Medicare information reviewed and updated July 2026 · 2026 Part B premium: $202.90/month
How Medigap Works
Medigap (Medicare Supplement) works with Original Medicare. Medicare pays its share first, then your Medigap plan pays the gaps it left behind: deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Plans are standardized by letter, so a Plan G is a Plan G at any carrier. There are no networks. Any provider in the country who accepts Medicare accepts your Medigap plan, which matters in a state like Kansas where seniors often split care between a local hospital and a larger system in Kansas City or Wichita.
The Plans Kansans Buy Most
Plan G
The most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new enrollees. Covers virtually everything Original Medicare doesn't, except the small annual Part B deductible. Most predictable out-of-pocket costs.
Plan N
Lower monthly premium than Plan G. You pay small copays for office visits ($20) and ER visits ($50, waived if admitted). Doesn't cover Part B excess charges.
High Deductible Plan G
Same benefits as Plan G behind a high annual deductible ($2,870 in 2026). The lowest premium way to hold catastrophic-style protection.
Plan F (grandfathered)
Only available if you became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If that's you and you never enrolled, you can still apply.
Kansas-Specific Medigap Rules
Kansas Department of Insurance regulates rates
Carriers must file rates with the state. They can change premiums over time, but they can't single out individual policyholders for rate increases.
Under-65 disability Medigap
Kansas requires carriers to offer at least one Medigap plan to people under 65 who have Medicare due to disability.
6-month Medigap Open Enrollment
Your one-time window starts the month you're 65 AND enrolled in Part B and lasts 6 months. During it, carriers can't deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Losing employer coverage, plan terminations, and moving out of a Medicare Advantage service area give you the right to buy specific Medigap plans without underwriting.
How Kansas Carriers Price The Same Plan
Three pricing methods exist, and Kansas carriers may use any of them. The method sets how your premium behaves over time:
Community-rated
Everyone in the same plan pays the same premium regardless of age. Premiums can still rise with inflation and claims experience.
Issue-age rated
Premium based on your age when you first buy. Younger buyers lock in lower rates that don't rise due to age.
Attained-age rated
Starts lower and increases as you age. Cheapest at first, typically the most expensive long-term.
Same Plan G benefits, different price tags. Shopping across carriers is where the savings live.
Plan G is the most comprehensive option available to new enrollees and the most commonly chosen. Plan N runs a lower premium in exchange for small copays. High Deductible Plan G fits people who want catastrophic protection at the lowest premium.
Are Medigap benefits the same across Kansas carriers?
Yes. Medigap plans are standardized federally. Plan G from one Kansas carrier covers exactly the same benefits as Plan G from another. The differences are price, rate history, and customer service.
Can Kansans under 65 buy Medigap?
Yes. Kansas requires carriers to offer at least one Medigap plan to people under 65 who have Medicare due to disability. Not all states do this.
When can I buy Medigap without health questions in Kansas?
During your one-time 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B, or in specific Guaranteed Issue situations such as losing employer coverage or a plan termination.
Does Kansas have a Medigap Birthday Rule?
No. Some states let you switch Medigap plans around your birthday without underwriting; Kansas does not, as of this writing. Switching outside your open enrollment usually means medical underwriting.
Does Medigap include drug coverage?
No. You pair Medigap with a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan. They are sold separately.
Adam
Licensed Kansas Agent · AHIP Certified
Lawrence native · Free State HS · BS Finance, KU
Talk With Adam. No Pressure, No Cost.
I grew up in Lawrence, graduated from Free State High School, and earned a BS in Finance from the University of Kansas. Most of the people I help are turning 65 or reviewing their current Medicare coverage.
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