Comparing Medigap And Medicare Advantage (2027)

If you're comparing Medicare plans for seniors for 2027, there are really two paths: Original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and a Part D drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan that bundles coverage together. No single Medicare plan covers everything, but the right one can cover most of what matters to you. This side-by-side guide compares the Medigap plan letters, shows how Medigap stacks up against Medicare Advantage, and explains how to see which plans are available in your area during Open Enrollment, which runs October 15 to December 7.

The Two Paths, Side by Side

Question	Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D	Medicare Advantage (Part C)
Which doctors can I see?	Any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare. No referrals needed.	Usually a plan network (HMO or PPO). Out-of-network care may cost more or not be covered.
Monthly premiums	Part B premium, plus a Medigap premium and a Part D premium.	Part B premium, plus the plan's premium, which can be low or $0 in many areas.
Costs when you get care	Low and predictable with fuller plans such as Plan G.	Copays and coinsurance as you use care, up to the plan's yearly out-of-pocket limit.
Yearly out-of-pocket cap	Original Medicare has none; Medigap fills most gaps. Plans K and L have their own caps.	Required. In 2026 the in-network limit could be as high as $10,150, though many plans set it lower.
Prescription drugs	Separate Part D plan.	Usually included.
Dental, vision, hearing	Not covered by Medigap; you'd buy separate coverage.	Often included as extra benefits, with limits.
Prior authorization	Rarely required for Medicare-covered services.	Often required for certain services.
Travel	Coverage works anywhere in the U.S.; several Medigap plans include foreign travel emergency coverage.	Mostly limited to the plan's service area, except emergencies.

In short: Medigap usually costs more each month but makes your bills predictable and lets you see any Medicare provider. Medicare Advantage usually costs less each month and adds extras, but uses networks and charges as you go, up to a cap.

Medicare Supplement Plans Side by Side

Medigap plans are standardized by letter, so a Plan G from one insurance company has the same benefits as a Plan G from another. Only the price, customer service, and how premiums rise over time differ. (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.)

Benefit	A	B	D	G	K	L	M	N	C*	F*
Part A hospital coinsurance and extra days	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Part A deductible	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	50%	75%	50%	Yes	Yes	Yes
Part B deductible	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Part B coinsurance (20%)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	50%	75%	Yes	Yes**	Yes	Yes
Part B excess charges	No	No	No	Yes	No	No	No	No	No	Yes
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance	No	No	Yes	Yes	50%	75%	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Blood (first 3 pints) and hospice coinsurance	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	50%	75%	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Foreign travel emergency	No	No	80%	80%	No	No	80%	80%	80%	80%
Yearly out-of-pocket limit	None	None	None	None	$8,000 (2026)	$4,000 (2026)	None	None	None	None

*Plans C and F are available only to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. **Plan N may charge copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't lead to admission.

What Each Popular Plan Is Best For

Plan G: the most complete plan available to people new to Medicare. After you pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), it covers nearly all Medicare-approved costs, including excess charges. A high-deductible version is sold in some states, with a $2,950 deductible in 2026 and a lower premium.
Plan N: similar to Plan G but with a lower premium, in exchange for small office and ER copays and no coverage for excess charges. A good fit if you see doctors who accept Medicare's approved amount.
Plans K and L: lower premiums with cost-sharing (50% or 75%) until you reach a yearly cap of $8,000 (K) or $4,000 (L) in 2026, after which they pay 100% for the rest of the year.
Plan F: covers everything Plan G does plus the Part B deductible, but only people eligible for Medicare before 2020 can buy it, and premiums are often higher.
Plans A, B, D, and M: more basic options that leave more of the cost sharing to you.

What No Medigap Plan Covers

Prescription drugs, which need a separate Part D plan.
Routine dental, vision, and hearing aids.
Long-term custodial care in a nursing home.
Private-duty nursing.

That's why people asking "what is the best Medicare plan that covers everything for seniors" often end up comparing Medigap plus stand-alone dental and vision coverage against a Medicare Advantage plan with those extras built in.

Comparing Medicare Advantage Plans for 2027

There's no single "top 3" Medicare Advantage plan for everyone, because plans, networks, and prices vary by county. When you compare Medicare Advantage plans available in your area, look at:

The network: are your doctors, specialists, and hospitals in it?
The yearly out-of-pocket maximum: lower limits protect you in a bad health year.
Drug coverage: check that your prescriptions are on the formulary and what tier they're on.
Copays for the care you use most: specialist visits, hospital stays, imaging, and therapy.
Extra benefits: dental, vision, and hearing allowances, and their limits.
Prior authorization rules for services you expect to need.
Star ratings: Medicare's 1-to-5-star quality ratings for each plan.

For the 2027 changes plans must follow, see our guide to Medicare Advantage rule changes in 2027. For a look at how the largest insurers compare, see Humana vs. UnitedHealthcare vs. Aetna Medicare plans.

How to See Which Plans Are Available in Your Area

Medicare's Plan Finder on Medicare.gov lists the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in your ZIP code, with costs and star ratings. You can enter your prescriptions to compare drug costs.
Medigap prices vary by state and ZIP code. Ask insurers how they price premiums: by your age when you buy (issue-age), your current age (attained-age), or the same for everyone (community-rated). Attained-age premiums tend to rise as you get older.
Free, unbiased help is available from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.

When You Can Enroll or Switch

Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 to December 7): join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan. Changes take effect January 1.
Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (January 1 to March 31): if you're in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to another one or return to Original Medicare.
Medigap Open Enrollment: your one-time six-month window starts the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, insurers can't deny you or charge more for health conditions.
Outside that window, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting, so switching from Medicare Advantage back to Medigap later isn't guaranteed. Some states offer extra protections, and special guaranteed-issue rights apply in certain situations, such as if your plan leaves your area.

If you're turning 65 soon, see Medicare eligibility requirements and what to know before applying for Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

How to Choose the Right Plan for 2027

List your doctors and prescriptions. They narrow your options faster than anything else.
Think about your health and budget. Frequent care and a wish for predictable bills point toward Medigap; low premiums and built-in extras point toward Medicare Advantage.
Consider where you'll be. If you travel or split time between states, Original Medicare with Medigap is usually easier.
Compare total yearly cost, not just premiums: premiums plus likely copays, deductibles, and drug costs.
Check your timing so you don't lose guaranteed-issue rights for Medigap.

For more detail, see our guides to choosing a Medicare Supplement plan and Medicare plans for seniors over 70.

The Bottom Line

Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, so comparing them side by side is mostly about which letter fits your needs and which insurer offers the best price in your state. Plan G is the fullest option for new enrollees, Plan N trades small copays for a lower premium, and Plans K and L cap your costs at a lower premium. If you'd rather have lower premiums and extras like dental and vision, compare Medicare Advantage plans in your area before December 7.

This article is general information and isn't affiliated with Medicare or any insurance company, and it isn't a recommendation of any specific plan. Amounts shown are for 2026; 2027 amounts will be published by CMS. Confirm details with Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.