Medicare Supplement
Bozeman's Guide to Medigap Plan Letters A Through N
Bozeman, Montana — If you've ever tried to compare Medicare Supplement plans, you've probably run into a wall of letters: Plan A, Plan G, Plan N, and more. It looks confusing, but there's a simple idea behind it. Those letters are a federal shorthand, and once you know how they work, choosing gets easier.
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Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Medigap letters like Plan A, G, or N are standardized, so the same letter covers the same core benefits no matter which company sells it, though price and service can differ.
- Montana uses the standard federal lettering system, and new enrollees can choose from Plans A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N, while Plans C and F are only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020.
- The best time to buy a Medigap policy is during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B, since insurers can't deny you or charge more for health conditions during that time.
- After that enrollment window closes, companies can usually use medical underwriting, so it helps to plan early and check with Montana's free SHIP counselors before switching plans.
Here's a plain-language walkthrough for readers in Bozeman and the surrounding Gallatin County area.
What Medigap actually does
Medicare Supplement Insurance — often called Medigap — is a private policy that works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It doesn't replace Medicare. Instead, it helps pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, like coinsurance, copayments, and certain deductibles.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It does not pair with a Medicare Advantage plan.
- You generally pay a monthly premium to the insurance company, on top of your Part B premium.
- Medigap policies typically don't include prescription drug coverage. For that, most people add a separate Part D plan.
Why the plans come with letters
Here's the part that trips people up. In most states, Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. That means Plan G from one insurance company has to cover the same core benefits as Plan G from any other insurance company. The letter tells you what's covered — the company just sells it.
So if two carriers both offer Plan N, the benefits inside that plan are the same. What can differ is the price, the customer service, and things like household discounts.
Montana follows the standard federal lettering system. (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin do things a little differently.)
The letters you'll see today
New enrollees can currently choose from these standardized plans: A, B, D, G, K, L, M, and N. Plans C and F are still available, but only to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. That change came from a federal law that stopped newer Medigap plans from covering the Part B deductible.
Each letter offers a different mix of coverage. For example:
- Some plans cover the Part A hospital deductible in full; others cover a portion.
- Some help with skilled nursing coinsurance; some don't.
- A couple of plans (K and L) have yearly out-of-pocket limits, which the others don't.
- Plan N generally has smaller copays for some office and emergency room visits.
Medicare.gov publishes a full side-by-side chart showing exactly what each letter includes. That chart is the single best tool for comparing.
How to decide which letter fits you
There's no universal "right" plan — it depends on how you use care and what kind of predictability you want. A few questions worth asking yourself:
1. How often do you see doctors or specialists? If you expect frequent visits, more comprehensive coverage may feel worth the higher premium. 2. Do you want the fewest surprises possible? Some letters cover almost everything Original Medicare leaves behind, so bills at the mailbox are rare. 3. Are you comfortable with some cost-sharing to keep the premium lower? Plans like K, L, and N shift more day-to-day costs to you in exchange for a lower monthly bill. 4. Do you travel outside the U.S.? Certain letters include limited foreign travel emergency coverage. 5. Is your budget steady or tight? A higher-premium plan means more predictable bills; a lower-premium plan means more variable ones.
Timing matters — a lot
The best window to buy a Medigap policy is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, a six-month stretch that starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurance companies can't turn you down or charge you more because of health conditions.
After that window closes, you can still apply, but in most cases the company can use medical underwriting. That's a big deal, and it's why people are encouraged to think about Medigap early.
Bozeman is in Gallatin County, and Montana residents have the same federal Medigap protections as everyone else. State-specific rules on switching plans later can vary, so it's smart to check with Montana's SHIP counselors (the state's free Medicare help program) before making changes.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Gallatin County
(MA penetration in Gallatin County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
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The parts of Medicare
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When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Is Plan G the same at every company?
Can I have Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time?
Does Medigap cover my prescriptions?
- CMS — Medicare basics (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.