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Does Blue Cross Offer Medigap Plans?

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 8, 2026

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield companies sell Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans in most states, but each Blue company is independent, so plan letters, prices and discounts depend on your state.

Benefits are the same as any other insurer’s plan with the same letter. For 2027, several Blue companies are cutting or leaving Medicare Advantage, which gives many members guaranteed issue rights to buy Medigap.

See Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Supplement plans and Blue Cross Plan G.

✔ Licensed in all 50 states
✔ Based on CMS 2027 data
✔ Free plan comparison

Key Highlights

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Sold by independent Blue companies.

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Prices vary by state.

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Medigap plans with the same letter have the same benefits from every insurer in your state.

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The 2027 High-Deductible Plan G deductible is $3,050 (CMS).

Compare plans and enroll online

How Blue Cross Medigap Works

Key Points

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Each state’s Blue company sets its own Medigap prices and plan lineup

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Benefits are standardized by plan letter

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Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G are commonly offered, where available

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Plans C and F are only for people eligible before January 1, 2020

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Medicare SELECT versions may be available in some states

What Original Medicare Leaves You to Pay

A Medicare Supplement plan is built to cover the gaps in Original Medicare. These are the costs it can pick up:

Original Medicare Gap What It Means for You Covered By
Part A deductible A deductible for each hospital benefit period, not once a year. It was $1,736 in 2026. Plans B, C, D, F, G and N in full; K, L and M in part
Part A hospital coinsurance Daily charges after day 60 of a hospital stay, rising after day 90 All 10 plans, plus 365 extra hospital days
Part B deductible A yearly deductible before Part B pays. It was $283 in 2026. Only Plans C and F
Part B coinsurance Usually 20% of the approved amount, with no yearly cap All plans (K and L in part, N with copays)
Part B excess charges Up to 15% above the approved amount from doctors who do not take assignment Plans F and G
Skilled nursing coinsurance Daily charges from day 21 to day 100 of a covered stay Plans C, D, F, G, M and N (K and L in part)
Emergency care abroad Original Medicare generally does not cover care outside the U.S. Plans C, D, F, G, M and N, up to plan limits

No cap without a supplement: Original Medicare has no out-of-pocket maximum. Without a Medigap plan or other coverage, there is no limit to the 20% you can owe on Part B services.

Can Medicare Supplement Plans Be Changed at Any Time

All 10 Medigap Plans Compared

Federal law sets exactly what each plan letter covers, so the same letter has the same benefits from every insurer in your state.

Benefit A B C* D F* G K L M N
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to 365 extra days Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Part B coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes***
First 3 pints of blood Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance No No Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% Yes Yes
Part A deductible No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 50% 75% 50% Yes
Part B deductible No No Yes No Yes No No No No No
Part B excess charges No No No No Yes Yes No No No No
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) No No 80% 80% 80% 80% No No 80% 80%
Out-of-pocket limit None None None None None None Yes** Yes** None None

*Plans C and F can only be bought by people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. **Plans K and L have a yearly out-of-pocket limit that Medicare sets each year; after you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year. ***Plan N pays all Part B coinsurance except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not lead to an inpatient admission. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize their plans differently.

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2027 Blue Medicare Advantage Changes and Your Medigap Rights

Blue Company 2027 Medicare Advantage Change Medigap Note
HCSC (BCBS of IL, TX, OK, NM, MT) From 948 to 478 counties; exits CT, KS, MT, NY, OR, UT and DC Members whose plans end generally have guaranteed issue rights
Elevance (Anthem) Pulling plans from 56 counties; exits South Carolina Anthem Medigap is sold in many states it serves
Wellmark (IA, SD) Exiting Medicare Advantage Confirm Medigap options in your state
BCBS North Dakota and BCBS Mississippi Exiting Medicare Advantage Confirm Medigap options in your state
Regence BCBS of Oregon Exiting Medicare Advantage in Douglas, Jackson and Josephine counties Medigap still offered there

Sources: CMS 2027 data as reported by Becker’s and insurers.

Guaranteed issue: if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you generally can buy certain Medicare Supplement plans without health questions, until 63 days after your coverage ends.

Blue Cross Plan G vs Plan N

Plan G

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You pay the Part B deductible, then little or nothing

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Covers Part B excess charges

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Highest premium of the three

Plan N

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You pay the Part B deductible plus small copays

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Does not cover Part B excess charges

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Usually a lower premium than Plan G

High-Deductible G

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You pay up to $3,050 in 2027 before coverage starts

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Then covers like Plan G

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Lowest premium

Choosing the right medicare supplement plan

Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G

These three are the usual picks for people just starting on Medicare. With Plan G, every gap is covered apart from the Part B deductible. Plan N charges a smaller premium in exchange for copays as high as $20 for certain office visits and as high as $50 for ER trips that do not end in admission, and it leaves Part B excess charges uncovered. For 2027, High-Deductible Plan G carries a $3,050 deductible, rising from $2,950, after which it pays like Plan G. Read Plan G vs Plan N.

How Medigap Prices Are Set

Your Age

Many insurers charge more as you get older.

Your ZIP Code

Prices vary by state and area.

Tobacco Use

Tobacco users usually pay more.

Discounts

Household or other discounts, depending on the insurer and state.

Pricing Method How the Premium Is Set Over Time
Community-rated Everyone in an area pays the same premium, regardless of age Does not rise because you get older, but can rise for inflation and other reasons
Issue-age-rated Based on your age when you buy Does not rise because you get older, but can rise for other reasons
Attained-age-rated Based on your current age Rises as you age, on top of other increases

The method depends on the insurer and the state. Ask how a policy is priced before you buy, not just what it costs today.

When You Can Buy

Key Takeaway

Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During it, an insurer cannot deny you or charge more because of your health.

Watch for: outside your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue right, most states let insurers ask health questions and decline you or charge more.

Federal law also gives you guaranteed issue rights in certain situations, generally within 63 days after other coverage ends:

You May Have a Right to Buy If

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Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area or stops serving Medicare

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You joined Medicare Advantage when first eligible at 65 and want to switch back within the first year

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You dropped a Medigap policy to try Medicare Advantage for the first time and want to return within a year

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Your employer or union coverage that pays after Medicare ends

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Your Medigap insurer goes bankrupt or misleads you

State rules can give you more: New York and Connecticut allow Medigap enrollment year-round without health questions, and states such as California and Oregon give yearly windows to switch to an equal or lesser plan.

What Medigap Does Not Cover

Not Covered by Medigap

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Prescription drugs: add a standalone Part D plan

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Routine dental care, eye exams for glasses, and hearing aids

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Long-term custodial care in a nursing home or at home

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Private-duty nursing

For 2027, a standalone Part D plan has a maximum deductible of $700 and an out-of-pocket cap of $2,400. Buy one when you buy Medigap to avoid a lifelong late enrollment penalty.

Medigap vs Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage Original Medicare + Medigap
Monthly premium Often low or $0 (2027 average $12, CMS) Higher; varies by plan letter, age and ZIP
Doctors Usually a network Any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare
Costs when you get care Copays and coinsurance up to a yearly maximum Low and predictable; little or nothing on Plan G after the Part B deductible
Drug coverage Usually included Add a separate Part D plan
Dental, vision, hearing Many plans may include some coverage Not included
Changing later Every year during Annual Enrollment Health questions in most states after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

How to Buy

Step by Step

1

Pick your plan letter. Most people compare Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G.

2

Ask Blue Cross Blue Shield for a quote on that letter. Then get quotes for the same letter from other insurers.

3

Ask about pricing method and rate history. How the premium changes over time matters as much as today’s price.

4

Time your purchase. Buy during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue window if you can.

5

Add a Part D plan. Medigap does not cover drugs.

Married couples: each spouse needs a separate policy; some insurers offer a household discount.

Turning 65 in 2027

If you turn 65 in 2027, your Initial Enrollment Period lasts seven months: the three months before your birthday month, your birthday month and the three months after. Signing up during the first three months means your coverage starts on the first day of your birthday month.

Turning 65 Checklist

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Sign up for Part A and Part B, unless you have qualifying employer coverage and choose to delay Part B

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Decide between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap

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Join a drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage plan with drugs, to avoid a Part D late penalty

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If you choose Medigap, buy during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Help Paying Medicare Costs

If your income and savings are limited, two programs can cut your Medicare costs sharply:

Medicare Savings Programs

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Run by your state Medicaid office

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Can pay your Part B premium, and sometimes deductibles and coinsurance

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Income and asset limits vary by state

Extra Help (Part D)

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Run by Social Security

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Lowers Part D premiums, deductibles and copays

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People in a Medicare Savings Program qualify automatically

Those who are eligible for Medicare along with full Medicaid might also have the option of enrolling in a Dual Special Needs Plan. Learn more about help for low-income Part D beneficiaries.

Plans K and L: Lower Premiums With a Cost Cap

Plans K and L pay a share of most costs instead of all of them: Plan K pays 50% and Plan L pays 75% of most cost sharing, after which you pay the rest. In exchange for lower premiums, both have a yearly out-of-pocket limit that Medicare sets each year. Once you reach it, the plan pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.

These plans can suit people who want catastrophic protection at a lower premium and can handle some costs along the way. Ask whether your insurer offers Plan K or L in your state.

Plans C and F for Earlier Enrollees

Plans C and F are the only plans that cover the Part B deductible. Since January 1, 2020, they cannot be sold to people newly eligible for Medicare. If you were eligible for Medicare before that date, even if you did not enroll, you may still be able to buy Plan C or F, including a High-Deductible Plan F with the same $3,050 deductible for 2027.

For most people who can buy either, compare the yearly premium difference between Plan F and Plan G with the Part B deductible. If Plan F costs more than the deductible saves you, Plan G is the better value.

Getting Help

You do not have to compare plans alone, and you should not have to pay for help. These are the free options:

Free Help Comparing Plans

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Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, available any time

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1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), available 24 hours a day, seven days a week

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Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which offers free, unbiased counseling

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A licensed insurance agent or broker, who can compare plans from several insurers at no cost to you

Before any call, have your Medicare card, your list of drugs and doses, your doctors and your preferred pharmacies ready. It turns a long conversation into a short one.

Bottom Line

The Bottom Line

Blue Cross Blue Shield companies sell Medigap in most states. Compare your local Blue company’s price for the same letter with other insurers, and use any guaranteed issue right if your Blue Medicare Advantage plan is ending.

Compare plans and enroll online

Frequently Asked Questions

➤ Does Blue Cross offer Medigap plans?

Yes. Blue Cross Blue Shield companies sell Medigap plans in most states, but each Blue company is independent, so plan letters, prices, discounts and pricing methods depend on your state. Confirm what your local Blue company offers for your ZIP code.

➤ Are Blue Cross Medigap plans the same in every state?

Benefits for a given plan letter are standardized, so Plan G covers the same gaps everywhere, except in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin, which use their own designs. Prices and available letters differ by state and Blue company.

➤ Is Blue Cross Medigap better than other insurers?

Not automatically. Benefits are identical for the same letter, so compare your Blue company’s price, pricing method, rate history and discounts with other insurers. The best value is the one that stays affordable over time.

➤ Which Blue companies are leaving Medicare Advantage for 2027?

Wellmark in Iowa and South Dakota, BCBS North Dakota and BCBS Mississippi are exiting Medicare Advantage. HCSC is cutting from 948 to 478 counties, and Elevance is pulling plans from 56 counties and leaving South Carolina.

➤ Can I buy Blue Cross Medigap if my Blue Medicare Advantage plan ends?

Generally yes. If your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you have a guaranteed issue right to buy certain Medigap plans without health questions, generally until 63 days after coverage ends. You can buy from a Blue company or another insurer.

➤ Did Cigna’s Medigap plans move to Blue Cross?

HCSC bought Cigna’s Medicare business, now called HealthSpring, but we have not verified how Cigna’s Medigap policies are handled. Confirm which company issues your policy by checking your policy documents or calling the number on your card.

➤ Does Blue Cross Medigap include drug coverage?

No. No Medigap plan sold today includes drug coverage, including Blue Cross policies. Add a standalone Part D plan from any insurer; for 2027 the maximum Part D deductible is $700 and the out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs is $2,400.

➤ Is Regence still selling Medigap in southern Oregon?

Yes. Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon is leaving Medicare Advantage in Jackson, Josephine and Douglas counties, affecting about 12,000 people, but it still offers Medigap there. Affected members can use guaranteed issue rights to compare plans.

➤ When is the best time to buy Blue Cross Medigap?

The best time is your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed issue window. Outside those times, most states let insurers, including Blue companies, ask health questions and decline you or charge more for health conditions.

Have Questions?

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716

TTY users 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

Find & Compare Plans Online

Speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-398-0716TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 8am-9pm ET

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