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Learn about Medicare Supplement Plan L with SelectQuote
Let SelectQuote’s licensed insurance agents help answer your questions about Medicare Supplement plans.
Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan L (Medigap) Coverage and Costs 2026-2027
Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, often called Medigap Plan L, help pay for out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover. This includes things like deductibles and copayments.
Plan L is a 75% cost-sharing plan. This means it pays for 75% of most covered costs, while you pay the remaining 25%. It is designed for proactive savers—those who want lower monthly premiums but still want a safety net. Unlike some other plans, Plan L has a yearly out-of-pocket limit. Once you spend a certain amount, the plan pays 100% of your covered costs for the rest of the year.
What Medicare Supplement Plan L Covers in 2026-2027
Medigap Plan L provides a high level of protection for hospital stays and medical services. Here is what it covers at 75% (unless noted otherwise):
Hospital Expenses: Pays your Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 days after your Medicare benefits are used up.
Medical Expenses: Pays 75% of your Part B coinsurance or copayments. Preventive care is covered at 100%.
Blood Transfusions: Pays 75% of the cost for the first three pints of blood.
Hospice Care: Pays 75% of the Part A coinsurance or copayments for hospice care.
Skilled Nursing Facility Care: Pays 75% of the coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care.
Part A Deductible: Pays 75% of your Original Medicare Part A hospital deductible.
What Medicare Supplement Plan L Does Not Cover
Because Plan L focuses on lower premiums, there are some costs it does not pay for:
Part B Deductible: You are responsible for the first $283 of your medical costs in 2026.
Part B Excess Charges: If a doctor doesn't accept "Medicare assignment," they can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan L does not cover this.
Note: If you live in CT, MA, MN, NY, OH, PA, RI, or VT, state laws generally prevent doctors from charging these extra fees. In these states, Plan L offers nearly the same protection as more expensive plans.
Foreign Travel: Plan L does not cover medical emergencies outside of the U.S.
Prescription Drugs: Medigap plans don't include drug coverage. You will need a separate for your medications.
Who Should Consider Medicare Supplement Plan L
Plan L is a great middle-ground option. You get lower monthly premiums than with Plan G or Plan N, but you still have a guaranteed spending cap.
Advantages of Medicare Supplement Plan L
Lower Premiums: Your monthly bill is usually much lower than full coverage plans.
Financial Safety Net: The annual out-of-pocket limit protects you from huge bills if you have a major health event.
Standardized Benefits: A Plan L offering from one company has the same basic benefits as Plan L from another.
Disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan L
Cost-Sharing: You have to pay 25% of most bills until you hit your limit.
Not Ideal for Frequent Visits: If you see specialists several times a month, those 25% copays can add up quickly. In that case, a higher-premium plan like Plan G saves you money.
Medicare Supplement Plan L Costs in 2026-2027
Monthly premiums are set by private insurance companies. They look at your age, where you live, and your health status. Even though the standard Medicare Part B premium rose to $202.90 in 2026, Plan L premiums have stayed a stable, low-cost option for many seniors on a fixed income.
How Pricing Works For This Plan
Insurance companies usually price their plans in one of three ways:
Community-Rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age.
Issue-Age-Rated: Your price is based on your age when you first bought the policy. It won't go up just because you get older.
Attained-Age-Rated: Your premium starts low but increases every year as you age.
Medicare Supplement Plan L Premium
While the standard Medicare Part B premium rose to $202.90 in 2026, Medigap Plan L premiums have historically remained a stable, low-cost option for those on a fixed income. Because you share 25% of the costs, Plan L often has a significantly lower premium than Plan G.
Medigap Plan L Out-of-Pocket Limit
The out-of-pocket limit for Plan L is $4,000 in 2026. Once you spend this amount on covered services and meet your Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of your Medicare-covered costs for the rest of the calendar year.
Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans
Before choosing, it is helpful to see how Plan L stacks up against other popular options.
Plan L vs. Plan K
Plan K and Plan L are the only two Medigap plans with out-of-pocket limits.
Plan K covers 50% of most benefits with a higher limit of $8,000.
Plan L covers 75% of most benefits, with a minimum benefit of $4,000.
The Verdict: Plan L’s limit is exactly half of Plan K’s, making Plan L the safer choice for those with moderate healthcare usage.
Plan L vs. Plan N
While Plan N is more popular, it has no out-of-pocket limit. If you have a catastrophic health year, Plan L actually offers more financial protection than Plan N because your spending is capped.
There are a variety of Medicare Supplement plans available. Learn more about the various Medicare Supplement plan options below.
Understand All the Plan Options
In most states, there are eight Medicare Supplement plans to choose from, and all policies have been standardized. At SelectQuote, we can help you navigate your Medigap plan options, answering any questions you have to help you find the right plan for your needs and budget. Learn more about additional Medicare Supplement plan options below.
When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans
The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window starts the first day of the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this time, you can buy any Medigap policy regardless of health problems, often resulting in better prices and more choices.
Find the Right Medicare 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 so we can shop and compare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans available in your area. The service is free, and there’s no obligation to enroll.
FAQs About Medicare Supplement Plan L
Learn more about Medicare Supplement Plan L with answers to frequently asked questions.
What is the out-of-pocket limit for Medicare Supplement Plan L?
The out-of-pocket limit on Original Medicare-covered costs for Medicare Plan L is $4,000 in 2026.
How much does Plan L cost?
Prices vary by company and location, but it is typically one of the most affordable Medigap options due to the 25% cost-sharing requirement.
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. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within six months of the coverage start date 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.
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.
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