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Comparing quotes can help you get the best deal on your Medicare Advantage, Supplement and Part D coverage.
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
The cost and quality of privately sold Medicare plans can vary considerably from company to company. That's why it's important to take both factors into consideration when shopping for a plan.
You must sign up for Original Medicare (Parts A and B) before buying any private Medicare coverage. Most people are automatically signed up for Medicare when they begin receiving Social Security benefits.
What kind of Medicare quotes should I get?
Comparing Medicare plan options lets you get the best price for your coverage. You can buy three different types of Medicare coverage through private companies.
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Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) plans combine coverage from Medicare Parts A, B and frequently D. The average Medicare Advantage plan costs just $28 a month.
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Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans help fill the gap left by Original Medicare. Medigap plans typically cover out-of-pocket costs like your deductible, copay and coinsurance for Medicare Parts A and B. On average, you'll pay $186 per month for a Medigap Plan F policy and $152 for a Plan G policy.
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Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for Original Medicare plan holders. The average Medicare Part D plan costs $49 a month.
Compare Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans
When shopping for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, the only two factors you should consider are price and customer service.
All Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by plan letter. That means each Plan A policy offers the same coverage regardless of which company you buy it from. While coverage doesn't vary between insurance providers, quality and price do.
Although there are 10 different Medigap plans to choose from, the three most popular plans make up a majority of all Medicare Supplement policies sold. You should first consider Plans F, G and N since they provide the most overall coverage.
Only a few differences separate these plans. Plan F covers your Part B deductible, while Plans G and N don't. Plans F and G cover your Part B excess charges, while Plan N doesn't. Excess charges are rare. Only 2% of medical providers are authorized to make them.
Covered areas under Plans F, G and N
- Part A coinsurance
- Part B coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Daily coinsurance for hospice care
- Daily coinsurance for a skilled nursing facility
- 80% of foreign emergency medical care
- Blood transfusions up to three pints
You need to consider the total cost and coverage levels when shopping for a Medicare Supplement plan. Plans F, G and N are popular because they provide high levels of coverage. However, if you're healthy, you might choose a plan that costs less but provides less coverage.
For example, Plan K costs $101 per month less than Plan F, on average. However, Plan F covers 100% of costs like your deductible, copay and coinsurance, while Plan K covers half. If you don't have many medical needs, those costs will be lower, and the monthly savings for Plan K might outweigh the higher amount you pay for care.
Average cost of a Medigap plan
Plan | National average |
|---|---|
| Plan F | $186 |
| Plan G | $152 |
| Plan F (high-deductible) | $50 |
| Plan G (high-deductible) | $48 |
| Plan N | $118 |
Average monthly costs are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke.
You can only buy Plans C and F if you became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020. Plan G provides similar coverage to Plan F. However, Plan G does not cover your Medicare Part B deductible.
Plan G rates
Plan F rates
Plan G rates
Plan F rates
Find Cheap Medicare Plans in Your Area
Nationwide, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Mutual of Omaha stand out for their combination of low prices and high-quality customer service. Aetna and Cigna also offer affordable plans. However, both companies receive more customer complaints than average.
You should consider AARP/UnitedHealthcare if you're age 75 or older since its prices become more competitive as you age. If you're close to 65, however, you may want to steer clear of the company's high rates.
Top Medigap providers' Plan F and G average prices
Plan F | Plan G | |
|---|---|---|
| Mutual of Omaha | $173 | $151 |
| Aetna | $181 | $142 |
| Cigna | $191 | $161 |
| BCBS | $192 | $145 |
| Humana | $200 | $163 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $270 | $237 |
All monthly quotes are for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke.
How to compare Medicare Advantage quotes
There are many cheap Medicare Advantage plans on the market including some that don't charge a monthly rate. In addition to looking at prices, you should also consider coverage details and service quality when comparing plans.
When shopping around, look for plans rated four or five stars by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Medicare Advantage (Part C) bundles Medicare Parts A, B and frequently D in a single package. Medicare Advantage plans tend to be popular with people who care about affordability since they usually offer additional coverage at no charge or for a low additional cost.
For example, many Medicare Advantage plans provide bundled prescription drug coverage, vision and dental. You'll have to buy these separately with Original Medicare.
Average monthly rates
Company | Monthly rates |
|---|---|
| Kaiser Permanente | $42 |
| Cigna | $6 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $14 |
| Humana | $22 |
| BCBS | $34 |
| Aetna | $15 |
Most Medicare Advantage plans are PPOs or HMOs. HMOs typically charge less than other types of health plans. However, they restrict you to in-network care for most nonemergency services. PPOs give you more flexibility by letting you go outside your health provider network to receive care.
When comparing plans, you should also be mindful of other costs like your deductible, copay, coinsurance and out-of-pocket max. A $0 Medicare Advantage plan might have a higher deductible and copay than a Medicare Advantage plan with a monthly premium. That means if you have a chronic health condition, you might still pay more than if you had a Medicare Advantage plan with a monthly cost.
Compare Medicare Part D plans
Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Plans are offered by private insurance companies.
The national average for a Medicare Part D plan is $49 a month. However, this number is misleading because most plans either have a $0 deductible or a $505 deductible.
Average cost of Medicare Part D
Monthly premium | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|
| High-deductible plan | $37 | $505 |
| Zero-dollar deductible plan | $91 | $0 |
Unlike Medigap policies, Medicare Part D is not standardized. When shopping around, you should check that your existing medications are covered before committing to a plan.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost for Medicare?
The average cost of Medicare Supplement Plan G, the most popular plan for new enrollees, is $152 a month. Medicare Advantage plans run just $28 a month on average, while Medicare Part D averages out to $49 a month.
In addition, many cheap and no-cost Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plans are available.
Who is the best person to talk to about Medicare?
You can apply for Medicare or talk to a qualified customer care representative about your Medicare-related questions at 1-800-Medicare (TTY 1-877-486-2048). Live chat options are also available on Medicare.gov. Some state-level governments also operate free Medicare hotlines.
What is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan?
The two most common Medicare Supplement plans are G and F. Plan F is only available to those who became eligible for Medicare before Jan. 1, 2020, making Plan G the most popular plan among new Medicare Supplement enrollees.
Sources and methodology
Medicare Supplement plan information was sourced from Medicare.gov. Our recommendations are based on rate prices, customer complaints and reviews and data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Actuarial data for a 65-year-old woman who doesn't smoke was used to determine average costs. Rates exclude those influenced by medical underwriting, a process in which a consumer's health status is used to determine prices and eligibility.
Averages exclude Medicare Select plans and data from states that use nonstandard Medicare Supplement plans.
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Invitations for application for insurance may be made through QW Insurance Solutions, LLC ("QWIS"), a subsidiary of QuoteWizard.com, LLC ("QuoteWizard"), a LendingTree subsidiary, or through its designated agents, only where licensed and appointed. Licensing information for QWIS can be found here. QWIS is a non-government licensed health insurance agency. Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency.
Callers to QWIS will be directed to a licensed and certified representative of Medicare Supplement insurance and/or Medicare Advantage HMO, HMO SNP, PPO, PPO SNP and PFFS organizations. Calls to QWIS will be routed to a licensed agent who can provide you with further information about the insurance plans offered by one or more third-party partners of QWIS. Each of the organizations they represent has a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any plan depends on contract renewal.
Availability of benefits and plans varies by carrier and location and may be limited to certain times of the year unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. QWIS does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information provided is limited to those plans offered in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Deductibles, copays, coinsurance, limitations, and exclusions may apply.
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