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It's important to compare plans to get the lowest cost and best coverage when shopping for a Medicare Advantage, Medigap or Part D plan.
Free Medicare quotes: Which plan should you choose?
You should get Medicare Advantage quotes if you want bundled coverage, or quotes for Medigap or Medicare Part D if you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B).
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Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans combine coverage from Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance), B (medical care) and frequently Part D (prescription drug coverage). The average Medicare Advantage plan costs $27 a month.
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Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans cover the costs that you're responsible for paying with Original Medicare. On average, you'll pay $180 per month for a Medigap Plan G policy.
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Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage for people with regular Medicare. The average Medicare Part D plan costs $62 a month.
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
You need to sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) before you can buy a Medicare Advantage, Medigap or Medicare Part D plans.
You'll automatically get Medicare when you turn 65 and start getting Social Security.
How to get the best Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan for you
The best Medicare Supplement plan for you depends on the coverage you need and your budget.
All Medicare Supplement plans have a plan letter, and all plans with the same letter have the same coverage. That means each Plan A policy has the same coverage, no matter which company you buy it from.
Keep in mind, companies charge significantly different rates for the same coverage. That means you could save hundreds of dollars per month or more by comparing quotes from different companies.
It's also important to remember that more expensive companies don't necessarily offer better customer service. You should mainly consider price and service when shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan. Choosing a company with a better quality rating means you might face fewer problems down the road when you file a claim.
Although there are 10 different Medigap plans to choose from, the three most popular plans make up most of all Medicare Supplement policies sold. When shopping for a Medigap plan, consider Plans F, G and N since they offer the most overall coverage.
There are only a few differences between these plans. Plan F covers your $283 Medicare Part B deductible, but Plans G and N don't. Plans F and G cover possible extra fees called Part B excess charges, while Plan N doesn't.
Excess charges are rare. Only 2% of doctors can make them.
Covered costs under Plans F, G and N
- Part A coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Daily coinsurance for hospice care
- Daily coinsurance for a skilled nursing facility
- 80% of foreign emergency medical care
- Blood transfusions up to three pints
You need to consider the total cost and coverage levels when shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan. Plans F, G and N are popular because they offer a lot of coverage. However, if you're healthy, you might choose a cheaper plan that has less coverage.
Average cost of a Medigap plan
Plan | National average |
|---|---|
| High-deductible G | $52 |
| High-deductible F | $58 |
| K | $87 |
| L | $134 |
| N | $137 |
Average monthly costs are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare stands out for its combination of low prices and high-quality customer service. Mutual of Omaha also has a strong reputation for customer satisfaction. But the company's high rates make it a poor choice for most people.
Compare Medicare Plans in Your Area
HealthSpring and Centene also offer cheap plans. However, both companies get more customer complaints than average.
Plans G average prices by company
Plan G | |
|---|---|
| Centene | $156 |
| HealthSpring (Cigna) | $166 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $177 |
| BCBS | $189 |
| Humana | $195 |
| Aetna | $198 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $207 |
All monthly quotes are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke.
How to get the best and cheapest Medicare Advantage quotes
Look at star ratings, cost and coverage when shopping for the best Medicare Advantage plan in your area.
Medicare Advantage star ratings measure factors relating to plan quality, such as customer satisfaction and the ability of plan members to get the care they need.
Unlike Medigap plans, Medicare Advantage plans can differ significantly when it comes to coverage. The amount you'll need to pay for before coverage starts, the costs you'll pay when you get care and your annual spending limit all differ by plan. Plus, extra coverage such as dental, vision and fitness memberships all vary by plan name.
There are many cheap Medicare Advantage plans on the market, including some that don't charge a monthly rate. Beyond looking at prices, you should also consider coverage details and customer satisfaction when comparing plans.
Medicare Advantage (Part C) combines Medicare Parts A, B and often D in a single package. Medicare Advantage plans have grown in popularity because they usually offer extra coverage at no charge or for a low extra cost.
For example, many Medicare Advantage plans offer bundled prescription drug coverage, vision, dental and fitness and wellness coverage. You'll have to buy these separately with regular Medicare (Parts A and B).
Average monthly rates
Company | Monthly rates |
|---|---|
| HealthSpring (Cigna) | $4 |
| Aetna | $19 |
| Humana | $22 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $26 |
Most Medicare Advantage plans are PPOs or HMOs. HMOs typically cost less than other types of health plans. However, they restrict you to in-network doctors for most nonemergency services. PPOs give you more flexibility by letting you see a doctor outside of your network.
When comparing plans, you should also remember the other costs you're responsible for paying.
- Deductible: The amount you have to pay before your health insurance kicks in.
- Copays: A set cost you pay for medical services such as doctor visits and getting your prescription filled.
- Coinsurance: A percent of your medical bill that you have to pay once you've met your deductible.
- Out-of-pocket maximum: The most you will pay in a single year for medical services.
A $0 Medicare Advantage plan might have a higher deductible and copay than a Medicare Advantage plan with a monthly rate. That means if you have an ongoing health condition, you might still pay more than if you had a Medicare Advantage plan with a monthly cost.
Although you'll typically pay a much higher monthly rate for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) with a Medigap and Part D plan, the costs you'll pay when you go to the doctor or fill prescriptions are often significantly lower. That's because a Medigap Plan with good coverage, such as Plan G, will pay for nearly all of the costs you'd normally be responsible for paying when you go to the hospital.
You should only choose a Medicare Advantage plan if you're in good health, and you can easily afford to meet your plan's out-of-pocket maximum from your savings.
Compare Medicare Part D plans
Medicare Part D offers prescription drug coverage for traditional Medicare (Parts A and B). Plans are offered by private insurance companies.
The national average price for a Medicare Part D plan is $62 a month. However, this number is misleading because most plans either have a $0 deductible and a high monthly rate or a $615 deductible and a low monthly rate.
Average cost of Medicare Part D
Monthly rate | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|
| High-deductible plan | $48 | $615 |
| Zero-dollar deductible plan | $129 | $0 |
All Medicare Part D plans cover different drugs. If you have a prescription or a drug you're interested in taking, you should check each plan's list of covered drugs, called a formulary, before you buy.
All Part D plans have to cover at least two drugs per disease category. Even if your plan doesn't cover a specific medication, there's a good chance you'll have coverage for a similar drug.
All Part D plans divide drugs into five different cost tiers. You'll find generics and other cheap drugs in the lower tiers and more expensive brand-name drugs in the upper tiers. Before you buy your plan, take a look at the tier list, which is usually available in your plan details or online through the health insurance company website.
You can get a good idea of the costs you'll pay at the pharmacy with this document. Remember, a Part D plan with a low monthly rate isn't necessarily a good deal if you have high copays and coinsurance for most drugs.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Medicare cost?
Medicare Supplement Plan G costs an average of $180 per month, and Medicare Part D drug plans cost $62 per month, on average.
Medicare Advantage plans cost $27 per month, on average. Although it's important to note that most Medicare Advantage plans have a $0 monthly rate.
Do I need supplemental insurance with Medicare?
You don't need to buy a Medicare Supplement plan, but it's a good idea if you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B). That's because you're responsible for about 20% of your medical costs with Original Medicare, and there's no cap on how much you could pay in a year. A Medigap plan with good coverage, such as Plans G, F and N, will limit the costs you're responsible for paying when you get medical care, potentially saving you from a large bill down the road.
Are there any Medicare plans that are free?
Roughly three out of every four people with a Medicare Advantage plan pay $0 per month for coverage. Plus, an increasing number of $0 Medicare Part D plans have become available in recent years.
Keep in mind, you still have to pay your Medicare Part B monthly rate regardless of whether you have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or a Medicare Advantage plan.
Sources and methodology
Medicare Supplement plan information is from Medicare.gov. Recommendations are based on rate prices, customer complaints and reviews and data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Cost data for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke was used to determine average prices. Rates exclude those influenced by medical underwriting, a process in which a consumer's health status is used to determine prices and eligibility.
Averages exclude Medicare Select plans and data from states that use nonstandard Medicare Supplement plans.
Senior Writer
Talon Abernathy is a ValuePenguin Senior Writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare and Medicaid. He's also contributed to other insurance verticals including home, renters, auto, motorcycle and flood insurance.
Talon came to ValuePenguin in 2023. Since his arrival, he's helped to expand the site's health insurance-related content offerings. He enjoys helping readers understand the ins and outs of America's all too complicated health insurance landscape.
Before coming to ValuePenguin, Talon worked as a freelance writer. His prior work has touched on a broad range of personal finance-related topics including credit-building strategies, small business incorporation tactics and creative ways to save for retirement.
Insurance tip
In many parts of the country, you can qualify for a free Silver health insurance plan if you meet certain income requirements. Government subsidies in the form of premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions may mean you'll pay nothing for coverage.
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