Everything you need to know about Medigap — what it is, how it works, and how to choose the right plan. NISONA helps Florida residents compare every option, free and unbiased.
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Medicare Supplement Insurance — almost always called Medigap — is private insurance sold to work alongside Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement plans help pay for some of the healthcare costs that Original Medicare does not cover, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
Medicare Supplement and Medigap are the same thing. “Medicare Supplement” is the formal product name. “Medigap” is the everyday nickname — it literally fills the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. You will see both terms used interchangeably throughout this site, on Medicare.gov, and by every carrier that sells these plans.
Medigap is sold by private insurance companies, but every plan is regulated and standardized by the federal government. That means a Medigap policy is never a replacement for Medicare — it only works alongside Original Medicare Parts A and B, paying the bills Medicare leaves behind.
Curious how much a Medigap plan would cost for you?
Depending on which plan you choose, a Medigap policy can help pay for:
⚠ Important: Medigap never includes prescription drug coverage. If you have a Medigap plan you will also need a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover medications.
This is the single most important thing to understand about Medigap: every plan with the same letter offers the exact same benefits, no matter which insurance company sells it. A Plan G from one carrier covers exactly the same things as a Plan G from any other carrier. The only differences between carriers are the monthly premium, financial strength, and customer service.
✓ Part A coinsurance ·
✓ Part B coinsurance ·
✓ Blood (3 pints) ·
✓ Hospice coinsurance
✗ Skilled nursing ·
✗ Part A deductible ·
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges ·
✗ Foreign travel
✓ Part A & B coinsurance ·
✓ Blood (3 pints) ·
✓ Hospice coinsurance ·
✓ Part A deductible
✗ Skilled nursing ·
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges ·
✗ Foreign travel
✓ Everything except
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges
✓ Everything except
✗ Part B deductible only
✓ Same as Plan G, after $2,950 annual deductible ·
✗ Part B deductible only
✓ Part A coinsurance (100%) ·
△ 50% of Part B coinsurance, blood, hospice, skilled nursing, Part A deductible
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges ·
✗ Foreign travel
✓ Part A coinsurance (100%) ·
△ 75% of Part B coinsurance, blood, hospice, skilled nursing, Part A deductible
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges ·
✗ Foreign travel
✓ Everything except
△ 50% of Part A deductible ·
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges
✓ Everything except
✗ Part B deductible ·
✗ Excess charges ·
△ small copays at office visits/ER
| Benefit | A | B | D | G | HD-G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Part B coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | Copay |
| First 3 pints of blood | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | ✓ | ✓ |
| Part A deductible | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | 50% | 75% | 50% | ✓ |
| Part B deductible | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Part B excess charges | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✗ | ✗ | 80% | 80% | 80% | ✗ | ✗ | 80% | 80% |
* Plans C and F are closed to anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Gold-highlighted columns (D, G, High-Deductible G, and N) are NISONA’s most commonly recommended plans for Florida residents.
Want a personalized breakdown of which letters make sense for you?
While all 9 lettered Medicare Supplement plans are technically available, four plans account for the vast majority of Medigap enrollments in Florida. Here’s a quick look at each.
The most popular Medigap plan in Florida. Covers almost all Medicare-approved costs except the Part B deductible. Maximum coverage, maximum peace of mind.
A lower-premium alternative to Plan G with small copays at office visits and the ER. A great balance of coverage and cost.
The lowest monthly premium Medigap option. You pay the first $2,950 in costs before full coverage kicks in — ideal for healthy individuals who want catastrophic protection.
Strong middle-ground coverage with a comfortable premium. Fully available to all new enrollees, unlike Plan C or F.
Why these four? Plans D, G, High-Deductible G, and N strike the best balance of strong coverage, reasonable premiums, and broad carrier availability for people becoming newly eligible for Medicare today. Plans A, B, K, L, and M are still available but cover less or require more cost-sharing, making them a less common fit for most Florida residents.
Since every plan with the same letter covers identical benefits, choosing among Medicare Supplement plans really comes down to weighing a few personal factors.
More comprehensive plans like G have a higher premium but very little out-of-pocket exposure. High-Deductible G has a much lower premium but requires you to pay more before coverage kicks in.
Plan N requires small copays at office visits and the ER in exchange for a lower premium than Plan G. If you would rather pay a flat monthly amount and avoid surprise bills, Plan G may suit you better.
If you travel internationally, plans that include foreign travel emergency coverage (D, G, N, and High-Deductible G) provide valuable protection that basic plans like A and B do not.
Generally healthy individuals who rarely visit the doctor may do well with a lower-premium plan. Those managing chronic conditions or anticipating frequent care often benefit more from comprehensive coverage with minimal cost-sharing.
Not sure how these factors apply to your situation?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the single best time to buy a Medicare Supplement plan — and it only happens once.
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the month you are both 65 or older AND enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts exactly 6 months.
During this window, insurance companies must sell you any Medigap policy they offer — at the best available rate — regardless of any health conditions you have.
⚠ This window does not repeat. Unlike Medicare Advantage’s Annual Enrollment Period, your Medigap Open Enrollment happens exactly once in your lifetime. Florida does not have an annual “birthday rule” that reopens this window each year, so timing your enrollment correctly matters enormously.
Even outside your Open Enrollment Period, certain life events trigger “guaranteed issue rights” — special protections that temporarily require carriers to sell you a Medigap policy without medical underwriting.
Not sure if you qualify for guaranteed issue? These rules have specific timelines and documentation requirements. NISONA can review your situation and confirm whether you have a guaranteed issue right before you apply.
If you apply for a Medigap plan outside your Open Enrollment Period and without a guaranteed issue right, the insurance carrier may require medical underwriting before approving your application.
Medical underwriting means the carrier reviews your health history — often through a questionnaire and sometimes a review of your medical records — to assess risk. Based on that review, the carrier can:
⚠ This is exactly why timing matters. Applying during your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue event avoids underwriting entirely. This is one of the most important reasons to plan ahead and work with someone who can help you apply at the right time.
There is no single best Medigap plan for everyone — but there are clear advantages that make traditional Medicare Supplement coverage stand out from every other path through Medicare.
No networks, no referrals. If a doctor or hospital accepts Medicare, your Medigap plan works there — whether you’re in Vero Beach or visiting family across the country.
With comprehensive plans like G, your out-of-pocket exposure is limited to one small annual deductible. No surprise bills after a hospital stay or major procedure.
As long as you pay your premium, your carrier cannot cancel your policy due to declining health or increased claims — coverage continues for as long as you need it.
Because every plan letter is federally standardized, you never have to read fine print to compare two Plan G policies — they’re identical by law. You’re simply choosing the carrier with the best price and service.
Unlike Medicare Advantage networks and formularies, your Medigap benefits don’t change year to year. The coverage you signed up for is the coverage you keep.
Remember — Medigap and Medicare Supplement are the same thing. Every advantage listed above applies equally whether you hear the product called “Medigap” or “Medicare Supplement.” There is no difference in coverage, regulation, or value between the two names — only in which word a particular carrier, agent, or website happens to use.
The “best” plan is the one that fits your health, your budget, and your peace of mind.
Answers to the questions we hear most often about Medicare Supplement insurance.
Yes, completely. “Medigap” and “Medicare Supplement” refer to the exact same type of insurance product. There is no difference in coverage or regulation between the two terms.
No. Medigap plans never include prescription drug coverage. You will need a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover medications, regardless of which Medigap plan you choose.
Yes, you can apply to switch at any time. However, outside your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue event, the new carrier can require medical underwriting and may deny coverage or charge a higher rate based on your health.
No. While the benefits are identical across carriers, premiums can vary significantly. This is exactly why comparing multiple carriers before enrolling is so valuable — you could pay considerably less for the exact same coverage.
No. It is illegal for an insurance company to sell you a Medigap policy if you currently have Medicare Advantage, unless you are switching back to Original Medicare. You must choose one path or the other.
No. NISONA’s guidance is completely free. Insurance carriers pay licensed agents directly, so working with a broker never increases your premium.
Medicare Supplement plans — whether you call them Medigap or Medicare Supplement — remain one of the most reliable ways to gain predictable, nationwide healthcare coverage alongside Original Medicare. Because every plan letter is standardized by law, choosing a plan really comes down to matching the right level of coverage to your budget and health needs, then comparing carriers for the best price.
Timing matters enormously — your one-time Open Enrollment Period is the easiest and safest time to enroll without medical underwriting. Whether you’re newly turning 65, switching from Medicare Advantage, or simply comparing your options, NISONA is here to make the process simple and pressure-free.
We encourage you to review these official government resources as part of your Medigap decision.
⚠ Medicare Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a complete description of benefits. Medicare plan availability and costs may vary by county. Contact a licensed Medicare agent for plan details. NISONA is an independent insurance agency and is not affiliated with Medicare or the Social Security Administration.
Choosing the right Medigap plan — and applying at the right time — can save you significant money and prevent coverage headaches down the road. Our friendly, knowledgeable advisors compare every option so you can choose with confidence.
Our service is completely free. No pressure. No obligation. Just answers.
Nisona serves the insurance needs of the Treasure and Space Coast.