Searching Medicare plans by state? Start with the part that surprises people: Original Medicare doesn't change when you cross a state line. Parts A and B are a federal program, with the same benefits, costs, and rules in all 50 states. What actually varies is the private layer you add on top: Medicare Advantage plans, Part D drug plans, and Medigap. This guide shows you exactly what changes by state, then sends you straight to your state's full Medicare guide.

In This Guide

What's the Same Everywhere

Original Medicare is federal law. It does not vary by state. Get that straight first and the rest is simple.

The costs are national figures. In 2026 the standard Part B premium is $202.90 a month, the Part B deductible is $283, and the Part A hospital deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Those Part B and Part A figures are identical whether you live in Texas or Vermont.

The deadlines are national too. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday. Fall Open Enrollment runs October 15 to December 7 every year, in every state. Moving to a new state does not reset or change these dates.

So if you have Original Medicare and nothing else, your coverage travels with you. Any doctor in the country who accepts Medicare treats you the same.

What Actually Varies by State

The variation is in the private plans you add on top. Four things change by where you live.

Medicare Advantage plans and networks. Advantage plans are sold and approved county by county. The plans available in your county, and the doctors and hospitals in their networks, are local. A plan that's great one county over may not be sold where you live.

Part D drug plans. Part D is sold by private insurers, so the plans, premiums, and covered-drug lists you can choose from vary by region. The 2026 Part D national base premium is $38.99 a month, but what you actually pay depends on the plan you pick. Compare plans against your own medication list.

Medigap standardization. Medigap (Medicare Supplement) is standardized. In most states it's sold as lettered plans A through N, where every Plan G is the same benefits no matter the insurer. But Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their plans their own way. If you live in one of those three, the lettered-plan comparisons you read elsewhere don't apply.

Medigap switching rights. This is the biggest state-to-state difference for a Medigap buyer. Federally, you get one guaranteed window to buy any Medigap plan without medical underwriting: the 6 months after you enroll in Part B at 65. After that, insurers in most states can turn you down or charge more based on your health. But a growing group of states have added annual switching rights on top, often called "birthday rules." States including California, Nevada, Idaho, Illinois, Maryland, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Delaware, Indiana, Virginia, and Washington now let you change Medigap plans each year without underwriting, though the exact window and which plans you can switch to differ by state. If your state isn't on that list, check with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before you assume you can switch.

Every state also runs a free SHIP that gives one-on-one Medicare counseling at no cost. Your state's guide below names yours.

Find Your State

Don't try to learn all 50. Learn yours. Pick your state for a full Medicare guide: what Advantage and Part D plans to compare, your state's Medigap rules, and where to get free local help.

Find Your State's Medicare Guide

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All 50 states

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Medicare vary by state?

Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not. The benefits, premiums, deductibles, and enrollment deadlines are federal and the same in all 50 states. What varies is the private layer you add on top: Medicare Advantage plans, Part D drug plans, and Medigap rules.

Is Medicare the same in every state?

Original Medicare is. If you keep Parts A and B and see any doctor who accepts Medicare, your coverage is identical state to state, and it travels with you when you move. Only the private plans (Advantage, Part D, Medigap) change by location.

Do Medicare Advantage plans differ by state?

Yes. Advantage plans are approved and sold county by county, so the plans and provider networks available to you depend on where you live. Two neighbors in different counties can have different options.

Do Medigap rules differ by state?

Yes. Most states use the standard lettered plans A through N, but Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own frameworks. And a number of states, including California, Nevada, Idaho, and others, add annual "birthday rule" rights that let you switch plans without medical underwriting.

How do I find the plans available where I live?

Open your state's guide from the directory above. It walks through the Advantage and Part D plans to compare, your state's Medigap rules, and your free local SHIP counseling program.

Learn More

MedicareMedigap (Medicare Supplement): How the Lettered Plans WorkMedigap (Medicare Supplement) explained: how the standardized A-N plans work, Plan G vs Plan N, closed C and F plans, and the 6-month guaranteed-issue window. MedicareOriginal Medicare vs. Medicare AdvantageCompare original Medicare vs Medicare Advantage on cost, networks, the $9,250 cap, and switching back. A neutral 2026 side-by-side to help you choose. MedicareMedicare Enrollment Periods and DeadlinesWhen to sign up for Medicare without a lifelong penalty: the 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, working past 65, the GEP, and what each late penalty costs. MedicareMedicare Part D Drug CoverageMedicare Part D in 2026: a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap, no donut hole, three benefit phases, the $615 deductible, premiums, the late penalty, and Extra Help. MedicareWhat Is Medicare? The Full ExplainerWhat is Medicare? A plain guide to Parts A, B, C, and D, who qualifies, 2026 costs, when to enroll, and what it doesn't cover, with help-paying options.
Your next step Not sure which plan fits your state and your budget? Brevy's care navigator can help you compare your options and find free local Medicare counseling.

Find personalized help understanding your Medicare choices at brevy.com.

The information on Brevy.com is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional legal, financial, or medical advice. Rules vary by state and program and change frequently. Always verify with the relevant agency or a qualified professional. Brevy is not a law firm, financial advisor, or healthcare provider.

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Brevy Care Team

Expert eldercare guidance from Brevy's team of healthcare professionals and researchers.