There isn’t just one “Medicare plan” — there are a few different paths, and picking the right one depends entirely on what matters most to you.
Three Paths Through Medicare
Here’s the general shape of each option — your real conversation will get into the specifics that apply to you.
Original Medicare
See any doctor who accepts Medicare, nationwide
No provider networks to worry about
No cap on your out-of-pocket costs by itself
Medicare Advantage
Often bundles in extras like dental, vision, or hearing
Usually has an annual out-of-pocket maximum
Typically requires using an in-network provider
Medicare Supplement
Pairs with Original Medicare to cover its gaps
Very predictable costs — few surprises
Generally the highest monthly premium of the three
The general pattern: Original Medicare + Supplement gives you the most predictability and provider flexibility, usually at a higher monthly cost. Medicare Advantage often costs less monthly and bundles in extras, usually in exchange for network restrictions.
General overview only. Specific benefits, costs, and availability vary by plan and location.
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
If you go the Original Medicare + Supplement route, here’s the official chart showing exactly what each lettered plan covers. Every insurer’s “Plan G” covers the exact same things — the only difference is price.
✓ = covers 100% of this benefit— = plan doesn’t cover this% = plan covers that percentage, you pay the rest
Benefit
A
B
C
D
F*
G*
K
L
M
N
Part A coinsurance & hospital (365 extra days)
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
Part B coinsurance or copay
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
✓
✓**
Blood (first 3 pints)
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
✓
✓
Part A hospice coinsurance/copay
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
✓
✓
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
—
—
✓
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
✓
✓
Part A deductible
—
✓
✓
✓
✓
✓
50%
75%
50%
✓
Part B deductible
—
—
✓
—
✓
—
—
—
—
—
Part B excess charge
—
—
—
—
✓
✓
—
—
—
—
Foreign travel emergency
—
—
80%
80%
80%
80%
—
—
80%
80%
Out-of-pocket yearly limit (2026)
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$8,000
$4,000
N/A
N/A
*Plans C and F aren’t available if you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plans F and G also offer a high-deductible version ($2,950 deductible in 2026) with a lower monthly premium.
**Plan N covers Part B coinsurance in full except for a copay on some office visits and ER visits.
Source: medicare.gov official Medigap comparison chart. Benefits are federally standardized — every insurer’s version of the same lettered plan covers identical benefits; only price and company differ.
Medicare Part D (Prescription Drugs)
Original Medicare doesn’t cover prescription drugs on its own — Part D is a separate add-on that fills that gap.
Do You Need It?
Needed if you have Original Medicare + a Supplement plan
Usually not needed separately if your Medicare Advantage plan already includes drug coverage
Why Plans Differ
Each plan has its own list of covered drugs (called a formulary)
The same medication can cost very different amounts plan to plan
Worth knowing — the Late Enrollment Penalty: If you don’t sign up for Part D when you’re first eligible (and don’t have other creditable drug coverage), you may face a penalty added permanently to your premium for as long as you have Part D. It doesn’t go away later.
The real comparison isn’t just the premium. The cheapest plan on paper can end up costing more overall if your specific medications aren’t on its formulary, or if your regular pharmacy isn’t in its network. This is exactly the kind of thing worth checking together.
Formularies, pharmacy networks, and penalty amounts change annually and vary by plan. Confirm current details for your specific medications before enrolling.
Medicare Advantage (Part C), A Closer Look
More than 33 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, making it the most common way people get Medicare today.
HMO Plans
Usually the lower-premium option
Typically must stay within plan’s network
Usually needs a referral to see a specialist
PPO Plans
More flexibility to see out-of-network providers
Usually no referral needed for specialists
Premiums tend to run higher than HMO
Dental care
Vision (exams, glasses)
Hearing aids & exams
Gym / fitness memberships
Over-the-counter allowance
Transportation to appointments
Extra benefits vary widely by plan — not every Medicare Advantage plan offers all of these, and some offer even more.
Star Ratings: Every year, Medicare rates Medicare Advantage plans on a 1-to-5 star scale based on quality measures like customer service, care coordination, and preventive care. The 2026 average is just under 4 stars, and only a small handful of plans nationwide earn the full 5 stars — worth checking a plan’s current rating before enrolling.
Enrollment figures, star ratings, and average premiums reflect 2026 data and change annually. Confirm current details for any specific plan before enrolling.
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