Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) standardization is the federal framework that defines ten plan letters, Plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N, each with federally defined identical benefits across all carriers nationwide. A beneficiary comparing Plan G from Mutual of Omaha to Plan G from AARP/UnitedHealthcare to Plan G from Cigna is comparing identical coverage at potentially different premiums. The benefits do not vary by carrier; only the price, customer service, financial stability, rating method, and ancillary perks vary. This guide walks through each plan letter, the federal restriction on Plans C and F for beneficiaries newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020, the High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G variants, the Plan K and Plan L cost-sharing plans, the Georgia carrier landscape, and how to choose the right plan letter for your healthcare usage and financial situation.
What Medigap Standardization Is
Medigap standardization is the federal framework that gives every plan letter a uniform benefits package, so beneficiaries can compare plans by letter (benefit comparison) and then compare carriers by price (premium comparison) without hidden coverage differences.
Standardization rests on:
- Federal Medigap standardization, which created the letter-designated plan framework. Before standardization, Medigap plans varied widely with hidden differences in coverage, making consumer comparison nearly impossible.
- Federal Medigap regulations, which define each plan letter's benefits with precision. Carriers cannot deviate from federally defined benefits.
- Federal restriction, which limited Plan C and Plan F to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- NAIC model regulation for Medigap, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners model framework adopted by states.
For Georgia eldercare specifically, plan letter selection is the second most consequential Medigap decision (after the decision to choose Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage). Plan letter determines the benefits the beneficiary gets for the rest of their life on Medigap; carrier selection determines the price. Getting plan letter selection right at the start of Medigap enrollment, usually during the six-month Medigap OEP, can save thousands of dollars over decades and avoid coverage gaps.
Why Medigap Plan Comparison Matters in Georgia
Plan comparison matters in Georgia because:
Standardization simplifies comparison BUT requires plan-letter literacy. Standardization makes carrier comparison fair, but beneficiaries still need to understand which plan letter fits their healthcare usage and financial situation. A beneficiary who picks Plan A because it has the lowest premium will pay substantially more over time than one who picks Plan G if they have routine healthcare usage.
A competitive Georgia marketplace. Many carriers compete for every plan letter in Georgia. The same Plan G can have very different premiums across carriers in the Atlanta metro area. Plan-letter-first comparison enables fair price comparison.
Plan G has become the post-2020 standard. Since Plan F was restricted for newly eligible beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2020, Plan G has emerged as the most popular comprehensive Medigap plan in Georgia. Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
Plan N is the cost-conscious alternative. Plan N has lower premiums than Plan G but adds a modest office visit copay and an emergency room copay (unless admitted). For beneficiaries who don't visit the doctor frequently, Plan N can be cheaper overall than Plan G even after copays.
Plans K and L offer cost-sharing with OOP limits. Plans K and L pay 50% and 75% of most benefits respectively, with annually-indexed federal out-of-pocket limits. Best for healthy beneficiaries comfortable with higher upfront costs.
High-Deductible Plan G is rising in popularity. Same benefits as Plan G but with an annually-indexed federal deductible (consult the current CMS Medigap rate tables for the exact amount). Very low premium. Best for healthy beneficiaries who view Medigap primarily as catastrophic protection.
Pre-2020 vs. post-2020 timing matters. Beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can still purchase Plan C or Plan F. Post-2020 eligible beneficiaries cannot. This timing distinction affects available plan letters.
For Georgia eldercare specifically:
- A large statewide Medicare beneficiary population, with a meaningful share on Original Medicare plus Medigap
- All 10 plan letters available statewide
- Plan G is the most popular plan letter for post-2020 beneficiaries
- Plan N is widely sold for cost-conscious beneficiaries
- GeorgiaCares SHIP provides free plan comparison counseling
- The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance handles Medigap complaints
Federal Legal Framework
The Medigap standardization framework rests on the following federal statutory and regulatory authorities:
Federal Medigap standardization created the lettered plan system. Before standardization, Medigap plans had inconsistent benefits, making comparison nearly impossible. The letter-plan system has evolved through subsequent amendments.
Federal Medigap regulations define each plan letter's benefits with precision. Carriers cannot deviate from federally defined benefits.
Federal law prohibits the sale of Medigap policies covering the Part B deductible (Plans C and F) to beneficiaries newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Beneficiaries first eligible before 2020 can still hold or purchase Plan C and Plan F. This restriction was designed to ensure newly eligible beneficiaries have meaningful cost-sharing on outpatient services.
Federal Medigap open enrollment and guaranteed-issue rules set the parameters for the Medigap OEP, pre-existing condition limitations, and guaranteed-issue triggers outside OEP.
NAIC model regulation for Medigap. Model framework adopted by states with variations. Defines benefit specifications for each plan letter.
Georgia state insurance code. State-level Medigap regulation administered by the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance. Georgia adopts most NAIC model provisions and applies federal plan letter definitions without state-specific deviations.
The Ten Standardized Plan Letters
Plan A: Basic Coverage
Plan A is the most basic standardized Medigap plan and the only plan letter that all Medigap carriers must offer. Federal law requires every carrier selling any Medigap plan in a state to also offer Plan A.
Plan A covers:
- Part A coinsurance + 365 extra hospital days after Medicare benefits exhausted
- Part B coinsurance/copayment (typically 20% after Part B deductible)
- First 3 pints of blood
- Part A hospice coinsurance
Plan A does NOT cover:
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility (SNF) coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency
Premium: Lowest among comprehensive plans (verify current Georgia premiums with multiple carriers).
Best for: Rare scenarios. Most beneficiaries find Plan A's limited coverage insufficient.
Plan B: Plan A Plus Part A Deductible
Plan B adds Part A deductible coverage to Plan A. The Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, so this addition is meaningful for beneficiaries who anticipate hospital stays.
Plan B covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
Plan B does NOT cover:
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- SNF coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency
Premium: Modest increase over Plan A.
Best for: Beneficiaries who want hospital deductible coverage but not full comprehensive coverage.
Plan C: Comprehensive Coverage (Pre-2020 Eligible Only)
Plan C is restricted to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare BEFORE January 1, 2020 under federal law. Newly eligible beneficiaries on or after January 1, 2020 cannot purchase Plan C.
Plan C covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
- PLUS Part B deductible
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80% up to plan limits)
Plan C does NOT cover:
- Part B excess charges
Premium: Higher than Plan B.
Best for: Pre-2020 eligible beneficiaries who want comprehensive coverage with Part B deductible coverage.
Plan D: Comprehensive Without Part B Deductible
Plan D is similar to Plan C but without Part B deductible coverage. Available to all eligibility cohorts.
Plan D covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80%)
Plan D does NOT cover:
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
Premium: Similar range to Plan C without the Part B deductible coverage.
Best for: Beneficiaries wanting comprehensive coverage but willing to pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) themselves.
Plan F: Most Comprehensive (Pre-2020 Eligible Only)
Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap plan but is restricted to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare BEFORE January 1, 2020 under federal law. Plan F was historically the most-purchased Medigap plan before that restriction took effect.
Plan F covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
- PLUS Part B deductible
- PLUS Part B excess charges
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80%)
Plan F does NOT cover:
- Hearing, dental, vision (not in any standardized plan)
- Long-term custodial care
Premium: Highest among standardized plans, available only to pre-2020 eligible.
Best for: Pre-2020 eligible beneficiaries who want no Medicare cost-sharing.
High-Deductible Plan F: Same coverage as Plan F but with an annually-indexed federal deductible before benefits begin. Very low premium for healthy beneficiaries; consult the current CMS Medigap rate tables for the exact deductible amount.
Plan G: Plan F Minus Part B Deductible (Most Popular Post-2020)
Plan G is the most popular post-2020 Medigap plan in Georgia and nationally. It covers everything Plan F covers EXCEPT the Part B deductible. Beneficiaries pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) once per year and Medigap Plan G covers everything else.
Plan G covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
- PLUS Part B excess charges
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80%)
Plan G does NOT cover:
- Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
Premium: Slightly lower than Plan F at carriers that offer both.
Best for: Beneficiaries wanting comprehensive coverage with predictable cost-sharing. The Part B deductible is a small annual expense for the lower premium savings.
High-Deductible Plan G: Same coverage as Plan G but with an annually-indexed federal deductible. Very low premium for healthy beneficiaries; consult the current CMS Medigap rate tables for the exact deductible amount.
Plan K: 50% Cost-Sharing with OOP Limit
Plan K offers 50% cost-sharing on most benefits with an annually-indexed federal out-of-pocket limit. After the OOP limit is reached, Plan K pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
Plan K covers (at 50% unless noted):
- Part A coinsurance + 365 extra hospital days (100%)
- Part B coinsurance/copayment (50%)
- First 3 pints blood (50%)
- Part A hospice coinsurance (50%)
- SNF coinsurance (50%)
- Part A deductible (50%)
- Annually-indexed federal out-of-pocket limit (consult current CMS Medigap tables)
Plan K does NOT cover:
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Premium: Lower than Plan G.
Best for: Healthy beneficiaries comfortable with higher upfront costs and reassurance from the OOP cap.
Plan L: 75% Cost-Sharing with OOP Limit
Plan L is like Plan K but with 75% cost-sharing instead of 50%, and a lower annually-indexed federal OOP limit.
Plan L covers (at 75% unless noted):
- Part A coinsurance + 365 extra hospital days (100%)
- Part B coinsurance/copayment (75%)
- First 3 pints blood (75%)
- Part A hospice coinsurance (75%)
- SNF coinsurance (75%)
- Part A deductible (75%)
- Annually-indexed federal out-of-pocket limit (consult current CMS Medigap tables)
Plan L does NOT cover:
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
- Foreign travel emergency
Premium: Modestly lower than Plan G.
Best for: Beneficiaries who want some cost-sharing for premium savings but with a lower OOP cap than Plan K.
Plan M: Plan D With Half Part A Deductible
Plan M is like Plan D but with only 50% Part A deductible coverage instead of 100%.
Plan M covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS 50% of Part A deductible
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80%)
Plan M does NOT cover:
- Other 50% of Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
Premium: Slightly lower than Plan D.
Best for: Beneficiaries who want most Plan D benefits at a slightly lower premium.
Note: Plan M is not widely offered in Georgia. Many carriers don't include Plan M in their portfolios.
Plan N: Plan D With Copays
Plan N is like Plan D but with an office visit copay and an emergency room copay (unless admitted) in exchange for a lower premium. Plan N may also include Part B excess charges (carrier-dependent).
Plan N covers:
- Everything Plan A covers
- PLUS Part A deductible
- PLUS SNF coinsurance
- PLUS foreign travel emergency (80%)
- Part B coinsurance, minus the office visit copay and the ER copay
Plan N does NOT fully cover:
- Office visit copay (beneficiary pays each visit)
- Emergency room copay (beneficiary pays unless admitted)
- Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
- Part B excess charges (typically not covered, carrier-dependent)
Premium: Lower than Plan G.
Best for: Cost-conscious beneficiaries who don't visit the office frequently. For light office-visit utilization, Plan N's annual total cost can be lower than Plan G even with copays. Verify the current office visit copay and ER copay amounts on the Medigap page at Medicare.gov.
The Post-2020 Plan C and Plan F Restriction
The federal restriction barring new sales of Medigap policies that cover the Part B deductible is the most important regulatory change to Medigap in recent decades. Under that restriction:
- Beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare ON OR AFTER January 1, 2020 cannot purchase Medigap policies that cover the Part B deductible. This eliminates Plan C and Plan F for post-2020 newly eligible.
- Beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare BEFORE January 1, 2020 can still hold or purchase Plan C and Plan F. Pre-2020 eligibility includes anyone who:
- Turned 65 before January 1, 2020
- Became Medicare-eligible via disability before January 1, 2020
- Was enrolled in Part A or Part B before January 1, 2020
Practical impact: Plan G has effectively become the post-2020 Plan F equivalent minus the Part B deductible. For most beneficiaries, the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) is a small annual expense compared to the premium difference between Plan F and Plan G.
Why the restriction exists: Congress determined that first-dollar coverage for Part B (no deductible at all) led to higher Medicare program costs by removing the cost-consciousness that the Part B deductible provides. Eliminating Plan C and Plan F for post-2020 beneficiaries ensures they have at least the Part B deductible as cost-sharing.
High-Deductible Plan F and Plan G
The High-Deductible Plan F (HDF) and High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) are variants of Plan F and Plan G that include an annually-indexed federal deductible that the beneficiary must pay before Medigap benefits kick in. Consult the current CMS Medigap rate tables for the exact deductible amount.
High-Deductible Plan F:
- Same coverage as Plan F (pre-2020 eligible only)
- Annually-indexed federal deductible
- Very low premium for healthy 65-year-olds
- Once deductible met, full Plan F coverage
High-Deductible Plan G:
- Same coverage as Plan G (available to all eligibility cohorts)
- Annually-indexed federal deductible
- Very low premium for healthy 65-year-olds
- Once deductible met, full Plan G coverage
Best for: Healthy beneficiaries who view Medigap primarily as catastrophic protection and don't expect significant Medicare cost-sharing in a typical year.
Trade-off: In a high-utilization year, the beneficiary pays the full annual deductible plus standard Medicare cost-sharing up to the deductible. In a low-utilization year, the beneficiary saves the difference between the very low HDG premium and the standard Plan G premium.
Coverage Comparison Table
| Benefit | A | B | C | D | F | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance + 365 extra days | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B coinsurance/copay | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100%* |
| First 3 pints blood | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| SNF coinsurance | No | No | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A deductible | No | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% |
| Part B deductible | No | No | 100% | No | 100% | No | No | No | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | No | No | No | No | 100% | 100% | No | No | No | No |
| Foreign travel emergency | No | No | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | No | No | 80% | 80% |
| Annual OOP limit | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | No |
*Plan N requires an office visit copay and an emergency room copay (unless admitted).
Plans C and F: Restricted to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
The annually-indexed federal OOP limits for Plans K and L are published by CMS; verify the current-year amounts on the Medigap page at Medicare.gov.
Georgia Medigap Marketplace
Georgia has a competitive Medigap marketplace with many carriers offering the federally standardized plan letters. Major carriers include:
- Mutual of Omaha: Strong financial ratings (A+ AM Best), broad plan offering
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare: Largest Medigap insurer nationally, broad plan offering
- Cigna: Mid-size, competitive pricing
- Aetna (CVS Health): Competitive Plan G pricing
- Humana: Less prominent in Medigap than MA, but available
- Bankers Life: Agent-distributed, broad plan offering
- Liberty Bankers Life: Smaller carrier, competitive prices
- Manhattan Life: Community-rated, popular in some Georgia markets
- Continental Life (Continental General): Smaller carrier
- Bankers Fidelity: Mid-size, broad plan offering
- USAA: Available to military veterans and immediate family members
- Many other smaller carriers
Carrier selection matters:
- Financial strength: Check AM Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's ratings
- Rate increase history: Some carriers raise rates more aggressively than others
- Rating method: Community-rated, attained-age-rated, or issue-age-rated
- Plan portfolio: Some carriers don't offer all plan letters
- Customer service: Some carriers have better claims service than others
- Distribution model: Agent vs. direct
Same plan letter, different premiums: Premiums for the same plan letter can vary significantly across carriers and geographies. Pull current quotes from multiple carriers or work with a GeorgiaCares SHIP counselor.
Geographic considerations:
- Atlanta metro: most carrier options, generally higher premiums
- Mid-size Georgia cities (Macon, Augusta, Savannah, Columbus, Athens): moderate options, moderate premiums
- Rural Georgia (Worth County, Bulloch, Camden, Pierce, Berrien, etc.): fewer carrier options, generally lower premiums
Rating Methods
Georgia permits three rating methods for Medigap premiums:
Community-Rated (No-Age-Rated)
- Same premium for ALL enrollees regardless of age
- A 65-year-old pays the same premium as an 85-year-old
- Higher initial premium for new-65 beneficiaries
- Slower increases over time
- Premium increases only for inflation and claim experience
Attained-Age-Rated
- Premium based on CURRENT age
- Lower initial premium for new-65 beneficiaries
- Increases each year as you age, plus inflation
- Most common rating method in Georgia
- Best initial value, worst long-term cost trajectory
Issue-Age-Rated
- Premium based on age at issue (locked in)
- Locks in age at purchase
- Increases with inflation but not personal aging
- Mid-range initial premium
- Most predictable long-term cost trajectory
Strategy implications:
- For younger 65-year-olds: attained-age is cheaper initially but more expensive over time
- For longer-life-expectancy beneficiaries: issue-age or community-rated can be cheaper over time
- For older first-time enrollees (delayed Part B at 70): issue-age may be best
Plan Selection Strategy
For most healthy 65-year-olds: Plan G
Plan G is the most popular post-2020 plan because it covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible. The Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) is a small annual expense for the premium savings.
For cost-conscious beneficiaries who don't visit the office often: Plan N
Plan N's office visit copay only triggers when you visit the doctor. For beneficiaries with light office-visit utilization, the Plan N premium savings often exceed the annual copay total.
For healthy beneficiaries wanting catastrophic protection: High-Deductible Plan G
An annually-indexed federal deductible with a very low premium. Best in low-utilization years.
For beneficiaries comfortable with cost-sharing and OOP caps: Plan K or Plan L
50% or 75% cost-sharing with annually-indexed federal OOP limits. Lower premium for cost-sharing tradeoff.
For pre-2020 eligible who want comprehensive coverage: Plan F
Available only to pre-2020 eligible beneficiaries. Covers everything including the Part B deductible.
Best Practices for Medigap Plan Selection
- Understand standardization first. All Plan G policies have identical benefits. Plan-letter selection is benefit selection; carrier selection is price selection.
- Start with Plan G as your baseline. Plan G is the post-2020 standard for comprehensive coverage. Use Plan G premiums as your comparison baseline.
- Consider Plan N if you don't visit the office often. Plan N's lower premium and modest office visit copay can be cheaper overall for beneficiaries with light office-visit utilization.
- Check pre-2020 eligibility for Plan C and Plan F. If first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, Plan F may be your best comprehensive option.
- Consider High-Deductible Plan G for catastrophic protection. If you expect low utilization, HDG's low premium can be optimal.
- Get quotes from 5-10 carriers. Same plan letter has very different premiums across carriers. Shopping carrier prices is essential.
- Check carrier financial strength. AM Best, Standard & Poor's, Moody's ratings. Choose A-rated or better.
- Check carrier rate increase history. Some carriers raise rates more aggressively. Ask the agent for 5-10 year rate increase history.
- Understand rating method. Community, attained-age, or issue-age. Each has a different long-term cost trajectory.
- Don't pair Medigap with MA. Mutually exclusive products. You cannot have both.
- Don't forget standalone Part D PDP. Medigap doesn't cover prescription drugs. You need a standalone Part D PDP.
- Get GeorgiaCares SHIP counseling. Free, unbiased plan comparison counseling at 1-866-552-4464.
- Apply during Medigap OEP. Six-month federal guaranteed-issue window. The insurer cannot underwrite or deny.
- Verify carrier offers all benefits as expected. Read the policy carefully. Confirm rate guarantee, conversion options, and exclusions.
Common Issues with Plan Selection
- Picking lowest premium without checking carrier financial strength. Cheapest can be cheapest because the carrier is weak. Check ratings.
- Picking Plan A because it's cheapest. Plan A has minimal coverage. Most beneficiaries find it insufficient.
- Picking Plan F not knowing it's restricted. Post-2020 eligible cannot purchase Plan F. Pick Plan G or Plan N instead.
- Picking Plan G without checking carrier rate increase history. Plan G premiums can increase materially year over year depending on the carrier.
- Picking community-rated assuming it's always cheapest. Community-rated has a higher initial premium. Better long-term for some, not all.
- Picking Plan N without understanding Part B excess charges. Plan N typically doesn't cover Part B excess charges. Plan G does.
- Picking High-Deductible Plan G without understanding deductible mechanics. The deductible applies to Medicare cost-sharing, not premium savings.
- Picking based on advertising or agent recommendation alone. Get independent counseling from GeorgiaCares SHIP.
- Not understanding that switching plans later faces underwriting. Outside OEP or trial right, switching plans requires medical underwriting in Georgia.
- Confusing Medigap with Medicare Advantage. Medigap supplements Original Medicare. MA replaces Original Medicare. You cannot have both.
- Not budgeting for standalone Part D PDP. Medigap doesn't cover drugs. Plan for an additional monthly Part D PDP premium.
- Not understanding rating method long-term cost trajectory. Attained-age starts cheap but accelerates. Issue-age and community-rated have more stable trajectories.
- Not getting quotes from multiple carriers. Premiums can vary widely across carriers for the same plan letter.
- Not reading the policy. Read it carefully. Confirm rate guarantee, exclusions, conversion options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Federal law requires identical benefits for each plan letter across all carriers nationwide. Plan G from Mutual of Omaha covers exactly what Plan G from AARP/UnitedHealthcare covers. Carriers compete on price, customer service, financial stability, and rating method, not coverage.
Plan G covers everything Plan F covers EXCEPT the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Plan G is available to all eligibility cohorts; Plan F is restricted to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
A federal restriction eliminated first-dollar Part B coverage (Plan C and Plan F) for beneficiaries newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 to ensure cost-consciousness on outpatient services. Beneficiaries first eligible before 2020 can still purchase Plan F.
Plan K pays 50% of most benefits with an annually-indexed federal OOP limit. Plan L pays 75% of most benefits with a lower annually-indexed federal OOP limit. Plan L has a higher premium with more coverage.
GeorgiaCares SHIP at 1-866-552-4464 provides free, unbiased Medigap plan comparison counseling. The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance at 1-800-656-2298 handles Medigap complaints.
A few more common questions:
Why are Plan G premiums different across carriers? Carriers compete on price, customer service, financial stability, and rating method. Same plan letter, different premiums.
Can I still get Plan F if I'm pre-2020 eligible? Yes. Beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can still hold or purchase Plan F. Post-2020 eligible cannot.
What's Plan N's office copay? Plan N requires an office visit copay and an emergency room copay (unless admitted). Verify current amounts on the Medigap page at Medicare.gov.
Does Plan N cover Part B excess charges? Carrier-dependent and typically not. Most Plan N policies don't cover Part B excess charges. Plan G does.
What are Part B excess charges? The amount above the Medicare-approved rate that non-participating providers can charge (up to 15% above the approved rate). Plan G covers these.
How much is the Part B deductible in 2026? $283 (announced annually by CMS). Plan G beneficiaries pay this once per year.
How much is the Part A deductible in 2026? $1,736 per benefit period (announced annually by CMS).
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later? Yes, but outside Medigap OEP or trial right, you face medical underwriting in Georgia. The insurer can deny or charge higher rates based on health.
Does any Medigap plan cover prescription drugs? No. You need a standalone Part D PDP for drugs.
Does any Medigap plan cover dental or vision? No. You need standalone dental/vision insurance.
Does any Medigap plan cover long-term custodial care? No. You need long-term care insurance or self-pay.
What's the cheapest standardized plan? Plan A is the cheapest plan letter by sticker premium. But High-Deductible Plan G or Plan K can have very low premiums with more coverage.
Does Georgia have a birthday rule? No. Georgia does not have a state birthday rule. Federal Medigap OEP and trial rights are the primary guaranteed-issue pathways.
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time? No. They are mutually exclusive. You must choose one or the other.
Worked Examples
Example 1: Fulton 65 Margaret chooses Plan G
Margaret turns 65 in April 2026. Part B effective April 1. Medigap OEP April 1 to September 30. Margaret reviews all 10 plan letters with a GeorgiaCares SHIP counselor. She has Type 2 diabetes (controlled) and hypertension. The counselor explains Plan G is the post-2020 standard covering everything except the Part B deductible. Margaret gets quotes from several carriers and selects a Plan G policy at a competitive premium (attained-age, A+ AM Best). Effective April 1. Continuous prior employer coverage eliminates the pre-existing condition waiting period.
Example 2: DeKalb 67 James chooses Plan N for lower premium
James retired at 67 with employer coverage previously. Part B effective March 1 via SEP. Medigap OEP March 1 to August 31. James reviews plan options. He is generally healthy and visits the doctor about three times per year. The counselor walks James through the trade-off: Plan N carries a per-visit office copay, but its lower premium more than offsets a handful of copays per year for someone with light office-visit utilization. Comparing the annualized Plan G premium plus the $283 Part B deductible against the Plan N annualized premium plus the $283 Part B deductible plus the office copays, James finds Plan N is meaningfully cheaper and selects it.
Example 3: Worth County 66 Linda chooses Plan G for stable coverage
Linda's late husband's retiree health coverage ended. Part B effective May 1, 2026 via SEP. Medigap OEP May 1 to October 31. Linda lives in rural Worth County with limited carrier options. She gets Plan G quotes from several carriers and selects a community-rated Plan G policy for a stable long-term premium trajectory. Effective May 1. Plan G chosen for comprehensive coverage with predictable cost-sharing.
Example 4: Bibb 65 David chooses High-Deductible Plan G for low premium
David turns 65 in March 2026, Part B effective March 1. Medigap OEP March 1 to August 31. David is healthy with no chronic conditions, exercises regularly, no medications. He expects very low Medicare utilization. The counselor explains High-Deductible Plan G has an annually-indexed federal deductible (consult current CMS Medigap rate tables) but a very low premium. In a low-utilization year, HDG saves a meaningful amount; in a high-utilization year, HDG costs more because David pays the full deductible plus the premium. David selects HDG for catastrophic protection. Effective March 1.
Get Help with Medigap Plan Selection in Georgia
Medicare Information
- Medicare 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24/7
- SSA Medicare Enrollment 1-800-772-1213
Georgia SHIP, Free Medigap Counseling
- GeorgiaCares SHIP 1-866-552-4464, free, unbiased Medigap plan comparison counseling
- Georgia Senior Medicare Patrol 1-866-552-4464, report Medigap fraud
Georgia Insurance Regulation
- Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance 1-800-656-2298, Medigap complaints and licensing
Beneficiary Advocacy
- Medicare Rights Center 1-800-333-4114
- Patient Advocate Foundation 1-800-532-5274
- Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116
- 211 Georgia, community resources
Major Georgia Medigap Carriers
- Mutual of Omaha Medigap
- AARP Medigap (UnitedHealthcare)
- Cigna Medigap
- Aetna Medigap
- Humana Medigap
(Verify current carrier customer-service numbers on each carrier's Medigap page or via the Medicare Plan Finder.)
Georgia Legal Aid
- Atlanta Legal Aid 404-377-0701
- Georgia Legal Services 1-800-498-9469
Georgia Medicaid (if dually eligible)
- Georgia DCH Member Services 1-866-211-0950
The federal Medigap standardization framework defines ten plan letters with identical benefits across all carriers nationwide. Beneficiaries can compare plans by letter (benefit comparison) and then compare carriers by price (premium comparison) without worrying about hidden coverage differences. With many carriers competing in Georgia, plan-letter literacy enables fair price comparison. Plan G has emerged as the post-2020 standard, Plan N offers a cost-conscious alternative, High-Deductible Plan G provides catastrophic protection, and Plans K and L offer cost-sharing with annually-indexed federal OOP limits. Federal law restricts Plan C and Plan F to beneficiaries first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
Find personalized help choosing the right Medigap plan in Georgia at brevy.com.