Why Medigap Plans Go Up and What to Do About It

Pamela Turner • April 24, 2026

The One Thing No One Tells You About Medigap Plans


Medigap plans (also called Medicare Supplements) are some of the best coverage you can have.


They’re simple.
They’re reliable.


And they let you see any doctor who accepts Medicare.


That’s why so many people feel good about choosing one.


But there’s something important that a lot of folks were never told…

✔️ Your monthly premium will go up over time.


And more importantly…

✔️ You’re allowed to review and change your plan.


First, Do You Know What Plan You Have Now?


If you have a Medigap plan:

  • You kept Original Medicare
  • You likely have two cards
    (one for your supplement, one for your drug plan)


If you only have one card, you probably have a Medicare Advantage plan instead.


There’s no right or wrong, just different ways of getting your coverage.


What I See All The Time


A lot of people sign up for a Medigap plan when they turn 65 and then they just stay on that same plan for years.


Not because it’s still the best option, but because no one ever told them to check.


If that’s you, don’t feel bad. You’re not alone.


A Quick Story


I once worked with a woman who had been on her Plan G for about 6 years. She was paying over $240 a month.


She thought, “Well… I guess that’s just what it costs.


When we took a look at her options, we found the same exact Plan G for about $140 a month.


Same coverage.
Same benefits.
Same doctors.


✔️ The only difference was the price.


That’s over $1,200 a year she could have been saving.


“But I’m Afraid to Switch…”


I hear this all the time and I understand. People worry about things like:

  • “What if the new company doesn't pay my bills the same way?”
  • “Will my doctor still accept it?”
  • “Will it cover the same things?”


Here’s the good news:


All Medigap plans are standardized.


That means:

  • Plan G is the same no matter which company you choose
  • Your coverage does not change
  • You can still see any doctor who accepts Medicare


The only real difference is the monthly cost.


So Why Do Prices Keep Going Up?


When you join a Medigap plan, you’re placed into a group.


As time goes on:

  • Healthcare costs go up
  • People in the group use more care
  • And premiums increase for everyone in that group.


It’s not based on your personal health, it’s based on the group as a whole.


Here’s Something Most People Don’t Know


Different insurance companies charge different prices for the same exact plan. So while your plan may have gone up quite a bit…


Another company may offer the same coverage for much less.



That’s why it’s so important to check every so often.


Can You Switch Plans?


Yes, you can apply to switch any time of year. That surprises a lot of people.


The only thing to keep in mind is:

  • In most states, you’ll answer a few health questions.


But don’t assume you won’t qualify. I’ve helped many people who thought they couldn’t switch and they were able to.


What If You Can’t Switch?


That can feel frustrating, I know. But there are still options:

  • Some states allow switching once a year without health questions
  • We can check if that applies to you



And if not, we can still look at other ways to make your coverage more affordable.


When Costs Start to Feel Too High


Sometimes, the pain of the increasing monthly premiums outweighs the fear of switching to a plan you wouldn't have chosen the first time around.


I’ve worked with couples paying hundreds of dollars every month for their plans. In some cases, we look at other options, like Medicare Advantage - not because it’s their first choice, but because it may fit their budget better.  Sometimes the cost of the existing Medigap plan is higher than the total annual risk of the Advantage Plan (max out of pocket).


Everyone’s situation is different, so it's worth checking into available options to know for sure if there's a solution.


The Biggest Takeaway


Your Medigap plan is not a “set it and forget it” decision.

It’s okay to revisit it. It’s okay to ask questions.



And it’s okay to see if there’s a better option out there.


If You’d Like Help


That’s exactly what I do. We can take a look at what you have now and see:

  • If you’re paying too much
  • If there’s a better option
  • Or if you’re already in a good place


Either way, you’ll have peace of mind.


If you’re ready to take a look at your options, you can click here to get in touch with me.


My help is always free, and I’ll be with you every step of the way.


Talk soon!

By Pamela Turner April 1, 2026
 One of the fastest ways to understand Medicare is to understand the difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantage. If you truly understand these two paths, everything else starts to fall into place. Every week, I talk to people who feel overwhelmed. You’re hearing about Parts A, B, C, and D… then letters like G, N, and more. On top of that, you’re seeing ads or getting calls promising money back, groceries, or gift cards but they’re not actually explaining how the plan works. So how are you supposed to make a confident decision when you don’t even have a clear foundation yet? Let’s simplify it. You don’t have hundreds of choices. You have two paths: Medigap or Medicare Advantage .
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