Medigap Plan C
Understand Plan C benefits and eligibility restrictions for newer Medicare beneficiaries.
Plan C benefit schedule
Plan C includes the common core, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, both Part A and Part B deductibles, and limited foreign-travel emergencies. The same standardized letter has the same basic benefits among companies in most states. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize differently; confirm the policy offered in your state.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare & You 2027, Medigap section (2026 chart) ↗
Costs this letter leaves open
Plan C does not include Part B excess charges. A Medigap policy pays only for its listed share of Medicare-covered services; the presence of a policy does not make an otherwise excluded service eligible. Review the chart row by row before quoting a monthly premium.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare: Medigap coverage ↗
The decision point for Plan C
Plan C is restricted to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Being offered another letter does not automatically establish this grandfathered eligibility. For qualifying buyers, its Part B deductible coverage is the major distinction from Plan D.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap plan benefits ↗ · Medicare: 2026 costs ↗
Timing and eligibility
In addition to the ordinary Medigap purchase rules, Plan C is generally unavailable to a person first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. If you had Medicare eligibility before that date, confirm the exact purchase right and state availability before applying.
Official source: Medicare: Buying Medigap ↗
Quote and enrollment checks
Request the premium for Plan C in your ZIP code from each available insurer, with its rating method, household discounts, projected age increases and effective date. Part B premium remains payable; newly sold Medigap coverage does not supply Part D drugs, so price a separate drug plan when needed. Verify providers accept Medicare rather than treating a Medigap company as an Advantage network.
Official source: Medicare: Medigap costs ↗ · Medicare: How Medigap works ↗ · Medicare: Compare plans ↗