If you’re over 70 and reassessing your Medicare coverage — perhaps after a significant medical event, a premium increase, or advice from a trusted friend — you’re not alone. Medicare Supplement plans (also called Medigap) remain one of the most effective tools available for limiting out-of-pocket healthcare costs in your later years.
This guide explains which Medigap plans work best for seniors over 70, what they cost, and how to choose one without getting overwhelmed. We’ve written it in plain language — no insurance jargon without an explanation, no recommendations we can’t justify.
Important: This article is for informational purposes only. SeniorAffair.com is not a licensed insurance provider. Before making changes to your Medicare coverage, consult a licensed insurance agent or visit Medicare.gov to speak with a counselor.
What Is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan?
Original Medicare — Parts A and B — covers a wide range of healthcare services, but it doesn’t cover everything. You’re responsible for deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, which can add up to thousands of dollars in a single hospital stay. There’s also no cap on your annual out-of-pocket spending under Original Medicare alone.
A Medicare Supplement plan, sold by private insurance companies, covers some or all of those gaps. You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company, and in exchange, the plan picks up costs that Original Medicare leaves behind.
Key things to understand about Medigap:
- Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government — Plan G sold by Company A provides identical benefits to Plan G sold by Company B. The only difference is price and service quality.
- You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to buy a Medigap plan.
- Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage — you’ll need a separate Part D plan for that.
- Medigap does not work with Medicare Advantage (Part C). It’s designed specifically for use with Original Medicare.
The Best Medigap Plans for Seniors Over 70
There are ten standardized Medigap plans (labeled A through N). For most seniors over 70, three plans deserve serious consideration: Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G. Here’s what each provides and who benefits most.
Plan G — Most Popular for Comprehensive Coverage
Plan G is the most widely purchased Medigap plan in the country — and for good reason. It covers nearly everything Original Medicare doesn’t, leaving only one cost exposure: the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
| What Plan G Covers | Covered? |
|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance and costs (up to 365 days after Medicare) | ✓ Yes |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | ✓ Yes |
| Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | ✓ Yes |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment (20% of Medicare-approved costs) | ✓ Yes |
| Part B excess charges | ✓ Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | ✓ Yes |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | ✓ Yes |
| Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | ✗ Not covered |
Monthly premium range: Approximately $100–$200/month, depending on your age, state, and the insurance company. Seniors over 70 typically pay more than new enrollees at 65.
Best for: Seniors who see doctors frequently, have ongoing conditions, or simply want the peace of mind that comes with near-zero unpredictable medical bills. The $240 annual Part B deductible is your only out-of-pocket exposure once you’re enrolled.
Plan N — Best Value If You’re Generally Healthy
Plan N offers similar coverage to Plan G but with two key cost-sharing differences: you pay up to a $20 copay for some doctor’s office visits and up to a $50 copay for emergency room visits that don’t result in a hospital admission. In exchange, Plan N premiums are typically $20–$40 per month less than Plan G.
What Plan N covers: Everything Plan G covers, except it does not cover Part B excess charges, and it includes the doctor’s office and ER copays mentioned above. You also pay the Part B annual deductible.
Monthly premium range: Approximately $80–$160/month — meaningfully less than Plan G over the course of a year.
Best for: Seniors who are in generally good health, see doctors only occasionally, and are willing to pay small copays in exchange for lower monthly premiums. If you’re disciplined about preventive care and rarely need specialty services, Plan N may cost you less overall.
Note: Part B excess charges occur when a doctor doesn’t accept Medicare’s approved amount as payment in full. This is more common in some states than others. If you live in a state with a high rate of non-participating providers, Plan G’s coverage of excess charges may be worth the higher premium.
High-Deductible Plan G — Best for Low Premium, Rarely-Used Coverage
High-Deductible Plan G provides the same comprehensive coverage as standard Plan G — but you pay a deductible ($2,950 in 2026) before the plan kicks in. In exchange, the monthly premium is dramatically lower, often under $50/month for new enrollees and $50–$80/month for seniors over 70.
Monthly premium range: $40–$90/month — the lowest premium option among the three.
Best for: Seniors who are in good health, rarely use medical services, and can absorb the deductible in a bad year without financial hardship. Think of it as catastrophic-level coverage: you pay out of pocket until you hit the deductible, and then the plan covers everything. For seniors who go months without a doctor visit, the premium savings can exceed the out-of-pocket risk over time.
How Much Do Medicare Supplement Plans Cost After 70?
Medigap premiums increase with age in most states — a meaningful consideration for seniors who are enrolling after 70 rather than at 65. Insurance companies use three pricing models:
- Attained-age rated: Your premium increases as you get older. This is the most common type. Premiums may seem low at first but rise annually.
- Issue-age rated: Your premium is set based on your age when you first buy the policy and does not increase with age (though it may increase due to inflation). Less common but often better long-term value for older buyers.
- Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age. The best structure for seniors enrolling later in life — available in a handful of states including Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York.
To illustrate the range: a healthy 72-year-old female enrolling in Plan G might pay anywhere from $130 to $190 per month depending on the state and insurer. The same coverage bought at 65 might have cost $100–$140. These numbers vary significantly by location.
The most reliable way to compare current rates in your area is through a licensed Medicare broker or a comparison tool like GoHealth or Medicare.com — both of which provide quotes from multiple insurers without obligation.
How to Choose the Right Supplement Plan
Step 1: Review your current healthcare usage
Look at how many times you visited a doctor, specialist, or hospital in the past 12 months. If you had multiple visits or a significant health event, the comprehensive coverage of Plan G likely pays for itself. If you’ve been healthy, Plan N or High-Deductible Plan G may give you better value.
Step 2: Understand your state’s rules
Some states have additional protections for Medigap buyers — including birthday rules that allow you to switch plans annually without health underwriting. California, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, and Nevada are among the states with these protections. Your state’s SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) counselors can advise on your specific options at no cost.
Step 3: Compare multiple carriers for the same plan
Since Plan G benefits are identical regardless of which company sells it, the right question is: which company charges the least for Plan G in my zip code right now? Large carriers like Mutual of Omaha, AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Humana are all worth comparing. A licensed broker can pull quotes across all of them simultaneously.
Step 4: Ask about rate increase history
An insurer with a low current rate may have a history of aggressive annual increases. Before committing, ask how much the plan’s premium has increased each year for the past five years. Stability matters as much as the starting price.
Medicare Supplement vs. Medicare Advantage: Which Is Better at 70+?
This is one of the most common questions seniors face — and the honest answer is that it depends on your health, finances, and lifestyle.
| Medigap + Original Medicare | Medicare Advantage (Part C) |
|---|
| Monthly premium | Part B + Medigap premium (typically $200–$350 total) | Often $0 or very low (plus Part B premium) |
| Out-of-pocket costs | Very predictable — Medigap covers most gaps | Copays/coinsurance per visit; annual out-of-pocket maximum varies |
| Provider network | Any provider that accepts Medicare — nationwide | In-network only (HMO) or limited out-of-network (PPO) |
| Extra benefits | Few — coverage is medical only | Often includes dental, vision, hearing, gym benefits |
| Best for | Seniors with ongoing health needs, frequent specialists, or who travel | Relatively healthy seniors on tight budgets who stay local |
For seniors over 70, the balance often tips toward Medigap if health needs are becoming more complex or unpredictable. The ability to see any specialist in the country without a referral — and without worrying about network restrictions — is genuinely valuable when navigating serious health events.
However, switching from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare + Medigap after 70 can be difficult: you may face medical underwriting (health questions) that could result in higher premiums or denial. This is another reason to consider Medigap earlier rather than later if your health allows it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch Medigap plans after 70?
Yes, but it’s more complicated than it was at 65. Outside of your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the six months following your Part B enrollment at 65), insurance companies can require medical underwriting — meaning they can charge you more or deny coverage based on your health history. Some states have additional protections, such as birthday rules, that allow annual plan switches without underwriting. Contact your state’s SHIP program or a licensed broker to understand your specific options.
Does age affect Medicare supplement premiums?
Yes, in most cases. With attained-age rating (the most common model), premiums increase as you get older. A 72-year-old will typically pay more for the same plan than a 65-year-old. Issue-age-rated and community-rated plans are exceptions—if available in your state, they may offer better long-term value for seniors enrolling after 65.
What is the most popular Medigap plan?
Plan G is currently the most widely purchased Medigap plan in the United States, replacing Plan F (which closed to new enrollees in 2020). Plan G offers near-comprehensive coverage with only the Part B annual deductible ($283) left uncovered, making it the most predictable option for managing healthcare costs.
Is there a Medigap plan that covers dental and vision?
No — standard Medigap plans do not cover dental, vision, or hearing. For those benefits, Medicare Advantage plans are more likely to include them. If you want Medigap coverage plus dental/vision protection, you’ll need separate standalone dental and vision insurance policies. See our guide to dental insurance for seniors without Medicare dental coverage.
What’s the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage?
Medigap supplements Original Medicare — it covers costs Medicare doesn’t, and you can use any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with an all-in-one plan run by a private insurer, typically with network restrictions and copays but often lower monthly premiums and extra benefits like dental or fitness memberships. They serve the same general purpose (reducing your healthcare costs) but in fundamentally different ways.
Compare Medicare Supplement Plans in Your Area — Free
A licensed Medicare broker can show you current Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G rates from multiple insurers in your zip code—in under 10 minutes, with no obligation.
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