2026 Medigap Plan D: Coverage, Costs & Comparisons

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Understanding Medicare Supplement Plan D

Medicare Supplement Plan D (sometimes referred to as Medigap Plan D) is one of the eight standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance plans available for purchase in most states. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own standardized Medigap plans. Medicare Plan D is designed to work alongside Original Medicare Parts A and B to cover some of Original Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs, such as copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.

What does Medicare Supplement Plan D cover in 2026?

Medicare Supplement plan coverage varies by plan type. Learn more about what Medicare Supplement Plan D covers below.

Covered

Hospital Expenses: Pays 100% of the Original Medicare Part A hospital expenses.

Medical Expenses: Pays Original Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment (20% of Medicare-approved expenses).

Transfusions: Pays for the first three pints of blood you receive (maximum of three per year).

Hospice Care: Pays Original Medicare Part A coinsurance or copayment.

Skilled Nursing: Pays for facility care coinsurance.

Foreign Travel Medical Emergencies: Pays travel-abroad medical emergency expenses (80% of approved costs up to plan limits).

Additional Hospitalization Expenses: Pays Original Medicare Part A deductible.

Not Covered

Part B Deductible: The Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283. After the deductible is met, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (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.

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

Advantages of Medicare Supplement Plan D

Monthly premiums may potentially be less than other available Medicare Supplement Plans
Offers more coverage than Plans A and B

Disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan D

Plan D offers more coverage than Plans A and B, but not as much as Plans C and F
Does not cover the Original Medicare Part B deductible
Does not cover Part B excess charges (physician charges that could be up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount)

How much does Medicare Supplement Plan D cost?

Monthly premiums are set by the private insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans and are based on factors like 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 D.

How Pricing Works For This Plan

Pricing for Medicare Supplement Plan D 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.

To enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan, 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.

Outside Open Enrollment: While it’s often better to get coverage when you’re first eligible, you can still apply for Medigap insurance 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 D

Below are answers to common questions about Medicare Supplement Plan D:

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

Medicare Supplement Plan D is not the same as Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D, also referred to as Medicare Prescription Drug Plans, helps cover the cost of prescription medications.

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

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.

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

Although Medigap plans are standardized, costs vary widely between companies. Shopping around can help you find a plan with a price that works for your budget.

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans

With the number of Medicare Supplement plans available, it’s hard to know which one may be right for your needs. 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.