What is the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan?

Asked by: Hadley Beer  |  Last update: August 10, 2026
Score: 4.5/5 (64 votes)

The best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more due to pre-existing conditions (medical underwriting).

When to enroll in Medigap?

The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This is the 6-month period that starts the first day of the month you're 65 or older and signed up for Part B. After this period, your options to buy a Medigap policy may be limited and the policy may cost more.

What is the best insurance company for Medigap Plan G?

UnitedHealthcare is the best Plan G Medicare Supplement (Medigap) provider of 2026, according to Investopedia research. Anthem and State Farm are two more excellent options. Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan, and it's the most comprehensive for people who turned 65 on or after Jan. 1, 2020.

Do Medigap plans get more expensive with age?

Insurance companies set prices for Medigap policies in 1 of 3 ways: Attained-Age Rating — This is the most common way policies are priced in California. Attained age-rated policies increase in price as you age, because as you get older, you typically require more health care.

Is it better to have Medigap or Medicare Advantage?

Summary. Cost-wise, if you have a lot of medical expenses, Medigap could be a good option for you. The premiums are usually higher than Medicare Advantage plans, but out-of-pocket costs are typically lower. This also means more predictable costs, if you're trying to budget.

Top Medicare Supplement Plans Ranked by Popularity (What Most Seniors Choose)

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What is the most popular Medigap plan for seniors?

Plan G remains the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees, offering comprehensive coverage with predictable costs. Other popular plan options include High-Deductible Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F (if eligible).

How much will Medigap premiums increase in 2025?

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $185.00 for 2025, an increase of $10.30 from $174.70 in 2024. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries will be $257 in 2025, an increase of $17 from the annual deductible of $240 in 2024.

Is Blue Cross Blue Shield a good Medigap company?

Blue Cross Blue Shield companies have relatively average complaint rates. BCBS members file about 13% more complaints than the average for all Medigap companies. That's according to 2022 to 2024 data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) [3] .

Which states have the most expensive Medigap plans?

Top 5 states with the highest Medigap premiums

  • New York.
  • Connecticut.
  • Washington.
  • Florida.
  • California.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

Here are some of the biggest Medicare mistakes to avoid:

  • Missing the initial enrollment window. ...
  • Assuming Medicare covers everything. ...
  • Overlooking the benefits of supplemental coverage. ...
  • Forgetting to enroll or re-evaluate prescription drug coverage. ...
  • Not comparing plans regularly.

When can I change my Medicare Supplement plan for 2025?

You can generally change your Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan for 2025 during the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 - December 7, 2024), with changes effective January 1, 2025, but you might also have other opportunities through Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) if you qualify, or at any time in certain states with guaranteed issue rights or birthday rules, though underwriting often applies outside of these windows, notes Medicare.gov, KFF, and NCOA websites. 

Are Medigap premiums going up in 2026 for seniors?

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B will be $202.90 a month for 2026, an increase of $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025. The Medicare Part B deductible, or the amount beneficiaries must pay out of pocket before coverage begins, will be $283 in 2026, an increase of $26 from 2025.

Who qualifies for an extra $144 added to their social security?

The extra $144 added to Social Security usually comes from the Medicare Part B Giveback benefit, offered by some Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, which pays back some or all your Part B premium, showing up as extra money in your check if it's deducted from your Social Security. To qualify, you need Original Medicare (Parts A & B), pay your own Part B premium, live in a plan's service area, and enroll in a specific Medicare Advantage plan that offers this "rebate," with the amount varying by plan and location. 

Which is better, issue age or attained age?

Medigap Premium Increases

Attained-Age plans typically experience premium increases as the policyholder gets older, while Issue-Age plans may experience premium increases due to inflation and other factors. Community-Rated plans may also experience premium increases due to inflation, but not due to age.

What are common complaints about Medigap plans?

Here are a few common complaints we have heard about Medigap:

  • Complaint 1: High Monthly Premium Cost. ...
  • Complaint 2: No prescription drug coverage. ...
  • Complaint 3: Limited coverage for certain services. ...
  • Complaint 4: Limited enrollment period. ...
  • Complaint 5: No annual switching period. ...
  • Complaint 6: No additional benefits.

Which Medigap company has the best customer service?

Best for member satisfaction: State Farm

State Farm sells Medigap policies in most states, and members have few complaints about the company.

Is GoodRx better than Medicare Part D?

While your Medicare Part D gives you main prescription coverage, GoodRx can help you save even more money. Sometimes, the savings can be more than what you pay in copayments or coinsurance.