Medicare Supplement

Medigap Plan Letters Explained for Buffalo Seniors

BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), you've probably noticed it doesn't cover everything. You still pay deductibles, coinsurance, and other out-of-pocket costs. That's where a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy — better known as Medigap — can help.

What Medigap actually does

Medigap is private insurance you buy on top of Original Medicare. It helps pay some of the costs Medicare leaves behind, like the 20% coinsurance for doctor visits or the Part A hospital deductible. It does not work with Medicare Advantage plans; it's designed to pair with Original Medicare.

For readers in Buffalo, which sits in Erie County, Medigap works the same way it does across New York State — but New York has some special rules we'll cover below.

Why the letters exist

Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. That means a Plan G sold by one company covers the exact same core benefits as a Plan G sold by another company. The letters — A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N — each describe a set benefit package.

According to Medicare.gov, this standardization was created so shoppers could compare plans on price and customer service, not on confusing benefit charts. If two carriers both sell Plan N, the medical benefits are identical. What can differ is the monthly premium and the company behind it.

A quick note: Plans C and F are no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, because those plans covered the Part B deductible. If you were eligible before that date, you may still be able to buy them.

A quick tour of the letters

Here's a plain-language look at what the standardized plans generally cover. For the full benefit chart, visit Medicare.gov.

• Plan A — The most basic package. Covers core benefits like Part A coinsurance and the first three pints of blood.
• Plan B — Plan A's benefits plus the Part A deductible.
• Plan D — Broader coverage, including skilled nursing coinsurance and foreign travel emergency help.
• Plan G — One of the most comprehensive options available to newly eligible enrollees today. Covers nearly everything except the Part B deductible.
• Plans K and L — Lower-premium options that share costs with you up to a yearly out-of-pocket limit.
• Plan M — Splits the Part A deductible with you.
• Plan N — Similar to Plan G but with small copays for some office and ER visits.

Remember: Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage. For that, you'd add a stand-alone Part D plan.

What's different about New York

New York is one of a handful of states with continuous open enrollment and community rating for Medigap. In plain English:

• Insurers in New York generally can't turn you down for a Medigap policy based on your health.
• You can apply year-round, not just during your one-time federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period.
• Premiums aren't based on your age — everyone in the same plan with the same carrier pays the same rate.

That's a meaningful difference from most other states, where medical underwriting can block people with health conditions from switching plans later. Buffalo residents have more flexibility to shop and change, though premiums here still vary by carrier.

How to decide which letter fits

Start by asking yourself a few honest questions:

1. How much predictability do I want? Plans like G offer fewer surprise bills. Plans like K, L, or N keep premiums lower but ask you to share more costs. 2. Do I travel? Several plans include foreign travel emergency coverage — useful if you spend time outside the U.S. 3. What's my budget for premiums vs. out-of-pocket costs? A higher monthly premium usually means lower costs when you use care, and vice versa. 4. Do I need drug coverage? If yes, plan on adding a separate Part D policy. In 2026, Part D has a $2,100 out-of-pocket cap and a maximum deductible of $615, and the old coverage gap is gone.

For unbiased, one-on-one help, contact New York's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — locally known as HIICAP (Health Insurance Information, Counseling and Assistance Program). Erie County residents can reach HIICAP through the Erie County Department of Senior Services.