Medigap in one sentence

A Medicare Supplement plan — also called Medigap — is a private insurance policy that pairs with Original Medicare and helps pay the "gaps" Original Medicare leaves behind, such as deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. It is not a replacement for Medicare and it is not the same thing as Medicare Advantage. Think of it as a companion policy: Medicare pays its share first, then your Medigap plan picks up much of what would otherwise come out of your own pocket. For people in Charlotte and across North Carolina who are approaching 65, understanding how Medigap fits with the rest of Medicare is one of the most important decisions you'll make.

Why the "gaps" matter

Original Medicare covers a lot, but it does not cover everything, and — importantly — it has no annual out-of-pocket maximum on its own. That means your share of costs can add up with no ceiling. Here are some of the real 2026 gaps a Medigap plan is designed to help with:

  • The Part A hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 (and note you can have more than one benefit period in a year).
  • Hospital coinsurance of $434 per day for days 61–90 in 2026, and $868 per day for lifetime reserve days.
  • The 20% coinsurance you generally owe for most Part B services after you meet the Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026.

Because that 20% has no cap under Original Medicare alone, a single serious health event could mean a large, unpredictable bill. Medigap is meant to make those costs more predictable.

How Medigap is standardized

This is one of the most helpful features of Medigap, and it's often misunderstood. Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government and named by letters — A through N. A plan with a given letter provides the same core benefits no matter which company sells it. So a Plan G from one insurer covers the same core things as a Plan G from another insurer. What differs between companies is mainly price and customer service, not the underlying benefits. That's why comparison shopping matters so much — and why an independent agent who represents multiple carriers can be valuable.

Two commonly compared plans

  • Plan G covers essentially all of Original Medicare's gaps except the Part B deductible, which you pay yourself (that deductible is $283 in 2026).
  • Plan N pays 100% of Part B coinsurance except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't lead to an inpatient admission. Plan N may also leave you responsible for Part B "excess charges."

One note that trips people up: coverage of the Part B deductible is no longer available on Medigap plans for people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. That's why Plan G — rather than the older Plan F — is the common comparison point for people turning 65 today.

What Medigap does NOT include

Two things are important to keep in mind:

  • No prescription drug coverage. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare but does not include Part D. If you want drug coverage, you buy a separate Part D plan. Going without creditable drug coverage can trigger a lasting late-enrollment penalty, so most people who choose Medigap also enroll in a standalone Part D plan.
  • It's different from Medicare Advantage. Medigap is not an all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a separate path with its own networks, out-of-pocket maximums, and often bundled extras. You generally choose one approach or the other — you don't use a Medigap policy with a Medicare Advantage plan. Neither approach is universally "best"; the right fit depends on your doctors, your budget, your prescriptions, and how you like to receive care.

Timing: the Medigap enrollment window is a big deal

This is where an experienced agent earns their keep, because Medigap timing has real financial consequences. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is 6 months long and starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older. During this one-time window, you have guaranteed issue rights: an insurance company cannot turn you down, cannot use medical underwriting (no health questions to deny you), and cannot charge you more because of a pre-existing condition.

After that 6-month window closes, insurers generally can use medical underwriting — meaning they may deny you or charge more based on your health — unless you have a separate guaranteed issue right. In practical terms: if you're leaning toward Medigap, getting the decision right during that first window is important, because health changes later can limit your options.

How Medigap works day to day in North Carolina

With Medigap paired to Original Medicare, you can generally see any doctor or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare — there's no plan network to worry about. For someone in Charlotte who travels, splits time between states, or wants freedom to choose specialists at any Medicare-accepting facility, that flexibility is often the appeal. In exchange, you pay a monthly Medigap premium on top of your Part B premium (which is $202.90 per month in 2026 for most people, before any income-related adjustment), plus your separate Part D premium if you add drug coverage.

Is Medigap right for you?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and it would be wrong for anyone to tell you a plan type is universally "best." Medigap tends to appeal to people who value predictable costs and provider freedom and don't mind a higher monthly premium in exchange. Others prefer the lower premiums and bundled extras of Medicare Advantage and are comfortable with networks and rules. The honest work is comparing the trade-offs against your doctors, medications, budget, and travel habits — with year-stamped 2026 numbers, not guesses.

How The Jordan Insurance Agency helps

The Jordan Insurance Agency is an independent, full-time, licensed insurance agency based in Charlotte, North Carolina, serving clients throughout the state. Because we're independent, we represent multiple carriers — so when Medigap plans are standardized and companies mainly compete on price and service, we can compare Plan G, Plan N, and other options across companies rather than steer you toward a single product. Using a licensed agent costs you nothing: the carrier pays the agent, and your premium is the same whether you enroll on your own or through us.

Just as importantly, our agents are experienced, full-time, and properly licensed and certified. We complete annual AHIP and per-carrier certifications, carry errors & omissions (E&O) coverage, and — critically for Medigap — we watch the timing. We'll help you understand your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment window, weigh Medigap against Medicare Advantage honestly, and make sure you don't overlook a separate Part D plan for prescriptions. And we review your coverage every year, since plans, drug formularies, and prices change annually. If you're approaching 65 in Charlotte or anywhere in North Carolina, reach out and we'll walk through your options in plain English — no pressure, just clear guidance. For any current-year figure not shown here, you can also check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Plan availability & disclaimer

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options. The Jordan Insurance Agency is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.