Questions & answers · Health insurance
What does a Medigap plan pay, and what is the difference between Plan G and Plan C?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: Medicare.gov · What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)? · page text View original ↗
In short
- Medigap helps pay your share of Original Medicare costs.
- Not everyone can buy Plan C. It depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare.
- Medicare.gov has a chart of what each plan letter pays.
What this means
Medicare.gov says Medigap is extra insurance you may buy. It helps pay your share of costs in Original Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles [1]. In general you need Original Medicare to buy one [1]. A Medigap policy only pays your coinsurance after you pay the deductible, unless it also covers your deductible [2].
Medicare.gov warns that not everyone can buy Medigap Plan C. It depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare [2]. Plan F has the same limit [2]. Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible plan in some states. In 2026 you pay up to $2,950 in Medicare-covered costs before that policy pays [2]. The yearly Part B deductible is $283 in 2026 [2].
The Medicare.gov chart shows what each plan letter pays. The sources here do not list which of the two covers the Part B deductible. Read that row of the chart.
Your next step
Open the Medicare.gov Medigap chart to see what each plan letter pays [2]. The sources give no deadline.
Check it yourself
The sources here do not give premiums or your right to buy: "Don't know yet" for your case.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] Medicare.gov · What's Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap)? · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) is extra insurance you may be able to buy from a private health insurance company to help pay your share of out-of-pocket costs in Original Medicare … Generally, you must have Original Medicare
[2] Medicare.gov · Compare Medigap Plan Benefits · chart notes · checked 2026-11-06
The Medigap policy will only pay your coinsurance after you've paid the deductible (unless the Medigap policy also covers your deductible). … Important: Not everyone can buy Medigap Plan C … Your eligibility depends on when you first became eligible for Medicare … You must pay up to $2,950 in 2026 for Medicare-covered costs (coinsurance, copayments and deductibles) before your policy pays anything. … your yearly Part…
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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Answer id CQ4704. Spotted an error? Tell us.