Written By

Greg Wohl

Licensed Medicare Specialist

Medicare Supplement insurance, also called Medigap, fills the gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind: deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments that can add up to thousands of dollars in a single year. The federal government standardizes Medigap benefits, meaning every insurer must offer the same benefits for a given plan letter.

But the federal government also allows ten different standardized plan letters, each covering a different combination of benefits. That is where the confusion begins.

This guide explains why so many plan letters exist, what each one covers, and which plans are worth considering for most Florida beneficiaries in 2026.

Key Takeaways

Medigap plan letters are federally standardized: The federal government defines exactly what each Medigap plan letter covers. Plan G from one insurer covers the same benefits as Plan G from any other insurer. The only difference between insurers is the monthly premium.
There are 10 standardized plan letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N: Not all letters are available in every state, and not all insurers offer every plan. In Florida, Plans G, N, and F are the most widely available and most commonly purchased.
Plan F is no longer available to new Medicare enrollees: Plan F was the most comprehensive Medigap plan, covering 100% of Medicare cost-sharing including the Part B deductible. It was discontinued for new enrollees who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before 2020, you may still be able to enroll.
Plan G is now the most comprehensive plan available to new enrollees: Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). For most people, the premium savings of Plan G versus Plan F more than offset the deductible difference.
Plan N offers lower premiums with some cost-sharing: Plan N has lower monthly premiums than Plan G but requires copayments of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. It also does not cover Part B excess charges.
Plans K and L have annual out-of-pocket limits: Plans K and L cover a percentage of costs rather than 100%, but they cap your annual out-of-pocket exposure. They are less common but can work well for healthy beneficiaries who want lower premiums.

Why Does Medicare Have So Many Plan Letters?

The alphabet of Medigap plan letters exists because Congress and CMS designed the system to give beneficiaries a range of coverage levels at different price points.

The logic is similar to how auto insurance works: you can buy comprehensive coverage with a low deductible, or you can accept more cost-sharing in exchange for a lower premium. Medigap plan letters represent different points on that spectrum.

The current standardized plans were established by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 and have been updated several times since. The 2010 Affordable Care Act eliminated Plans E, H, I, and J and introduced Plans M and N. The 2020 Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) eliminated first-dollar coverage for the Part B deductible, which is why Plan F and Plan C are no longer available to new enrollees.

The result is the current lineup of 10 plan letters, each serving a different risk tolerance and budget.

What Each Plan Letter Covers: A Complete Comparison

All Medigap plans cover certain core benefits. Every plan covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted, and Part A hospice care coinsurance.

Beyond that core, coverage varies significantly by plan letter. Here is a summary of the key differences:

Plan	Part B Deductible	Part B Coinsurance	Part A Deductible	Skilled Nursing	Foreign Travel	Part B Excess
A	No	Yes	No	No	No	No
B	No	Yes	Yes	No	No	No
D	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
F*	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
G	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
K	No	50%	50%	50%	No	No
L	No	75%	75%	75%	No	No
M	No	Yes	50%	Yes	Yes	No
N	No	Yes*	Yes	Yes	Yes	No

*Plan F is not available to beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan N covers Part B coinsurance but requires copayments up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits.

The Three Plans Most Florida Beneficiaries Should Consider

While ten plan letters exist, most Florida Medicare beneficiaries end up comparing three: Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F (for those eligible).

Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan in Florida for new enrollees. It covers everything except the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Once you pay that deductible, you have no further out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-covered services for the rest of the year. Plan G premiums in Florida typically range from $110 to $180 per month depending on your age, gender, and insurer.

Plan N has lower premiums than Plan G, typically $70 to $130 per month in Florida. The trade-off is cost-sharing: you pay up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted). Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges, which occur when a doctor charges more than Medicare's approved amount. Plan N works well for beneficiaries who are healthy and see doctors infrequently.

Plan F remains available to beneficiaries who were Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020. It covers everything including the Part B deductible. However, Plan F premiums tend to be higher than Plan G, and the premium gap is usually larger than the $257 deductible. Most people who are eligible for both find Plan G to be the better value.

For a detailed comparison of these plans, see our guide on Medicare Supplement Plans Florida 2026.

Plans K and L: The High-Deductible Options

Plans K and L are the least common Medigap plans in Florida, but they serve a specific purpose: lower premiums in exchange for more cost-sharing, with an annual out-of-pocket cap.

Plan K covers 50% of most Medicare cost-sharing and caps your annual out-of-pocket at $7,220 in 2026. The monthly premium is significantly lower than Plan G or N.

Plan L covers 75% of most Medicare cost-sharing and caps your annual out-of-pocket at $3,610 in 2026. The premium falls between Plan K and Plan N.

These plans can make sense for beneficiaries who are in excellent health, have substantial savings to cover potential out-of-pocket costs, and want the lowest possible monthly premium. They are not recommended for beneficiaries with chronic conditions or frequent healthcare needs.

There is also a High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) that requires you to pay a $2,870 deductible before benefits kick in. After the deductible, HDG covers the same benefits as Plan G. HDG premiums are very low, often under $50 per month in Florida.

Why the Same Plan Letter Costs Different Amounts at Different Insurers

Since the benefits are standardized, why do premiums vary so much between insurers for the same plan letter?

The answer is the rating method each insurer uses to set premiums.

Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age. Premiums may increase over time due to inflation, but not because you are getting older. This is the most favorable rating method for older beneficiaries.

Issue-age-rated: Your premium is based on your age when you first enroll. It does not increase as you age, but it does increase with inflation. Younger enrollees pay less than older enrollees at the time of purchase.

Attained-age-rated: Your premium increases as you age. This is the most common rating method in Florida. Premiums start lower but can become significantly more expensive in your 70s and 80s.

Shopping for the lowest premium at age 65 can be misleading if you do not account for the rating method. A community-rated plan with a higher initial premium may cost less over a 10-year period than an attained-age plan with a lower initial premium.

For guidance on choosing the right plan and insurer, schedule a free consultation with our licensed specialists.

When You Can Enroll: Medigap Open Enrollment and Guaranteed Issue

Medigap plans have underwriting rules that make timing of enrollment important.

Medigap Open Enrollment Period: You have a 6-month window starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health history. This is the best time to enroll.

After the Open Enrollment Period: Insurers can use medical underwriting, meaning they can deny your application or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. Florida does not have continuous guaranteed issue rights for Medigap.

Guaranteed issue exceptions: Certain situations trigger guaranteed issue rights outside of Open Enrollment, such as losing employer coverage, moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan's service area, or your Medicare Advantage plan leaving the market. These rights are limited and time-sensitive.

For more on enrollment timing and the relationship between Medigap and Medicare Advantage, see our guide on Pros and Cons of Florida Medicare Supplement Plans.

The Bottom Line on Medicare Plan Letters

The alphabet of Medigap plan letters exists to give beneficiaries a range of coverage levels at different price points. Here is the key guidance:

Plan G is the best overall value for most new Medicare enrollees in Florida: comprehensive coverage with only the Part B deductible as out-of-pocket exposure
Plan N offers lower premiums with modest copayments, best for healthy beneficiaries who see doctors infrequently
Plan F is still available if you were Medicare-eligible before 2020, but Plan G is usually the better value
Plans K and L offer lower premiums with cost-sharing caps, best for very healthy beneficiaries with savings to cover potential costs
Rating method matters as much as the plan letter: community-rated plans may cost less over time despite higher initial premiums
Enroll during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period to avoid medical underwriting and guaranteed issue restrictions

Our licensed specialists can compare specific plan premiums and rating methods from multiple insurers in your area. Schedule a free consultation to get a personalized comparison.