What is the best Medicare supplement for seniors?

There's no single "best" Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan for all seniors; it depends on your budget and coverage needs, but Plan G is the most popular for comprehensive coverage (covering all except the Part B deductible), while Plan N offers lower premiums with small copays for doctor visits. Top insurers include AARP (UnitedHealthcare), Humana, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Cigna, all offering standardized benefits, so compare companies for price, discounts, and extra perks like fitness memberships.

What is the highest rated Medicare Supplement plan?

There isn't a single "highest rated" plan, but Plan G is the most popular and comprehensive for new enrollees, covering nearly everything except the Part B deductible, while Plan F (only for those eligible before 2020) is the most comprehensive overall; the best company for Plan G is often AARP/UnitedHealthcare, with others like Humana and BCBS also highly rated for different strengths. Your "best" plan depends on your budget, location, and need for coverage like excess charges.
 

Is Medicare Plan G better than Plan D?

The only difference between Plan D and Plan G is that Part B excess charge coverage. So if you're deciding between the two, your decision will likely depend on how important that excess charge coverage is to you.

What Medicare plan pays 100%?

**For Plans K and L, after you meet your out-of-pocket yearly limit and your yearly Part B deductible ($257 in 2025) ($283 in 2026), the Medigap plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

Which is the best Medicare plan for seniors?

• Best for size of network: UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage.
• Best for ratings: Aetna Medicare Advantage.
• Best for low-cost plan availability: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) Medicare Advantage.
• Best for Part B Giveback: Humana Medicare Advantage.
• Best startup: Devoted Health Medicare Advantage.

The Only 3 Reasons You SHOULD NOT Be On A Supplemental Plan In 2026

What insurance provider denies the most claims?

In 2023, roughly one third of all in-network claims made to AvMed were denied by the medical insurance company. In this year, AvMed and United HealthCare were the medical insurance companies with the highest denial rate for in-network claims in the United States, at 33 percent each.

Is Blue Cross or UnitedHealthcare better?

UnitedHealthcare gets slightly higher overall star ratings than BCBS and may offer lower prices, but BCBS might offer a better customer experience.

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve missing enrollment deadlines, failing to review plans annually, underestimating total costs (premiums, deductibles, copays), not enrolling in a Part D drug plan with Original Medicare, and assuming one-size-fits-all coverage or that Medicare covers everything like long-term care. People often delay enrollment, get locked into old plans without checking for better options, or overlook financial assistance programs, leading to higher out-of-pocket expenses and penalties. 

Is it better to go on Medicare or stay on private insurance?

Neither Medicare nor private insurance is universally "better"; the best choice depends on individual needs, but Medicare often offers lower overall costs and simplicity for seniors, while private insurance excels in covering dependents and potentially offering more choice with networks/out-of-pocket caps, though at higher premiums. Medicare boasts lower admin costs and standardized coverage, but Original Medicare lacks an out-of-pocket maximum, a feature typically found in private plans and Medicare Advantage (Part C). 

What are the 5 things Medicare does not cover?

Original Medicare (Parts A & B) doesn't cover most dental, vision (like glasses/contacts), hearing aids, routine foot care, and long-term custodial care, plus many alternative therapies, cosmetic surgeries, and prescription drugs (without Part D). You'll need supplemental plans (like Medigap or Part C) or separate insurance for these common needs. 

What is the disadvantage of Plan G?

The main disadvantages of Medicare Plan G are that it requires you to pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible out-of-pocket, doesn't cover prescription drugs (requiring a separate Part D plan), and excludes dental, vision, and hearing care, often leading to higher premiums than less comprehensive plans. It also means managing two separate policies (Medigap + Part D) and can have enrollment restrictions if you're outside guaranteed periods, notes Omaha Insurance Solutions.
 

How much does Medicare Part G cost per month?

Medicare Supplement Plan G costs vary significantly, typically ranging from $96 to over $500 per month, depending heavily on your age, location (zip code), gender, tobacco use, and the insurance carrier, with younger individuals and non-smokers often paying less, and a high-deductible version available for lower premiums. Expect costs around $120 - $220 monthly on average for standard Plan G, but always compare quotes from different companies as prices for the same coverage differ. 

Is Humana or UnitedHealthcare better for seniors?

UnitedHealthcare: Medicare Advantage Comparison. UHC has higher star ratings and a large network, but Humana's Part B Giveback benefits and lower average premiums might make coverage more affordable.

What is the best choice to go with when I go on Medicare A and B and still need prescription and dental coverage?

Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans offer all the benefits of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), with extras like dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drug coverage.

Is AARP a good Medicare Supplement?

AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance from UnitedHealthcare has low complaint rates when compared with most competitors. Some plans have several variations with different prices, wellness extras and/or network restrictions, which could make choosing a plan confusing. Plan types offered A, B, C, F, G, K, L and N.

What is the best secondary insurance if you have Medicare?

Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies in 2026

• UnitedHealthcare / AARP – Best Plan Pairing: Plan G or Plan N.
• Cigna Healthcare – Best Plan Pairing: Plan G.
• Humana – Best Plan Pairing: Plan N.
• Aetna (CVS Health) – Best Plan Pairing: Plan N.

What states have the worst Medicare Advantage plans?

States often cited for weaker Medicare Advantage performance include Louisiana, Mississippi, Kentucky, West Virginia, and Florida, due to challenges with care access, provider shortages, and quality issues like higher rates of avoidable hospitalizations and inappropriate medication prescriptions, though specific rankings vary by report and focus (e.g., satisfaction vs. overall system). Other states like New York, California, Texas, and Michigan appear on lists for low member satisfaction with specific plans, not necessarily the whole state's system. 

How to lower Medicare premiums?

To lower Medicare premiums, report income drops from life events like retirement (Form SSA-44), apply for low-income help like Extra Help or Medicaid, use HSA funds for premiums, deduct premiums from taxes, switch to a cheaper Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan, or check if you qualify for Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs) through your state. 

What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam?

For a Medicare Wellness Exam's cognitive test, the three common words to remember are often "banana," "sunrise," and "chair," used in the Mini-Cog screening to check your memory and thinking skills; you say them immediately and then recall them after a few minutes. 

What does Dave Ramsey say about Medicare?

Dave Ramsey's Medicare advice centers on planning ahead, understanding enrollment periods to avoid penalties, using Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) if possible, and supplementing Original Medicare with Medigap or Medicare Advantage (Part C) to cover gaps like dental, vision, and long-term care, stressing that mistakes can be costly and recommending expert advice for personalized choices. 

Which medicare advantage plan denies the most claims?

Centene (Wellcare) and CVS Health (Aetna) have faced scrutiny for high prior authorization denial rates in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, with reports showing they had the most denied requests in 2023, though many denials were overturned on appeal, indicating issues with their strict criteria, while UnitedHealthcare also faces lawsuits and uses technology that has led to increased denials, especially for post-acute care, highlighting systemic challenges with MA plan claim approvals. 

What is the disadvantage of UnitedHealthcare for seniors?

Disadvantages of UnitedHealthcare (UHC) for seniors often involve its Medicare Advantage plans, including potentially restrictive provider networks, frequent prior authorizations slowing care, high denial rates for claims, and significant geographical variations in plan quality, meaning benefits and costs can differ greatly by location, sometimes leading to surprise out-of-pocket costs or limited access to specific doctors/hospitals. 

What is the best health insurance for seniors on Medicare?

There's no single "best" health plan, as it depends on your needs, but top providers for Medicare Advantage (Part C) include Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and BCBS, offering diverse benefits like $0 premiums, extra perks, and strong networks, while Medigap (Medicare Supplement) complements Original Medicare by filling gaps, with popular carriers like AARP/UHC, Anthem, and Cigna providing standardized policies (Plans G, F, N), with personalized choices best found via your State SHIP counselor or broker. 

Which is the No. 1 health insurance?

There's no single "number one" health insurer, as it depends on what matters to you (size, customer satisfaction, plan type), but UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare) is consistently the largest by revenue/market share, while Kaiser Permanente often ranks high for quality and customer satisfaction, and other major players include Elevance Health (Anthem), Centene, and Humana.