Medicare Supplement
Attained-age vs. issue-age: how Medigap prices really work
In Bethel Park, a lot of readers ask a fair question about Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans: if the benefits inside a Medigap policy are set by law and can't change, why does the premium sometimes go up year after year? The answer comes down to how the insurer prices the policy in the first place. There are three main pricing methods — community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated — and knowing the difference can help you make a more confident choice.
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Key takeaways
- Medigap benefits are standardized by law, but premiums are not — insurers set prices using one of three methods.
- The three pricing methods are community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated, and each ages differently over time.
- Even the "no age increase" methods can still rise due to inflation, claims experience, and other factors.
- Which methods are offered depends on the insurer and your state, so compare carefully and use official resources like medicare.gov and your local SHIP.
What Medigap actually is
Medigap is private insurance that helps pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind — things like coinsurance and deductibles. The plans are labeled with letters (Plan A, Plan G, Plan N, and so on), and the benefits inside each lettered plan are the same from company to company. That's the part the federal government standardizes.
What is not standardized is the price. Two insurers can sell the exact same Plan G with the exact same benefits and charge very different premiums. That's where the pricing method comes in.
The three pricing methods, in plain English
Community-rated (also called "no-age-rated"). Everyone who buys the same Medigap policy from that insurer pays the same base premium, no matter how old they are. A 65-year-old and an 80-year-old on the same plan pay the same starting price. The premium can still go up over time — but not because you personally got older.
Issue-age-rated (also called "entry-age-rated"). Your premium is based on the age you were when you first bought the policy. If you buy at 65, your rate is tied to age 65 and doesn't climb just because you had a birthday. Buy the same policy at 72, and your starting rate will generally be higher — but again, it won't rise from personal aging after that.
Attained-age-rated. Your premium is based on your current age and is designed to increase as you get older. It often starts out as the lowest of the three at age 65, then steps up over the years. Over a long retirement, those step-ups can add up.
Why premiums can rise even when benefits can't
This is the part that surprises people. Federal rules keep the benefits inside each lettered Medigap plan the same year to year. But the premium can still change, and here's why:
- Inflation and general medical costs. As the price of care rises, insurers adjust rates.
- Claims experience. If the pool of people on that plan uses more care than expected, premiums can be adjusted for everyone in the pool.
- Age (only with attained-age policies). With this method, your birthday itself is a built-in reason for an increase.
So even a community-rated or issue-age-rated policy can go up over time — just not because you personally got a year older.
How to decide which method fits you
There's no single "right" answer, and the method that looks cheapest today isn't always the one that costs less over 20 years. A few things to think about:
- Your time horizon. If you're 65 and healthy, an attained-age policy might feel like a bargain now but grow more expensive later. Issue-age or community-rated policies may start higher but age more gently.
- Your budget stability. If you want the most predictable premium as you age, community-rated and issue-age-rated policies tend to be steadier on the age front.
- What's actually available. Not every insurer offers all three methods, and state rules vary — some states require one specific method for all Medigap sales. Ask each insurer which method they use before you compare prices.
Bethel Park is in Allegheny County, and Medigap availability, along with the pricing methods insurers can use, is set at the state and insurer level rather than by ZIP code. So when you shop, you're comparing the Pennsylvania rules and the specific carriers licensed to sell there.
A quick word on timing
Your best window to buy Medigap is the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that starts the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B. During that window, insurers can't turn you down or charge you more for health reasons. Outside that window, in most states, they can — and that can matter more than the pricing method itself.
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 Allegheny County
(MA penetration in Allegheny 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
Does the pricing method change what my Medigap plan covers?
Which pricing method is cheapest?
Can my Medigap premium go up even if I stay healthy?
Where can I get personalized help?
- CMS — Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Also for Bethel Park
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This page was last updated: September 2026.