Medicare Supplement

Medigap in Greensboro: What It Covers in 2026

If you're new to Medicare in Greensboro, you may have already noticed the surprise: Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) doesn't pay every bill. It leaves you owing deductibles, coinsurance, and copays that can add up, especially after a hospital stay.

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The gap Medigap is designed to fill

That's the "gap" Medicare Supplement insurance — better known as Medigap — is built to fill. It's private insurance you can buy to help cover some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind.

Here's a plain-language look at how Medigap works, what those letter names mean, and how to think about your options in Guilford County.

What Medigap actually does

Medigap is a supplement, not a replacement. You keep Original Medicare as your primary coverage, and Medigap picks up some of the leftover costs.

Depending on which Medigap policy you choose, it may help pay for:

• Part A hospital coinsurance and some extra hospital days
• Part B coinsurance or copays
• The first three pints of blood each year
• Hospice coinsurance
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A deductible (some plans)
• Part B deductible (only on older plans no longer sold to new enrollees)
• Foreign travel emergency care (some plans)

Medigap does not cover prescription drugs. For that, you'd add a separate Part D drug plan. It also doesn't cover long-term care, dental, vision, hearing aids, or private-duty nursing.

Important: You can't have both Medigap and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time. Medigap works only with Original Medicare.

The standardized letters, explained

This is the part that trips people up. In most states, including North Carolina, Medigap plans are standardized and labeled with letters: A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

"Standardized" means every Plan G, for example, covers the exact same set of benefits, no matter which insurance company sells it. A Plan G from Company X and a Plan G from Company Y offer identical coverage — the difference is price and customer service.

A few things to know:

• 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.
• Plan G and Plan N are the most common choices for newer enrollees.
• Plans K and L have lower premiums but include out-of-pocket limits and cost-sharing.
• High-deductible versions of Plan F and Plan G exist for people who want lower premiums in exchange for paying more up front.

Because benefits are standardized, comparing Medigap really comes down to price, the company's reputation, and how they handle rate increases over time.

Timing matters: your Medigap Open Enrollment

Here's the piece most people wish they'd known earlier.

You get a one-time, six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurance companies must sell you any Medigap policy they offer at their best available rate, regardless of your health history.

Outside that window, in most cases, insurers in North Carolina can use medical underwriting — meaning they can ask health questions, charge more, or turn you down. There are some limited "guaranteed issue" situations, but the safest time to shop is that first six-month window.

This is different from the fall Annual Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7), which is for Part D and Medicare Advantage — not Medigap.

What's available around Greensboro

Greensboro is in Guilford County, where residents on Original Medicare can generally choose among a range of Medigap policies offered by insurance companies licensed to sell in North Carolina. Because Medigap isn't tied to a network, you can typically use any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare — helpful if you split time between Greensboro and family in another state.

For a current list of insurers and rates in your ZIP code, use the Medigap policy search tool at medicare.gov or call the North Carolina SHIIP (the state's SHIP program) for free, unbiased help.

How Medigap fits with Part D and 2026 costs

Medigap doesn't include drug coverage, so most people who buy Medigap also enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan. Some 2026 Part D facts worth knowing:

• The annual out-of-pocket cap for Part D is $2,100 in 2026.
• The maximum Part D deductible is $615.
• The old "donut hole" coverage gap has been eliminated as of 2025; Part D now has three phases.
• The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs over monthly payments instead of paying large amounts at the pharmacy counter.
• Higher-income enrollees may pay IRMAA surcharges on Part B and Part D, starting above $109,000 in income for a single filer in 2026.

A quick FAQ

Do I need Medigap if I already have Medicare Advantage? No. Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It's actually illegal for someone to knowingly sell you a Medigap policy if you're on a Medicare Advantage plan.

Is Medigap the same price everywhere? No. Benefits are standardized by letter, but premiums are set by each insurance company and can vary based on your age, ZIP code, tobacco use, and how the company prices policies (issue-age, attained-age, or community-rated).

Can I switch Medigap plans later? You can apply anytime, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may have to answer health questions and could be denied or charged more. A few situations trigger guaranteed issue rights — worth asking SHIIP about before you switch.

Does Medigap cover dental, vision, or hearing? Generally, no. Those benefits are not part of standardized Medigap coverage. Some people buy separate dental or vision policies to fill that gap.

Where to get trustworthy help

Medigap decisions are personal, and the right answer depends on your health, budget, and how you like to get care. Before you sign anything, use free, unbiased resources:

• Medicare.gov — official plan finder and Medigap policy search
• 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — 24/7 help from Medicare
• North Carolina SHIIP — the state's Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program, offering free one-on-one counseling for Guilford County residents

Take your time, ask questions, and don't let anyone rush you. The right Medigap decision is the one that fits your life — not someone's sales quota.