Plan G at a glance
More predictable Medicare cost sharing
Plan G leaves the annual Part B deductible to you, then covers Part B excess charges and includes foreign travel emergency coverage up to plan limits.
Medigap coverage
Compare Medicare Supplement plans.
Compare California Medicare Supplement plans and Medigap coverage by plan letter, premium, enrollment timing, provider access, and California switching rights.
Featured Medicare Supplement carriers
How Medigap works
Medicare Supplement insurance works with Original Medicare.
A Medigap policy does not replace Medicare. Original Medicare pays first, then the policy helps with certain deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments according to its standardized plan letter.
California Medigap Birthday Rule guide →
01Original MedicarePart A and Part B pay their share first.
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02Medigap policyHelps cover eligible gaps based on the plan letter.
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03Separate Part DAdd a standalone drug plan if prescription coverage is needed.
What stays consistent
The letter defines benefits. The carrier defines the price and service.
- AStandardized benefits
A Plan G from one insurer has the same standardized medical benefits as Plan G from another insurer.
- BDifferent premiums
Premiums, discounts, rate history, and household eligibility can differ by company.
- CBroad provider access
You generally can see providers nationwide who accept Medicare; there is no private plan medical network.
- DSeparate drug coverage
Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage.
Popular plan letters
Compare how Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible G share costs.
This focused chart compares three commonly reviewed options. It is not a complete list of every Medigap plan, and availability and premiums vary by insurer and location.
Plan N at a glance
Lower premiums with some cost sharing
Plan N leaves the annual Part B deductible to you and can include office and emergency-room copays. It does not cover Part B excess charges.
High-Deductible G at a glance
Lower premium approach with a larger deductible
You pay Medicare-covered costs until the $2,950 2026 plan deductible is met. After that, Plan G benefits apply, including Part B excess charges.
| Compare | Plan GMore predictable cost sharing | Plan NSome member cost sharing | High-Deductible GLower premium approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| How benefits begin | Plan benefits apply after applicable Medicare deductibles. | Plan benefits apply after applicable deductibles, with certain office and emergency-room copays. | You pay Medicare-covered costs until the plan deductible is met, then Plan G benefits apply. |
| 2026 plan deductible | No separate high-deductible amount. | No separate high-deductible amount. | $2,950 |
| Part B deductible | Not covered. | Not covered. | Counts toward the high deductible. |
| Part B excess charges | Covered. | Not covered. | Covered after the plan deductible. |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80%, up to plan limits. | 80%, up to plan limits. | 80% after the plan deductible, up to plan limits. |
All three options leave the annual Part B deductible to the member. Plan N can also require copays for some office and emergency-room visits.
Common Medigap decisions
Compare the costs. Check your switching rights.
Plan G vs. Plan N in California: how should I compare?
Both leave the Part B deductible to you. Plan G covers Part B excess charges; Plan N does not and can have copays for some office and emergency-room visits. Compare the premium difference with those possible costs, not just the monthly price.
Illustration, not a quote: if Plan N costs $30 less per month, that is $360 less in annual premiums. Eight office copays of $20 would use $160 of that difference. This excludes the Part B deductible, emergency-room copays, excess charges, and other costs; your actual use and premiums will differ.
Check official Medigap benefitsWhat affects Medicare Supplement costs and rate increases?
Compare quotes for the same plan letter and effective date. Your location, insurer, rating method, and applicable discounts can affect the price. Ask when discounts end and how premiums can change over time. A low starting premium is not a guarantee of future savings.
Understand Medigap pricingCan I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap?
Leaving Medicare Advantage and qualifying to buy Medigap are separate decisions. Confirm both your Medicare election period and any Medigap guaranteed-issue or trial right before changing coverage. Fall enrollment alone does not guarantee Medigap acceptance. Also review whether you need a separate Part D plan.
Compare Medicare coverage pathsWhen can I buy Medigap without medical underwriting?
Your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period, certain guaranteed-issue situations, and California birthday-rule rights may protect you from medical underwriting. Each has its own requirements. Outside a protected situation, an insurer may consider your health when deciding whether to offer coverage.
Review California Medigap switching rightsHow do I choose a Medicare Supplement company?
Compare the same standardized plan letter across insurers, then review premiums, discount eligibility and duration, service, and any separately described extras. Confirm which benefits are standardized and which are carrier-specific. Choose based on your needs rather than a universal best-company ranking.
Compare carrier guides2026 carrier materials
Review Medicare Supplement plans by carrier.
Open each carrier guide to review available plan letters, California consumer materials, and source-linked 2026 information.
2026 Medicare Supplement guide
Blue Shield
Compare 2026 Blue Shield Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in California, including Plan G, Plan G Extra, Plan N, and Plan…
View carrier guide
2026 Medicare Supplement guide
UnitedHealthcare
Compare 2026 AARP UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in California, including UHC Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F. AARP…
View carrier guide
2026 Medicare Supplement guide
Anthem
Compare 2026 Anthem Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans in California, including Plan G, Plan N, Plan F, and Innovative F.
View carrier guide
2026 Medicare Supplement guide
Humana
Review 2026 Humana Medigap options including Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G, along with California enrollment rights and…
View carrier guideCarrier availability, premiums, discounts, underwriting, and eligibility vary. Request a personalized comparison before applying.
Enrollment timing matters
Your first Medigap window is usually the most flexible.
Your one-time federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months, beginning the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this window, an insurer cannot use medical underwriting to deny a policy it sells in your state.
Review federal Medigap timingFederal age-65 enrollment window
Medigap Initial Enrollment Calculator
Enter your date of birth and the Medicare Part B effective date shown on your card. The estimate begins with the first month both requirements are met.
Your estimated window
Starts
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Ends
This educational tool estimates the one-time federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period at age 65 or older. It does not determine under-65 state rights, guaranteed-issue rights, underwriting, or California birthday-rule eligibility.
Official resources
Compare benefits and California consumer guidance.
Personal Medicare guidance
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- Part D and enrollment questions
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Skyline Benefit provides independent help comparing Medicare Supplement plan letters, carrier premiums, enrollment timing, household discounts, and California switching rights.
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FAQ
Frequently asked Medicare questions
Browse all Medicare FAQsIs a Medicare Supplement the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. A Supplement works with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage is a private plan that provides your Medicare benefits through that plan.
Can I apply later?
You may be able to apply later, but medical underwriting can apply outside certain protected enrollment windows.
Do Supplements include drug coverage?
Generally no. Most people who choose a Supplement also review a standalone Part D plan.
What is California's Medigap birthday rule?
Current California Medigap policyholders generally have a 60-day period beginning on their birthday to move to a policy with equal or fewer benefits without medical screening or a new waiting period.
How can a California Medigap broker help?
A licensed independent broker can compare standardized plan letters across represented carriers, current premiums, available household discounts, enrollment protections, underwriting questions, and carrier service. The same plan letter generally has standardized core benefits, but pricing and carrier terms can differ.
Medicare disclosure
Skyline Benefit is an independent insurance agency and is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 11 organizations which offer 58 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.