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Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in New York
Medicare Supplement Plans (Medigap) in New York 2026
Original Medicare (Parts A and B) handles a lot of your medical needs, but it creates some financial gaps. You are still responsible for paying out-of-pocket costs like deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.
A Medicare Supplement insurance plan is a private policy designed to help fill these financial gaps. These plans are also called Medigap plans. They help cover your extra healthcare costs and are available from private insurance companies across the state.
New York has special state rules that make supplemental coverage work differently here than it does in most other states. For example, New York completely bans medical underwriting, meaning companies cannot consider your health history when setting your price. This law gives you excellent consumer protections, though it can result in higher baseline monthly premiums than the national average.
It helps to first look at your personal coverage needs to see which plan fits you best. You can also explore options like a Medicare Advantage plan to see how they compare.
Key New York 2026 Takeaways
Continuous Open Enrollment: New York is one of only four states that require year-round guaranteed acceptance. You can buy or switch your Medigap plan 365 days a year without a medical physical exam. The other states that offer similar continuous or annual enrollment protections are Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine.
Pure Community Rating: Insurance companies cannot base your premiums on your age, gender, or health history. A 65-year-old and an 85-year-old in the same ZIP code pay identical rates for the exact same plan.
The 63-Day Creditable Coverage Rule: You cannot be denied coverage, but New York carriers may impose a six-month waiting period for pre-existing conditions. You can avoid this wait if you replace your old creditable health coverage within 63 days of starting your new policy.
Ten Distinct Rating Regions: The New York State Department of Financial Services divides the state into ten geographic zones that determine your local pricing.
Compare Medicare plans and request a free quote today!
What is a Medicare Supplement plan in New York?
A Medigap plan functions as secondary coverage to your Original Medicare. After Medicare pays its share of a medical bill, your supplement plan steps in to pay the remaining 20% coinsurance or copayments. To understand how these pieces fit together, it helps to start with a general understanding of Medicare.
Medigap plans solve the common network restrictions found in other types of insurance. These plans feature zero network restrictions, meaning you can see any doctor or visit recognized institutions like NYU Langone, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, Mount Sinai, or Roswell Park, as long as they accept Original Medicare.
It is important to note that New York Medicare Supplement insurance plans do not include standalone prescription drug coverage. To get coverage for your medications and avoid late-enrollment penalties, you must enroll in a separate Part D prescription drug plan.
Types of Medicare Supplement Plans Offered in New York
The federal government standardizes Medicare Supplement plans, labeling them letters A through N. Every insurance company must offer the exact same basic benefits for each lettered plan, but they can charge different prices.
Federal eligibility rules completely exclude Plan F and Plan C for New York residents who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. Because of this cutoff, modern coverage focus has shifted entirely to Plans G and N. Anyone enrolled in Plan C or Plan F before December 31, 2019, is grandfathered in and can keep their plan.
According to America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), 482,719 New York beneficiaries choose Medigap coverage to protect themselves against unexpected medical expenses.
Most Popular Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans in New York
Plan G: This is highly popular because it covers 100% of your Part A and B out-of-pocket costs, except for the annual Part B deductible. It also fully shields you from Part B excess charges.
Plan N: This plan offers lower monthly premiums. In exchange, you pay small out-of-pocket copayments, such as up to $20 for certain doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient stay.
Out-of-Pocket Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
Part A Deductible and Coinsurance | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
Part B Coinsurance | Covered 100% | Covered 100% (minus small copays) |
Part B Deductible | Not Covered | Not Covered |
Part B Excess Charges | Covered 100% | Not Covered |
Doctor Visit Copay | $0 | Up to $20 |
Emergency Room Copay | $0 | Up to $50 (waived if admitted) |
2026 New York Market Disruption Alert
The Medicare landscape is experiencing shifts driven by federal changes from the Inflation Reduction Act. This includes a $2,000 out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drug costs for 2026.
These federal drug cost updates are prompting some private insurers to adjust their Medicare Advantage options. Some carriers are raising monthly premiums, reducing extra perks, or leaving certain counties entirely to absorb the cost changes.
Because of these updates, Medigap plans are becoming an increasingly attractive option for New York seniors who want stable coverage. Medigap benefits cannot be changed or reduced midyear. This stability makes shopping for Medicare insurance with an independent advisor highly valuable this season.
Which New York senior are you?
The Predictable Budgeter: You prefer a fixed monthly premium, see your doctor frequently, and do not want surprise medical invoices. Plan G is often the match for you.
The Value Seeker: You want to save money on your fixed monthly premiums and do not mind paying a small $20 copayment when you visit the doctor. Plan N is often your best fit.
The Senior Who Needs a Specialist: You require specialized care from medical centers in Manhattan or upstate. You prefer to bypass managed-care prior authorizations entirely.
New York Medicare Enrollment Periods and Switching Rules
Your initial six-month open enrollment period begins the first day of the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. You must have both Medicare Parts A and B to buy a supplemental policy.
However, New York State regulation (11 NYCRR 360.4) creates an exception by mandating continuous open enrollment. This allows New York residents to enroll in or change their Medigap policies 365 days a year. An insurance company cannot reject your application or charge you higher premiums because of your health status.
Keep in mind the pre-existing waiting period rule. Carriers can apply a six-month exclusion window for medical conditions you already have if you let your previous health coverage gap last longer than 63 days. You can learn more about these timelines in our guide to Medicare enrollment periods.
Medicare Supplement Carriers in New York
SelectQuote shops multiple recognized national insurance companies to help you compare your choices. Some recognized carriers providing coverage in New York include:
AARP/UnitedHealthcare: Holds a large market share in New York, offering stable premium history and easy-to-use digital dashboards.
EmblemHealth: A New York-centric provider with deep regional roots, offering local customer support across downstate and the New York City metro areas.
Excellus BlueCross BlueShield / Univera Healthcare: Serves as a dominant, trusted option across the Upstate, Central, and Western New York regions.
Mutual of Omaha: Recognized for streamlined, efficient, and fast claims processing systems.
Medigap Rates in New York by ZIP Code 2026
Medigap pricing varies across the country because rates track regional healthcare provider costs and local claim volumes. The organizes the state into ten distinct regions determined by the first three digits of your ZIP code:
Region 1 (New York City Proper - ZIPs 100-104, 111-114): Highest baseline premiums due to dense urban provider costs.
Region 2 (Long Island - ZIPs 110, 115-119)
Region 3 (Westchester - ZIPs 105-109)
Region 4 (Mid-Hudson - ZIPs 124-127)
Region 5 (Albany - ZIPs 120-123, 128-129)
Region 6 (Buffalo - ZIPs 140-143, 147)
Region 7 (Rochester - ZIPs 144-146)
Region 8 (Syracuse - ZIPs 130-132, 137-139, 148-149)
Region 9 (Utica - ZIPs 133-135)
Region 10 (Watertown - ZIP 136): Typically features lower baseline premiums than downstate metropolitan areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official tool to check approved Medigap rates in New York?
The primary source is the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) Portal. The state updates these monthly premium tables by region so consumers can review approved rates.
Can a New York Medigap plan deny me coverage for a pre-existing health condition?
No. Insurance companies in New York cannot deny you a policy based on your medical history. However, they can apply a six-month coverage delay for that specific condition if you have a gap in health coverage that lasts longer than 63 days.
Why are Medigap plans more expensive in New York than in neighboring states?
New York's continuous open enrollment requires insurers to accept applicants year-round regardless of health status. Without medical underwriting, the community-rated pool absorbs higher overall health risks, which raises the baseline premium for everyone.
Let SelectQuote Find Options For You Today
SelectQuote is here to simplify the Medicare enrollment process. As a trusted partner, we’ve helped millions understand their coverage options. We can help you stay current on annual changes made to your insurance. Let our licensed insurance agents review your needs, compare rates, and shop recognized insurance companies to help you find an affordable option.
SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services is a division of SelectQuote Insurance Services. © 2026 SelectQuote Senior Insurance Services. All rights reserved.
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