Medicare Insurance Plans — Compare Every Carrier

Free, side-by-side comparison of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap Plans G/N/F), and Part D prescription plans from every major carrier in your state. A nationwide network of licensed independent agents helps match you with the right plan.

📞 Call (256) 800-4885 Get a Free Quote

Quick Answer

There are 4 ways to get Medicare coverage: (1) Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D for maximum provider freedom and predictable costs; (2) Medicare Advantage (Part C), often $0 premium, bundled drug/dental/vision, network-based; (3) standalone Part D prescription plans alongside Original Medicare; (4) Special Needs Plans (SNPs) for chronic conditions, dual-eligibility, or institutional residence.

For most people new to Medicare, Medigap Plan G is the most comprehensive option, and Plan N is the best lower-premium alternative. Plans are federally standardized — same letter = same benefits — so price and the carrier's rate-increase history are what matter.

Free quotes: Call 256-242-0240 — licensed agents in all 50 states.

The 4 Medicare Plan Types

What each plan covers, who it's for, and how they fit together.

Medicare Advantage (Part C)

An all-in-one alternative to Original Medicare offered by private insurers, with networks and bundled extras.

  • Combines Part A, B, and usually Part D
  • Often $0 monthly premium
  • Frequently bundles dental, vision, hearing
  • Network-based (HMO/PPO) with prior authorization
  • Annual out-of-pocket max ($3,000 – $8,850)

Medicare Supplement (Medigap)

Private insurance that pays the deductibles, copays, and coinsurance Original Medicare leaves you with.

  • Use any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide
  • No networks, no referrals, no prior auth
  • Federally standardized plans (A through N)
  • Plans G and N most popular for new enrollees
  • Plan F closed to those new to Medicare after Jan 1, 2020

Medicare Part D

Standalone prescription drug coverage. Required if you have Original Medicare + Medigap and want to avoid the lifetime late enrollment penalty.

  • Standalone drug plans from private insurers
  • Tiered formularies and preferred pharmacy networks
  • Annual enrollment Oct 15 – Dec 7
  • Late enrollment penalty if delayed without other creditable coverage

Special Needs Plans (SNPs)

Medicare Advantage plans tailored to specific groups, with benefits and care coordination focused on the target population.

  • C-SNP — chronic conditions (diabetes, heart failure, COPD)
  • D-SNP — dual Medicare + Medicaid eligibility
  • I-SNP — institutional / nursing facility residents
  • Includes Part D drug coverage

Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap — Side by Side

The single most important Medicare decision.

FeatureMedigap (Plan G/N)Medicare Advantage
Provider freedomAny U.S. provider accepting MedicareNetwork HMO/PPO
Referrals requiredNoOften, for HMOs
Prior authorizationNo (for Medicare-covered care)Yes, common
Out-of-pocket maximumPredictable, very lowSet by plan ($3,000 – $8,850/yr)
Monthly premium$90 – $200 (Plan G/N, age 65)Often $0
Prescription drug coverageSeparate Part D plan requiredUsually bundled
Dental, vision, hearingNot includedUsually bundled
Travel coverageNationwideLimited outside service area

📅 Medicare Enrollment Periods That Matter

  1. Initial Medigap Open Enrollment (one time, 6 months): begins the month you are 65+ and enrolled in Part B. Guaranteed-issue, no underwriting.
  2. Initial Medicare Enrollment (7 months): 3 months before your 65th birthday, the month of, and 3 months after — to enroll in Part A and Part B.
  3. Annual Open Enrollment (Oct 15 – Dec 7): change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for the next year.
  4. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1 – Mar 31): switch MA plans or return to Original Medicare.
  5. Special Enrollment Periods: triggered by losing employer coverage, moving, or qualifying for Extra Help.

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions people ask when shopping for Medicare — answered straight, no jargon.

What are the four main types of Medicare plans?+
The four main types are: (1) Original Medicare (Parts A and B) plus a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan plus Part D for drugs; (2) Medicare Advantage (Part C), which replaces Original Medicare with an HMO or PPO plan often bundled with Part D, dental, and vision; (3) Standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plans for those with Original Medicare; and (4) Special Needs Plans (SNPs), Medicare Advantage plans for people with chronic conditions, dual Medicare/Medicaid eligibility, or institutional residence.
Medicare Advantage vs Medigap — which is better?+
Medigap is better for people who want maximum provider freedom (any doctor in the U.S. that accepts Medicare, no networks), predictable low out-of-pocket costs, and consistent coverage when traveling. Medicare Advantage is better for people who want lower or $0 monthly premiums, bundled extras (dental, vision, hearing, OTC allowance), and don't mind network restrictions. Medigap requires a separate Part D plan; most Medicare Advantage plans include drug coverage.
Which Medigap plan should I choose?+
For people new to Medicare, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available — it covers nearly everything Original Medicare doesn't except a small annual Part B deductible (about $257 for 2026). Plan N is the lower-premium alternative with small copays on office visits and ER trips. Plan F is only available to those Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. Same-letter Medigap plans are federally standardized, so price and the carrier's rate-increase history are the only meaningful differences between carriers.
When can I enroll in Medicare?+
Initial Enrollment Period for Medicare itself is the 7-month window around your 65th birthday: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after. Initial Medigap Open Enrollment is the 6 months starting the month you are 65+ and have Part B — guaranteed-issue, no medical underwriting. Annual Open Enrollment for Medicare Advantage and Part D plan changes is October 15 through December 7. Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment is January 1 through March 31.
What is a Special Needs Plan (SNP)?+
A Special Needs Plan is a type of Medicare Advantage plan tailored to specific populations: Chronic Condition SNPs (C-SNP) for people with conditions like diabetes, heart failure, or COPD; Dual-Eligible SNPs (D-SNP) for those qualified for both Medicare and Medicaid; and Institutional SNPs (I-SNP) for people in nursing facilities. SNPs include Part D and have benefits and care coordination focused on the target population.
Do I need a separate Part D plan if I have Medicare Advantage?+
Usually no — most Medicare Advantage plans (called MA-PD plans) include Part D prescription drug coverage. A few specialty Medicare Advantage plans, such as some PPO plans for veterans, do not include drug coverage; in those cases you'd add a standalone Part D plan. If you have Original Medicare with a Medigap policy, you must add a standalone Part D plan or face a permanent late enrollment penalty.
How much do Medicare plans cost?+
Medicare Part B has a standard 2026 monthly premium of $185 for most people (income-based surcharges apply at higher incomes). Medicare Advantage plans frequently cost $0 in monthly premium beyond your Part B premium. Medigap Plan G premiums for a 65-year-old non-smoker run roughly $110 to $200 per month depending on state. Standalone Part D plans average $40 to $60 per month. Out-of-pocket costs vary significantly by plan structure.
What does it cost to use your service?+
Nothing. Our consultations and Medicare plan comparisons are 100% free to you. Our agents are paid by the insurance carrier when you enroll, and your monthly premium is the same whether you enroll through us or directly with the carrier.
How do I get a Medicare quote?+
Call 256-242-0240 or use the form on this page. You will be matched with a licensed independent Medicare agent in our nationwide network. Most quotes can be provided the same day. We compare every Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D plan available in your ZIP code.

Medicare Plans by State

Medicare rules and premiums vary by state. Pick yours for a state-specific guide.

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDCFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming

Free Medicare Plan Comparison

Same-day quotes from a nationwide network of licensed independent agents. No cost. No obligation. Same price as enrolling direct.

📞 Call (256) 800-4885 Get a Quote Online

Related Reading on Medicare

2026 reference
Glossary terms
Tools & specialists