap versus Medicare Advantage: cost structure is different

Many people asking this keyword are really deciding between:

• Original Medicare + Medigap
  and
• Medicare Advantage (Part C)

Medicare’s 2026 handbook lays out this comparison very clearly.

With Original Medicare + Medigap, you:

• pay the monthly Part B premium,
• may pay a separate Part D premium,
• and may choose to buy Medigap to help with your out-of-pocket costs. Medicare also says Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit unless you have supplemental coverage. (Medicare)

With Medicare Advantage, Medicare says:

• You still pay the monthly Part B premium,
• You may also have to pay the plan’s premium,
• Some plans may have a $0 premium,
• Most plans include Part D,
• and plans have a yearly limit on what you pay for covered Medicare services. (Medicare)

So the cost comparison isn’t straightforward.

Medigap path

Often:

• Higher fixed monthly cost,
• lower surprise bills for Medicare-covered services,
• More provider freedom under Original Medicare. (Medicare)

Medicare Advantage path

Often:

• potentially lower premium,
• more plan rules and networks,
• built-in out-of-pocket maximum,
• Many plans include drug coverage and extras. (Medicare)

This matters because some people see a Medigap premium and think:
“That is too expensive.”

But the fair comparison is not premium versus zero.

The fair comparison is:
Medigap cost structure versus Medicare Advantage cost structure.

Why “$0 premium” can mislead people

This is one of the biggest mistakes in Medicare shopping.

Some Medicare Advantage plans may advertise a $0 premium. Medicare says some plans may indeed have a $0 premium and may even help pay all or part of your Part B premium. (Medicare)

That can make Medigap look expensive by comparison.

But it is not a simple apples-to-apples comparison.

A Medigap setup often means paying more each month in exchange for more predictable cost-sharing under Original Medicare. A $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan may still have:

• copayments,
• coinsurance,
• network rules,
• and different out-of-pocket costs when you actually use services. Medicare says those costs vary by plan. (Medicare)

So when asking how much Medigap costs, do not compare it only to the advertised premium of another type of plan.

Compare the whole structure.

What Medicare itself says about Medigap costs in 2026

Medicare’s official costs page gives a plain summary for 2026:

• Medigap premiums vary based on which Medigap policy you buy, where you live, and other factors.
• The amount can change each year.
• You must have Part B and keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy.
• Medigap usually helps pay your share of costs, such as deductibles and coinsurance, for services covered by Part A and Part B in Original Medicare.
• Some Medigap policies include extra benefits to help lower your costs, such as limited coverage when you travel outside the country. (Medicare)

That summary is one of the best official answers to the user’s keyword.

It is simple, honest, and realistic:
Medigap costs vary, and what you pay depends on multiple factors.

Why are estimated prices not enough

Medicare’s Medigap costs page says that when you compare Medigap plans, you will see estimated costs, but you should contact the insurance company for a more accurate price. (Medicare)

This matters because:

• The exact premium may change,
• discounts may apply,
• Underwriting status may matter,
• and the estimate may not reflect your full situation. (Medicare)

So if you are serious about buying Medigap, the answer to “How much does it cost?” always ends with:
Get an exact quote from the company.

That is what Medicare itself advises.

What “worth it” really means

People often ask how much Medigap costs, when what they really mean is:

Is it worth the premium?

That is not purely a price question. It is a risk question.

Medicare’s handbook makes the tradeoff clear:

• Original Medicare has no yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket unless you have supplemental coverage.
• Medigap helps pay some of those out-of-pocket costs.
• Medicare Advantage plans, by contrast, have yearly out-of-pocket limits and different cost structures. (Medicare)

So whether Medigap is worth it depends on:

• your health care usage,
• your financial risk tolerance,
• How much you value provider freedom,
• and whether you prefer paying more monthly for fewer surprises later.

A person who uses a lot of outpatient care may value Medigap differently from a person who rarely sees a doctor.

A person who hates surprise bills may value Medigap differently than someone comfortable absorbing more risk.

That is why there is no universal “right” price.

Common mistakes people make about Medigap cost

One common mistake is assuming there is a single national Medigap premium. Medicare says there is not. Premiums vary by policy, location, and other factors. (Medicare)

Another mistake is assuming the same letter plan costs about the same everywhere. Medicare says the benefits are the same for the same letter, but prices can vary widely between companies. (Medicare)

Another mistake is shopping only on today’s premium and ignoring the pricing method. Medicare’s guide explains that community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated policies can vary widely in cost over time. (Medicare)

Another common mistake is forgetting the Part B premium. Medicare says you must still pay Part B to keep your Medigap policy. (Medicare)

Another mistake is forgetting Part D. Medicare’s 2026 handbook says if you choose Original Medicare and want drug coverage, you may pay a separate Part D premium. (Medicare)

And another mistake is comparing Medigap only to a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan rather than comparing the full cost structure. Medicare’s own comparison materials show why that shortcut is misleading. (Medicare)

A simple way to think about Medigap cost

If you want the clearest practical framework, think of Medigap cost in three layers:

Layer 1: The Medigap premium

This varies by:

• letter plan
• company
• location
• rating method
• discounts
• application timing. (Medicare)

Layer 2: The Medicare premium you still pay

Usually:

• your Part B premium
• and often a Part D premium if you add a separate drug plan. (Medicare)

Layer 3: The risk Medigap reduces

It may lower:

• deductibles
• coinsurance
• copayments
• and other Medicare-approved cost-sharing, depending on your plan letter. (Medicare)

So the full question is not:
“What does the Medigap premium cost?”

It is:
What does the Medigap setup cost, and what financial risk does it remove?

Frequently asked questions

How much does Medicare Supplemental Insurance cost per month?

There is no single national monthly price. Medicare says the premium varies based on which Medigap policy you buy, where you live, and other factors, and it can change each year. (Medicare)

Do all companies charge the same price for the same Medigap plan letter?

No. Medicare says the benefits are the same for the same letter, but there can be big differences in premiums between companies selling the same plan. (Medicare)

What other Medicare costs do I still pay if I buy Medigap?

Medicare says you must keep paying your Part B premium to keep your Medigap policy. If you choose Original Medicare and add a separate Part D drug plan, you may also pay a separate Part D premium. (Medicare)

Why can one Medigap plan start cheap and get expensive later?

Medicare’s guide says some companies use attained-age-rated pricing, which means the premium increases as you get older. It says those policies may be the least expensive at first, but can eventually become the most expensive. (Medicare)

What are the three Medigap pricing methods?

Medicare says they are community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated. (Medicare)

Does buying younger help with the Medigap price?

Often yes, depending on the pricing method. Medicare says issue-age-rated premiums are lower for people who buy when younger and won’t increase as they get older, though they may still rise due to inflation and other factors. (Medicare)

Does Medigap cost more if I apply later?

It can. Medicare says the cost may depend on whether the company uses medical underwriting or charges a different premium when you do not have a guaranteed-issue right or are not in your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. (Medicare)

Is Medigap more expensive than Medicare Advantage?

It often has a different cost structure, not just a different premium. Medicare says Medigap is added on top of Original Medicare and Part B, while Medicare Advantage plans vary by plan and have their own out-of-pocket costs and annual limits. (Medicare)

Final answer

So, how much does Medicare Supplemental Insurance cost?

It varies. Medicare says Medigap premiums in 2026 depend on which policy you buy, where you live, and other factors, and the amount can change each year. The same lettered plan can cost very different amounts from different companies. Medicare also says your premium may depend on how the company prices the policy — community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated — as well as on discounts, underwriting, and timing. (Medicare)

And the Medigap premium is not the whole story. Medicare says you must keep paying your Part B premium to keep Medigap, and if you add a separate Part D plan with Original Medicare, you may pay that premium too. What you are buying in return is help with Medicare-covered out-of-pocket costs, such as deductibles and coinsurance, as well as more predictable financial protection under Original Medicare. (Medicare)

The clearest plain-English answer is this:

Medicare Supplemental Insurance costs a monthly premium that can range widely depending on your plan, company, location, and pricing method, and you should always judge that premium together with your Part B premium, possible Part D premium, and the amount of medical cost risk the policy takes off your shoulders.

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