Medicare Supplement · North Carolina
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans — Is It Right for You?
Medigap works alongside Original Medicare to cover your share of costs — with no provider networks, no referrals, and no plan-specific prior authorizations. Your doctors. Nationwide. Any time.
Two paths through Medicare
Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement — side by side
- Any provider nationwide that accepts Medicare
- No referrals required for specialists
- No prior authorizations on covered services
- Predictable costs — minimal out-of-pocket after deductible
- Ideal for frequent travelers or snowbirds
- Higher monthly premium than most MA plans
- Does not include drug coverage (need separate Part D)
- No dental, vision, or hearing extras
- Underwriting may apply if you enroll after your OEP
- Often $0 monthly premium beyond Part B
- Usually includes Part D drug coverage
- May include dental, vision, hearing, OTC benefits
- Annual out-of-pocket maximum caps your risk
- Provider networks — must use in-network doctors (HMO)
- Prior authorizations required for many services
- Benefits and networks change annually
- Out-of-network care may not be covered (HMO)
Neither path is universally better. The right choice depends on your health, your providers, your travel patterns, and your budget. We compare both for your specific situation — at no cost to you.
Most common Medigap plans in North Carolina
Plan G vs. Plan N — what each covers
Both Plan G and Plan N are standardized by the federal government — which means the coverage is identical across all insurers offering the same plan. The difference is the premium and what you pay at the point of service.
What it covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance (up to 365 days after Medicare)
- Part A deductible ($1,676 per benefit period in 2026)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance/copay
- Part B coinsurance or copay (20% after deductible)
- Part B excess charges
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to plan limits)
What you still pay
- Annual Part B deductible (~$257 in 2026)
What it covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance (up to 365 days after Medicare)
- Part A deductible ($1,676 per benefit period in 2026)
- Part A hospice care coinsurance/copay
- Part B coinsurance (after deductible — with copays)
- Blood (first 3 pints)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to plan limits)
What you still pay
- Annual Part B deductible (~$257 in 2026)
- Part B excess charges (balance billing)
- Copay up to $20/visit for some office visits
- Copay up to $50/ER visit (waived if admitted)
Plan F (the most comprehensive plan) is no longer available to beneficiaries who turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G is the closest equivalent. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap.
Timing is everything
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time window
Your guaranteed-issue Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this 6-month window:
- Any insurer must accept you. They cannot deny coverage or charge more based on pre-existing health conditions.
- All plans are available. You can choose any standardized Medigap plan offered in NC without answering health questions.
- Rates are age-based, not health-based. You get the best available rate for your age group.
After your OEP closes, North Carolina allows insurers to use medical underwriting — meaning they can charge more or deny coverage based on your health history. There is no annual "open season" for Medigap the way there is for Medicare Advantage.
Medigap questions, answered
What is a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan?
A Medicare Supplement plan — also called Medigap — is a private insurance policy that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to pay your share of costs: deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. Unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap has no provider networks — you can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
What is the most popular Medigap plan in North Carolina for 2026?
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan for beneficiaries who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G covers nearly every Original Medicare gap except the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan N offers lower premiums in exchange for small copays ($20 per doctor visit, up to $50 per ER visit if not admitted).
What is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period?
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a one-time 6-month window that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers must accept you regardless of pre-existing conditions — no medical underwriting. After your OEP closes, NC allows insurers to deny coverage or charge higher rates based on health history.
Can I switch from Medicare Advantage to Medigap later?
Yes, but it may require medical underwriting if your Medigap OEP has closed. In NC, insurers can ask health questions and may decline coverage or charge more after age 65. You can switch during the Medicare Advantage OEP (Jan 1–Mar 31) back to Original Medicare and then apply for Medigap — but approval is not guaranteed. The best time to consider Medigap is at age 65.
Does Medigap include prescription drug coverage?
No. All Medigap plans sold after 2006 no longer include Part D drug coverage. Most Medigap enrollees pair their supplement plan with a standalone Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. For 2026, Part D includes an annual out-of-pocket cap of roughly $2,100 — after which covered drugs cost you $0 for the rest of the year.
How much does Medigap cost in North Carolina?
Medigap premiums vary by plan type, insurer, age, gender, tobacco status, and zip code. In NC, Plan G monthly premiums typically range from roughly $100–$200/mo for a 65-year-old non-smoker. Plan N premiums run lower. Rates increase with age and differ by carrier — we compare every carrier's rate for your specific situation at no cost.
Not sure which path is right for you?
We compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage side by side for your specific doctors, prescriptions, and budget — at no cost to you. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
Related Medicare resources
- Enrollment periods →
Your Medigap OEP and other Medicare windows.
- Medicare FAQ →
Common supplement and plan questions answered.
- Medicare 101 →
Parts A, B, C, and D explained.
- Find help by county →
Local Medicare plan data for your area.
Official source: Medicare.gov — Medigap plans. For the most current information, visit Medicare.gov directly.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to get information on all of your options. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. For informational purposes only — not insurance, legal, or financial advice. Medicare Supplement plan availability and premium information are illustrative examples and vary by insurer, age, gender, tobacco status, and zip code. Contact us for a personalized quote. NPN: 18530055. Agency NPN: 20387435.