Medicare Supplement

Post Falls guide to Medicare Supplement plan letters

In Post Falls, turning 65 often comes with a stack of mail and a lot of confusing letters — Plan A, Plan G, Plan N. Those letters aren't random. They're part of a system that makes Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance easier to compare, once you know how it works.

This guide walks through what Medigap does, why the letters matter, and where to go for answers you can trust.

What Medigap actually does

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pays for a big share of your hospital and doctor costs, but not all of it. You're still on the hook for things like the Part A hospital deductible, the 20% coinsurance under Part B, and certain other charges — and Original Medicare has no yearly out-of-pocket limit.

A Medigap policy is sold by a private insurance company and sits alongside Original Medicare. When Medicare pays its share of an approved bill, your Medigap plan can pick up some or all of what's left, depending on the plan letter you choose.

Medigap is different from Medicare Advantage (Part C). You can't have both at the same time. Medigap works with Original Medicare, not on top of an Advantage plan.

Why the plan letters exist

Before standardization, comparing Medigap policies was nearly impossible — every company designed its own. Today, in most states (including Idaho), Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government and identified by letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

Here's the key idea: a Plan G is a Plan G, no matter who sells it. The benefits inside each lettered plan are the same across companies. What can differ is the monthly premium, the customer service, and how the company raises rates over time.

That's why comparing Medigap really comes down to two questions: which letter fits your needs, and which company offers a fair price for that letter.

How the letters differ

Each letter covers a different mix of gaps. Some plans cover nearly everything Original Medicare leaves behind; others cover less in exchange for a lower premium. A few plans include an out-of-pocket maximum, which Original Medicare on its own does not have.

Two notes worth knowing:

• Plans C and F are no longer sold to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date, you may still be able to buy them.
• High-deductible versions of some plans exist, which trade lower premiums for a higher yearly deductible before the plan begins paying.

The official "Choosing a Medigap Policy" guide at medicare.gov lays out a side-by-side chart of what each letter covers. It's the clearest tool available and worth reading before you talk to any agent.

What Medigap does not cover

Medigap is designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare — not to expand coverage into new areas. Most Medigap plans do not cover:

• Prescription drugs (you'd add a stand-alone Part D plan)
• Routine dental, vision, or hearing care
• Long-term care, like a nursing home stay beyond what Medicare allows
• Private-duty nursing

If drug coverage matters to you, remember that Part D has its own rules. For 2026, the Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100, the maximum deductible is $615, and the old "donut hole" is gone — replaced by three simpler phases. The optional Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread drug costs across the year in monthly amounts.

Timing matters more than most people realize

The single most important date for Medigap shoppers is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a one-time, six-month window that begins the month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurance companies can't turn you down or charge you more because of your health.

Outside that window, in most states, companies can use medical underwriting. That means a health condition could raise your premium — or keep you from getting the plan you want at all.

This is different from the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31), which apply to Advantage and Part D plans, not Medigap.

Getting local help in Post Falls

Post Falls is in Kootenai County, where residents have access to both Medigap policies and Medicare Advantage plans through a range of private carriers. County-level availability changes each year, so it's worth checking current options before you decide.

For unbiased, personalized help, Idaho residents can contact the Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) program — Idaho's SHIP. Counselors are trained volunteers who don't sell insurance and don't earn commissions. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit medicare.gov to compare plans and read the official Medigap guide.