Understanding Medigap Plan B (2026): Coverage, What's Not Covered, and Costs

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Understanding Medicare Supplement Plan B

Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, sometimes referred to as Medigap, help cover out-of-pocket costs that are not covered by Original Medicare (Medicare Parts A and B). Medicare Supplement Plan B is similar in coverage to Medicare Supplement Plan A; however, Plan B covers your Medicare Part A deductible and offers additional hospitalization coverage.

What does Medicare Supplement Plan B cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan B covers some of the out-of-pocket costs left by Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Supplement Plan B has many of the same features as Medicare Supplement Plan A; however, it adds additional hospitalization coverage and also pays your Original Medicare Part A deductible.

Covered

Hospital Expenses: Medicare Supplement Plan B pays your Original Medicare Part A deductible AND Original Medicare Part A coinsurance, plus it provides coverage for 365 additional days once your Original Medicare benefits end.

Medical Expenses: Medicare Supplement Plan B pays your Part B preventive care coinsurance (which is generally 20% of Original Medicare-approved expenses) as well as copayments and coinsurance for any hospital outpatient services you receive.

Part A Deductible: The Medicare Part A deductible for 2026 is $1,736. This is the amount you have to pay before your Original Medicare coverage kicks in.

Transfusions: Medicare Supplement Plan B pays for the first three pints of blood you receive (maximum of three pints per year).

Hospice Care: If this type of care is needed, Medicare Supplement Plan B will cover your Part A coinsurance or copayment.

Not Covered

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance: Skilled Nursing Facility coinsurance is an amount you may be required to pay as your share of the cost for services after you pay any deductibles.

Part B Deductible: The Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283. After the deductible is met, you pay 20% of the Original Medicare-approved amount (this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid in Original Medicare) for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment.¹

Part B Excess Charges: Providers who don’t accept Medicare assignments may charge up to 15% more than what Original Medicare is willing to pay, known as Part B excess charges. Medicare assignment is the Medicare-approved cost for a particular medical service. Medicare assignment is accepted by Medicare-approved providers.

Foreign Travel Medical Emergencies: In most cases, Medicare plans won’t pay for health care or supplies you get outside of the U.S.

Prescription Drugs: Medicare Supplement Plan B does not cover prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to cover prescription drug costs.

Who can benefit from this type of supplement plan?

Medicare Supplement Plan B helps cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare. Whether Medicare Supplement Plan B is right for you will depend on your unique circumstances and coverage needs.

Advantages of Medicare Supplement Plan B

Fills the gap for basic costs not covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B, such as copayments and coinsurance
Pays your Original Medicare Part A deductible
Provides more hospitalization coverage than Medicare Supplement Plan A

Disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan B

Has the potential for higher out-of-pocket costs if the need for the uncovered categories occurs

The Cost of Medicare Supplement Plan B

Monthly premiums are set by the private insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans and are based on location, age, health status, gender, and various other factors. Depending on these factors, insurance companies may charge different premiums for the same Medicare Supplement Plan B.

How Pricing Works For This Plan

Pricing for Medicare Supplement Plan B varies by company. Medigap policies can be priced in three ways: community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated.

Community-Rated: Generally, the same monthly premium is charged to everyone who has the Medigap plan, regardless of age. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Issue-Age-Rated: The premium is based on the age you were when you bought the Medigap plan. Premiums are lowered for people who buy at a younger age and won’t change when you get older. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Attained-Age-Rated: The premium is based on your current age, increasing your premium as you get older. Premiums are lower when you are younger, but continually increase as you age. Premiums may also increase because of inflation or other factors.²

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans

When You’re First Eligible: The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is when you’re first eligible. You are eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement policy (Medigap) on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. This marks the beginning of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for six months.

You must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. During this period, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of any health problems. You will generally see better prices and more choices among Medigap policies during this period.1

Outside Open Enrollment: While it’s often better to get coverage when you’re first eligible, you can still apply for Medigap coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period. However, if you apply for coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period, there’s no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a policy if you don’t meet the medical underwriting requirements.

FAQs About Medicare Supplement Plan B

Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan C with answers to frequently asked questions.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan B the same as Medicare Part B?

Medicare Supplement Plan B is not the same as Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B is the medical insurance portion of Original Medicare. Medicare Supplement Plan B is a supplemental plan that helps fill the gap for basic costs not covered by original Medicare Parts A and B.

How can I lower the costs of my Medigap Plan B?

While Medicare Supplement plans are standardized (meaning all Plan B plans offer the same benefits), the prices can be different between insurance companies and are determined by several factors.

Do Medigap plans vary by state?

Medigap plans are standardized, meaning they offer the same benefits across most of the states, except for Wisconsin Medicare Supplement Plans, Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans, and Massachusetts Supplement Plans.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover pre-existing conditions?

While insurance companies can’t make you wait for your coverage to start, they may make you wait for coverage for a pre-existing condition. Coverage for pre-existing conditions can be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within six months before the coverage starts under the Medicare Supplement plan.

After the six-month period, the Medicare Supplement plan will cover the condition that was previously excluded. However, it is possible to avoid or shorten the waiting period for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medicare Supplement plan during your Medigap open enrollment period to replace the “creditable coverage” Medigap plan.³

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans

Explore the different Medicare Supplement plans below.

Sources:

¹https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs
²https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/costs
³https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

Find the Right Medicare Supplement Plan For You With SelectQuote

It can be hard to determine what Medicare plan is best for you, your healthcare needs, and your budget. At SelectQuote, we’ll take the time to learn about your specific needs to shop and compare Medicare Supplement plans that may be available in your area. The service is free and there’s no obligation to enroll.