Medicare information reviewed and updated July 2026 · 2026 Part B premium: $202.90/month
What Medigap Is (And Isn't)
What It Is
Supplemental insurance that works WITH Original Medicare
Pays gaps Medicare leaves: deductibles, coinsurance, copayments
Standardized: Plan G is identical across carriers
Sold by private insurers, regulated by the state
What It Isn't
A replacement for Original Medicare
A drug plan (you need separate Part D)
The same as Medicare Advantage
Combined with Medicare Advantage (you can't have both)
The Most Popular Medigap Plans In Kansas
Medigap plans are identified by letter (Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, N). Here are the ones most Kansas seniors consider.
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 but with a high annual deductible ($2,870 in 2026). A much lower monthly premium. Fits seniors who want catastrophic-style protection at a lower premium.
Plan F (grandfathered)
No longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you became eligible before that date and weren't enrolled, you can still apply.
How Medigap Works With Your Lawrence Doctors
No networks
See any provider in the country who accepts Medicare. No referrals required.
Works at LMH Health and KU Med
Both accept Original Medicare broadly, so Medigap pays its share at both.
Works while traveling
Coverage works in all 50 states wherever Medicare is accepted. Some plans include foreign travel emergency benefits.
Predictable cost when you need care
Most Medigap plans pay the deductibles and coinsurance Medicare leaves, so your out-of-pocket is minimal at the time of service.
Kansas-Specific Medigap Rules
Kansas Department of Insurance regulates rates
Carriers must file rates with the state. While they can change premiums over time, 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. Not all states do this.
6-month Medigap Open Enrollment
Your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the month you're 65 AND enrolled in Part B, and lasts 6 months. During this window, carriers can't deny you or charge more for health reasons.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Certain situations (loss of employer coverage, plan terminations, moving out of an MA service area) give you the right to buy specific Medigap plans without underwriting.
How Medigap Premiums Are Priced
Three pricing methods exist. Carriers in Kansas may use any of them, and knowing which one applies to your policy helps you anticipate future cost changes.
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 the policy. Younger buyers lock in lower rates. Premium doesn't increase due to age, only inflation and other general factors.
Attained-age rated
Premium starts lower and increases as you age. Cheapest at first but typically the most expensive option long-term.
Same Plan G benefits, different price tags depending on the carrier and pricing method. Shopping across carriers matters.
Adam's Approach To Medigap
The Four Pillar Review applies to Medigap selection: confirm your doctor access (universal with Medigap), match a Part D plan to your medications, set a sustainable monthly budget, and pick a plan structure that fits your travel and lifestyle patterns.
No. Medigap supplements Original Medicare by paying gaps that Medicare doesn't cover. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare with a private plan. You can have one or the other, never both.
Do all Plan G policies cover the same benefits?
Yes. Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. Plan G from one carrier covers exactly the same benefits as Plan G from another carrier. The difference is price and customer service.
Can I be denied Medigap coverage?
Not during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (which starts when you enroll in Part B at 65 or older) or during certain Guaranteed Issue situations. Outside those windows, carriers in Kansas can use medical underwriting.
Does Medigap cover prescriptions?
No. You'll need a separate Part D prescription drug plan. Medigap and Part D are sold separately.
Do I have to use a network with Medigap?
No. Medigap works with any provider who accepts Medicare. No referrals, no networks.
Can I switch Medigap plans later?
In Kansas, switching outside your initial open enrollment usually requires medical underwriting. This means a carrier can ask health questions and could decline coverage.
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.
No pressure, no sales pitch. Just clear answers when you're ready to talk.