Is Your Medigap Plan Getting Too Expensive? You May Have Options

Bakary Malang • September 15, 2026

If your Medigap (Medicare Supplement) premium keeps increasing, you don't necessarily have to accept the higher cost without exploring your options.


What Does Medigap Do?


With Original Medicare (Parts A & B), you may still be responsible for deductibles and coinsurance. For example, Medicare Part B generally pays 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services after the deductible, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%.


A Medigap plan can help pay some of these out-of-pocket costs, depending on which standardized plan you have. Medigap and Medicare Supplement Insurance refer to the same type of coverage.


When Is the Best Time to Buy Medigap?


Your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally begins when you're 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers generally can't use medical underwriting to deny you a Medigap policy or charge you more because of health problems.


People under 65 who qualify for Medicare because of disability may have different Medigap rights depending on their state.


Can I Change Medigap Companies?


Yes. You can apply for another Medigap policy at any time of year—you don't have to wait for Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period.


However, outside certain guaranteed-issue situations, the new insurance company may be allowed to ask health questions and use medical underwriting. The company will determine whether it will accept your application and what premium applies under state law.


Don't cancel your current Medigap coverage until your new coverage has been approved and you understand when it starts.


Is Your Medigap Premium Too High?


We can help you compare your current premium with other Medigap companies available in your area.


You may also want to compare Medigap with Medicare Advantage (Part C). These are two very different ways of receiving Medicare coverage, so it's important to compare more than just the monthly premium—including your doctors, prescriptions, networks, copays and potential out-of-pocket costs.


Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, October 15–December 7, is one opportunity to make certain Medicare Advantage and Part D changes for January 1.


Let's Review Your Options


Don't change coverage based on price alone. Let's look at the complete picture and see whether another option may better fit your healthcare needs and budget.

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Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage icon with pills and Rx symbol

Why Are Medicare Drug Plans Getting More Expensive?

By Ronald Rivers • September 15, 2026
The Part D Math Has Changed Medicare Part D is giving beneficiaries more protection—but that protection changed who pays the drug bill. Since 2025, the IRA has capped beneficiaries’ annual out-of-pocket drug spending and eliminated beneficiary cost-sharing in the catastrophic phase. At the same time, Part D plans now typically pay 60% of catastrophic drug costs, compared with only 15% before the redesign. What Happened to Pharma? Drug manufacturers actually did pay more in one part of the old system: they provided a 70% discount on brand drugs in the old “donut hole.” The IRA eliminated that coverage gap. Manufacturers now generally contribute 10% during initial coverage and 20% in catastrophic coverage for applicable drugs. So pharma’s responsibility changed rather than simply disappearing. Why Are PDP Choices Shrinking? That leaves insurance companies carrying much more risk for expensive prescriptions. This helps explain why standalone PDP choices have fallen—from about 30 plans for the average beneficiary in 2021 to 11 in 2026—and why carriers are watching premiums, deductibles and benefits more closely. Medicare drug negotiation helps by lowering prices on selected high-cost drugs, including 15 additional drugs in 2027, but it does not remove all of these cost pressures. What Should You Do? Use a Broker who will Review your Part D plan every year—compare your medications, pharmacy, premium and total yearly cost, not just the monthly premium. Sources: CMS Part D Redesign | KFF Inflation Reduction Act Analysis | KFF Stand-Alone Part D Market Analysis