Medicare Supplement

The federal standardization behind Medigap plans in Cheyenne

CHEYENNE, Wyo. — If you've ever tried to shop for a Medicare Supplement policy, you've probably run into a wall of letters: Plan A, Plan G, Plan N, and several in between. The good news? Those letters aren't marketing labels. They're a federal standardization system designed to make Medigap easier — not harder — to compare.

Here's a plain-English guide to what Medigap does, how the letters work, and where Cheyenne residents can go for personal help.

What Medigap Actually Does

Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement Insurance, is a private policy that works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It helps pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind — things like coinsurance, copayments, and certain deductibles.

A few key points to remember:

• Medigap only works with Original Medicare. It does not work with Medicare Advantage.
• Medigap does not include prescription drug coverage. For that, you'd need a separate Part D plan.
• You pay a monthly premium to the private insurance company, on top of your Part B premium.

Why the Letters Exist

Before standardization, Medigap policies were a confusing mix of benefits that varied wildly from one company to another. To fix that, federal law now requires most Medigap policies to fit into standardized "plan letters." In most states, including Wyoming, plans are labeled A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N.

Here's the important part: the benefits inside each lettered plan are the same, no matter which insurance company sells it. A Plan G from one carrier covers the same core services as a Plan G from another carrier. What can differ is the price and the customer service.

That's why Medicare.gov encourages beneficiaries to compare Medigap plans by letter first, then shop for the best price and company reputation.

What Each Letter Generally Covers

Every standardized Medigap plan covers a base set of benefits — for example, Part A hospital coinsurance. From there, coverage gets broader as you move through the alphabet. Some plans, like K and L, cover a percentage of certain costs rather than the full amount. Plan N uses small copays for some office and ER visits.

Two notes worth flagging:

• Plans C and F are no longer available 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 (like G and F) exist, offering a lower premium in exchange for a higher yearly deductible.

For a benefit-by-benefit chart, Medicare.gov keeps an up-to-date comparison at medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap.

When You Can Buy a Medigap Policy

The best time to buy is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six-month window that starts 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 history.

Outside that window, in most states you can be medically underwritten, meaning a carrier can review your health and decline coverage or raise your premium. This is one of the most important — and most misunderstood — rules in Medicare.

Cheyenne and Laramie County: Where to Get Help

Cheyenne is in Laramie County, where beneficiaries have access to multiple Medigap carriers licensed to sell in Wyoming. Because Medigap is regulated at both the federal and state level, availability and pricing can shift year to year.

For unbiased, one-on-one help, Wyoming residents can contact the Wyoming State Health Insurance Information Program (WSHIIP), the state's SHIP. SHIP counselors are trained volunteers who do not sell insurance and don't earn commissions.

How Medigap Fits with 2026 Medicare Changes

While Medigap itself is stable, other parts of Medicare are changing in 2026. Part D now has a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on covered prescription drugs, and the maximum Part D deductible is $615. The old "donut hole" was eliminated in 2025, leaving three payment phases. Beneficiaries can also opt into the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan to spread drug costs across the year.

If your income is above $109,000 (single filer, 2026), you may pay an IRMAA surcharge on Part B and Part D. None of this affects Medigap directly, but it changes the overall picture of what you'll pay out of pocket.