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Costs & IRMAA

Medigap Plan G Premiums Are Rising Faster Than Usual, With Some Rates Up More Than 26 Percent in 2026

With open enrollment weeks away, rate filings show Plan G increases of 12 to 26 percent or more for major carriers, leaving beneficiaries weighing fewer low-cost switching options.

By the Goodsurance editorial teamSeptember 22, 2026

Rate filings reviewed by KFF Health News show that Plan G, the most commonly purchased Medicare supplement type, saw premium increases ranging from just over 12 percent to more than 26 percent in the first quarter of 2026. The increases, drawn from early 2026 state insurance commission filings by Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, Mutual of Omaha, and UnitedHealthcare, represent a sharper pace of change than many beneficiaries have experienced in prior years.

More than 12 million Americans, about 43 percent of traditional Medicare beneficiaries, use Medigap coverage to help pay for costs that original Medicare does not cover, such as hospital deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Plan G, which covers most Medicare-approved costs outside the Part B deductible, has grown in popularity since Plan F closed to new enrollees in 2020.

Medigap Plan G premiums jumped 12 to 26 percent or more for major carriers in 2026, with limited switching options heading into open enrollment.

Rising rates reflect several factors, according to the reporting: higher use of medical services after the pandemic, an aging beneficiary pool, labor and supply cost increases in healthcare, and state-level regulatory rules that affect how insurers set rates.

In one example from the reporting, a 65-year-old woman in Alaska saw her Plan G monthly premium rise from about 172 dollars to about 192 dollars in a single year.

Beneficiaries who want to switch Medigap plans outside a guaranteed-issue window may face medical underwriting in most states, which means they could be denied coverage or charged more based on health conditions. The annual enrollment period running October 15 through December 7 does not include guaranteed-issue rights for Medigap unless an enrollee is also leaving a Medicare Advantage plan.

In plain words

Medigap plans that help pay Medicare costs are getting more expensive. The most popular type, Plan G, went up by 12 to 26 percent or more for many companies in 2026. More than 12 million people use these plans. Costs are rising because more people are using health care and because care is getting more expensive overall. If you want to switch to a cheaper Medigap plan, in most states you would need to pass a health check. Open enrollment starts October 15 but does not automatically give you the right to switch Medigap plans.

Understand the basics first

Source: KFF Health News
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