Best Medicare Supplement Plans: 2024’s Medigap Providers Ranked
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Medicare, which currently insures nearly 64 million Americans, covers a wide range of medical and health care expenses, but it won’t cover everything. Coinsurance, hospital fees, copayments, blood transfusions, and extended skilled nursing facility stays all fall outside of Medicare coverage, making it essential to purchase a Medigap policy.
Medigap plans, also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, are a type of policy that covers the “gaps” in one's Medicare coverage. As people get older and their likelihood of needing medical care increases, a Medigap policy helps defray out-of-pocket costs.
In this guide to the best Medigap providers, we'll walk through several of our favorite Medigap providers and explore what sets them apart from the competition.
What Are Medicare Supplement Plans?
In this short video, our Managing Editor, Ryan Molloy, explains the basics of Medicare Supplement Insurance.
Also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance, a Medigap policy provides extra coverage, ensuring that you won’t be hit with any surprise charges for health care. Here are some of this year’s best Medigap providers.
Pro Tip: Are you new to the world of Medicare supplemental insurance? Take a look at our guide — What Is Medigap? —to learn about eligibility, enrollment dates, and types of coverage.
Best Medicare Supplement Plans
- Humana : Best Overall Medigap Plans
- Anthem : Best App
- Cigna : Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
- Aetna : Best Online Experience
- Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans : Best Customer Service
- ManhattanLife : Lowest Premiums
- AARP Medicare : Best Educational Resources
- Colonial Penn : Widest Range of Plans
Medicare Supplement Pricing
| Provider | Plan A Premium | Plan F Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $111.21 | $175.68 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $95.42 | $152.50 |
| Cigna | $148.21 | $211.33 |
| ManhattanLife | $92.17 | $144.42 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $75.71 | $166.32 |
| Colonial Penn | $94.12 | $148.78 |
| Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield | $212.29 | $240.09 |
| Humana | $171.86 | $233.17 |
*The listed premiums are based on a 70-year-old nonsmoking woman living in Kentucky.
Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in 2024
1. Humana - Best Overall Medigap Plans
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans offered
- 24/7 customer service
- Vision and dental add-ons available
- High-deductible plan options
Humana was founded in 1961 as a nursing company, and today offers Medigap plans to people around the nation.
Available Plans
Humana offers Medigap Plans A, F, G, K, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your plan is good wherever Medicare is accepted.
Extra Benefits
Some Humana Medicare Supplement plans offer Healthy Living options that include vision and/or dental.
Humana offers a smooth online experience, an excellent range of plans, and supportive staff on hand if you need help. You can even arrange a meeting with a representative. Humana provides a customer-friendly experience with easy search options and a decent range of plans to cover all eventualities.
Pros
- Competitive prices
- Large in-person network
- Affordable copays for routine care
- Online resources for vision care
Cons
- Hidden fees and changing copays
- Restricted to in-network services
2. Anthem - Best App
What We Like Most:
- Extensive provider network
- Affordable monthly premiums
- Bundling options with health and dental
- Large selection of plans
Anthem is the largest for-profit healthcare company in the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. The company, headquartered in Indiana, was founded in 1946 as Mutual Hospital Insurance Inc. and Mutual Medical Insurance Inc.
Available Plans
Anthem Medicare Supplement plans include A, F, G, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your plan is good anywhere Medicare is accepted.
Extra Benefits
Some plans offer a 5 percent discount if someone else in your household is enrolled in an Anthem Medicare supplement. Some plans also offer additional dental and vision benefits for an extra premium.
Pros
- Affordable premiums
- Extensive company network
- Bundled with health and dental plans
- Potentially high yearly allowances
Cons
- Doesn’t cover all states
- Denies some claims
3. Cigna - Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
What We Like Most:
- Large range of plans
- Coverage for people with preexisting conditions
- Foreign travel emergency coverage available
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance available
Cigna was formed in Philadelphia in 1972 as the Insurance Company of North America. It now serves customers in more than 30 countries, offering health insurance, dental insurance, and, of course, Medigap policies. One of the great things about Cigna is that it often provides coverage for people with preexisting conditions.
Available Plans
Cigna offers Medigap Plans F, High-Deductible F, G, N, and A.
Network Restrictions
Your insurance is good for any doctor who accepts Medicare.
Extra Benefits
With Cigna Medigap plans, you can take advantage of savings on a range of health and wellness programs. You can often save on premiums if more than one person in your household enrolls in a Medigap plan. Cigna’s policies are guaranteed renewable for life, which means your coverage won’t get canceled because of a downturn in your health.
Cigna Medicare Supplement plans are straightforward, and its website has a wealth of information to help you make informed choices. You can also receive a free quote through the company’s website or customer service line.
Pros
- 24/7 customer service line
- Household discounts
- Easy-to-understand policies
- Coverage in most states
Cons
- Relatively few plan options
4. Aetna - Best Online Experience
What We Like Most:
- Five plans to choose from
- Additional benefits for plan members
- No network restrictions
- Keep your coverage even if you move
Aetna dates back to the 1800s, when it was known as Aetna Fire Insurance. Aetna now offers private health insurance, Medigap plans, dental coverage, and prescription-drug plans to more than 22 million members in 42 states. Best of all, Aetna policies are portable, so you won’t have to change your Medigap policy if you move to another state.
Available Plans
Aetna Medicare Supplement plans include A, B, C, D, F, High-Deductible F, G, High-Deductible G, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your Aetna plan is good for any provider who accepts Medicare.
Extra Benefits
With Aetna, your Medigap plan is guaranteed for renewal even if your health changes. You can also receive discounts by purchasing multiple insurance plans. Aetna offers two helpful apps: Aetna Health, which helps you keep track of your account and coverage, and Attain by Aetna, a lifestyle app that helps you maintain your health.
To get started with Aetna, visit the company’s website to learn about the policies offered in your area and receive a free quote in a matter of minutes.
Pros
- Range of plans available
- Extra perks for members
- No network restrictions
- Stand-alone dental and prescription plans
Cons
- Cumbersome website
5. Mutual of Omaha Medigap Plans - Best Customer Service
What We Like Most:
- Wide range of plans
- 12% spouse discount
- Prescription-drug and dental options
- No network restrictions
Offering affordable coverage without network restrictions, Mutual of Omaha is a solid choice for a number of Medigap plans. In our experience, its team is super quick with processing claims, allowing them to provide a great customer experience.
Available Plans
Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement plans include A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your Mutual of Omaha insurance is good wherever Medicare is accepted.
Extra Benefits
With Mutual of Omaha, your Medigap plan is guaranteed for as long as you keep paying your premiums. It also offers one of the biggest household discounts we’ve seen, shaving between 7-12 percent off your monthly premium for eligible policyholders.
Mutual of Omaha makes it easy to get the coverage you need, whether you’re looking for a plan that covers all (or nearly all) eventualities with few out-of-pocket expenses or a backup plan for unexpected health problems.
Pros
- Prescription-drug and dental options
- No network restrictions
- Dedicated helpline
- High-deductible options
Cons
- Not available in Massachusetts
6. ManhattanLife - Lowest Premiums
What We Like Most:
- Highly competitive premiums
- 7% household discount
- Relaxed underwriting
- Bundled plans available
ManhattanLife is one of the oldest privately-owned insurance companies, having insured Americans since 1850. Its Medigap policies also offer some of the lowest premiums we’ve seen from any company.
Available Plans
ManhattanLife Medicare Supplement plans include A, C, F, G, and N.
Network Restrictions
ManhattanLife Medigap policies have no network restrictions, so you can see the doctor of your choice.
Extra Benefits
ManhattanLife offers a 7 percent household discount for multiple policyholders. It also allows you to bundle vision, dental, and even hearing coverage with Medigap for added savings. If you don’t have diabetes or use tobacco, a ManhattanLife policy will likely be your cheapest option.
Pros
- Vision and dental coverage available
- Five plans offered
- Free and quick quote process
- Choose your own provider
Cons
- No online quoting
7. AARP Medicare - Best Educational Resources
What We Like Most:
- Household and electronic payment discounts
- Plans A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N offered
- Helpful online resources
AARP is a well-known senior organization. Since its founding in 1958, it has focused on supporting and advocating for senior citizens nationwide. Partnering with UnitedHealthcare, it now offers some of the best Medigap policies available.
Available Plans
AARP and UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement plans include A, B, C, F, G, K, L, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your AARP coverage is good anywhere that accepts Medicare.
Extra Benefits
You can search AARP’s website to see what’s available in your area; it has plenty of useful information to help you make your choice. AARP knows its customers, and its staff is always ready to help. AARP’s purpose is to make life better for seniors, which means it truly cares about its target customers and has the knowledge and experience to back up its products.
Pros
- Interactive website
- Friendly customer service
- Wide range of plans
- In-person appointments available
Cons
- Must be an AARP member to enroll
8. Colonial Penn - Widest Range of Plans
What We Like Most:
- In business since 1879
- 30-day trial period for policies
- Specializes in life and Medigap insurance
- Offers permanent coverage
Colonial Penn was founded by AARP co-founder Leonard Davis, and it has been providing insurance for more than 60 years. It now offers insurance to people of all ages, but Colonial Penn began by focusing on people over 60. Dedication to older adults is still part of its ethos.
Available Plans
Colonial Penn offers Medigap Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.
Network Restrictions
Your plan is good wherever Medicare is accepted.
Extra Benefits
Colonial Penn is a great option for reasonably priced Medigap plans.
Pros
- Wide range of plans
- Reasonable premiums
- Portable coverage
- No network restrictions
Cons
- No online quoting
How We Chose the Best Medigap Providers
Since Medigap policies are federally regulated, the actual coverage you receive will be identical from company to company. For example, a Medigap Plan C from Cigna will offer the same benefits as Aetna’s Plan C. The companies on this list, however, provide some additional services that help them rise above hundreds of other Medigap providers.
Here’s what we looked for:
- Nationwide availability: Few insurers offer Medigap policies in every state, but we looked for insurers that offered coverage in 40 or more states. Some of these providers even allow you to keep your policy upon relocating to another state.
- Transparent pricing: From free online quotes to guarantees that your premiums won’t rise with age, we looked for providers that make it very clear what you’re paying for.
- Extra perks: Our favorite Medigap providers offer extra benefits for policyholders, such as household discounts, fitness programs, and savings on healthcare services.
- Financial stability: Using data from AM Best, we made sure each of these providers rated highly in financial health and reliability, ensuring that you'll be able to get the coverage you're entitled to.
- In-person agents: In an increasingly digital world, we value when a company has in-person agents available to walk you through the details of your insurance policy.
Bottom Line
While individual Medigap plans are created equal in terms of coverage, they differ in terms of premiums, availability, and extra perks. To get started, we recommend taking a look at our individual provider pages. Additionally, be sure to check out our helpful guides:
Medigap Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you be denied Medigap coverage?
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, and New York require insurers to sell policies to all Medicare beneficiaries. In all other states, however, insurers may deny you coverage if you enroll outside of the Initial Enrollment Period, that is, the 7 months during which you’re Eligible for Medicare (three months before to three months after your 65th birthday).
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Is Medigap better than Medicare Advantage?
If you can afford the higher premiums, we always recommend enrolling in Medigap (with Original Medicare) as opposed to Medicare Advantage, as MA plans will restrict your networks.
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Can you switch Medigap plans?
Switching Medigap plans can be difficult depending on the company, but it can be done. Generally, the best time to switch policies is during your Medigap open-enrollment period.
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What is the most popular Medigap plan?
In my experience, Medigap Plan F is the most popular since it offers the most comprehensive coverage.
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Does Medigap cover prescription medications?
No Medigap plan covers prescription medications, but most companies offer separate plans that can be used to cover these costs.
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Can the insurance company cancel my Medigap plan?
In most cases, an insurer can’t cancel your Medigap coverage except for one of three reasons: you stop paying your premium, you lied on your application, or the company goes bankrupt or becomes insolvent.
