Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) in Massachusetts 2026

Key Massachusetts 2026 Takeaways

• Unique Standardized Plans: Unlike most states that offer standardized federal lettered plans (A through N), Massachusetts uses three state-specific Medigap options: the Core Plan, Supplement 1, and Supplement 1A.
  

• Continuous Guaranteed Issue: You can apply for or switch a Medigap plan at any time in Massachusetts without answering medical questions or facing denials for pre-existing conditions.
  

• Carrier Value Adds: Insurance carriers in Massachusetts often include additional perks in their standard plans, such as $150 in annual fitness reimbursements and discounts on weight-loss programs.

What is a Medicare Supplement plan in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, a Medicare Supplement plan acts strictly as a secondary payer. When you receive medical care, Original Medicare pays its approved portion first. Your Medigap policy then pays its share of the remaining out-of-pocket costs, such as the 20% Part B coinsurance.

Because Massachusetts regulates its own Medigap market, all policies sold in the state must include specific state-mandated benefits that federal plans in other states do not require. For example, Massachusetts Medigap plans must cover up to 60 days of inpatient mental health care per calendar year, as well as preventive screenings such as annual pap tests and mammograms.

While Massachusetts Medigap plans cover hospital and medical gaps, they do not include prescription drug benefits. To cover your medications, you can pair your Medigap policy with a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. You can explore a broader overview of Medicare coverage options to see how these pieces work together.

Types of Medicare Supplement Plans Offered in Massachusetts

The federal government allows three states to standardize their Medigap plans differently from the rest of the country, and Massachusetts is one of those waiver states. Instead of the traditional lettered options like Plan G or Plan N available in most states, Massachusetts residents choose from three distinct choices.

Because these plans are standardized by state law, the core medical benefits for a specific plan option are identical regardless of which insurance company sells it. You can learn more about how standard Medicare Supplement plans work across different states.

Important Note: The Supplement 1 Plan (which covers the Part B deductible) is closed to individuals who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible for Medicare before that date, you are grandfathered in and may keep or apply for Supplement 1.

Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in Massachusetts

For Massachusetts residents enrolling in Medicare today, there are two primary options:

• Supplement 1A: This is the most comprehensive plan available to new Medicare enrollees. It covers 100% of the gaps left by Original Medicare, including the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible per benefit period in 2026. The only gap it does not cover is the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Once you pay that deductible out of pocket, your covered Part B medical services are fully paid for the rest of the year.
  

• Core Plan: This plan offers lower monthly premiums than Supplement 1A, in exchange for higher out-of-pocket cost sharing. While it covers your Part A and Part B coinsurance, you must pay both the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) and the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026) out of pocket.
  

Historical data from America's Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) showed that 346,222 Massachusetts beneficiaries were enrolled in Medigap plans in 2021, underscoring the state's strong reliance on supplemental coverage.

Which Massachusetts senior are you?

Choosing the right Medigap plan depends on your healthcare needs and personal budget. Here are three common senior profiles:

• The Budget-Conscious Senior: You prefer lower monthly premiums and have savings set aside for unexpected health needs. You are comfortable paying the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) if you are hospitalized. The Core Plan is often a practical fit for this approach.
  

• The Senior Seeking Predictability: You prefer predictable healthcare expenses and want to avoid unexpected hospital costs. Supplement 1A is ideal because once you pay the $283 Part B deductible, your covered hospital and medical bills are fully covered.
  

• The Value-Seeking Senior: You want to maximize additional benefit perks. Because regional insurance carriers compete for enrollees, many seniors choose their Supplement 1A plan based on carrier extras such as fitness reimbursements, vision discounts, or hearing aid allowances.

Massachusetts Continuous Guaranteed Issue

In many states, rising premiums can leave policyholders stuck in expensive plans unless they can pass a medical health review. Massachusetts seniors have greater flexibility thanks to the state's continuous guaranteed Issue rights.

Here is how switching Medigap plans works in Massachusetts:

• Year-Round Freedom: You do not have to wait for your birthday or a specific annual enrollment window. You can apply for or switch your Medigap plan at any time during the year.
  

• No Medical Underwriting: Insurance carriers cannot ask health questions or adjust your rate based on pre-existing medical conditions when you switch.
  

• Any Plan, Any Carrier: You can switch to any available Medigap plan (Core or 1A) with any licensed insurance carrier in the state. This allows you to change carriers if your current plan raises its rates.
  
  

Medicare Supplement Carriers in Massachusetts

While national companies dominate the market in many states, Massachusetts is heavily served by trusted regional nonprofit health plans. SelectQuote shops rates and benefits across recognized carriers in the state, including:

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (Medex®)

• Tufts Health Plan (Medicare Preferred)

• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care

• Health New England

• Fallon Health
  
  

Because standard medical benefits for Core and Supplement 1A plans are set by state law, comparing carriers comes down to pricing and extra benefits. For example, plans from Tufts and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts often include up to $150 in annual reimbursements for health clubs or weight-loss programs, as well as discounts on eyewear and hearing aids.

Evaluating different carrier perks and monthly rates can take time. SelectQuote serves as an independent marketplace to help you compare these extra benefits alongside monthly premiums. Our licensed agents help simplify the process of shopping for Medicare insurance so you can find a plan that fits your lifestyle.

Medigap Rates in Massachusetts by ZIP Code 2026

Massachusetts law requires community rating, meaning an insurance carrier must charge everyone in the same geographic region the same baseline premium regardless of age or gender.

However, baseline costs vary by location. Running a Medigap price comparison by ZIP code shows clear regional trends across Massachusetts:

• Greater Boston Area (Boston, Cambridge, Newton): This densely populated region features major medical centers like Mass General Brigham. Market competition among carriers in these ZIP codes helps keep pricing competitive for local seniors.
  

• Central and Western Mass (Worcester, Springfield): Combining urban centers with rural areas, healthcare in this region relies on local systems like Baystate Health. Regional carriers like Health New England adjust rates according to local care costs.
  

• The Cape and Islands (Barnstable, Nantucket): Regional healthcare access and seasonal population changes influence pricing dynamics here, making local ZIP code rate checks helpful.