What do the Medicare Supplement letters like G and N mean?

Each letter is a standard set of benefits. Today's plans are A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N and a high-deductible G. A Plan G covers the same things whichever company sells it, so you're comparing price and service. If you became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plans C and F aren't available to you.

More detail

Here's what that means in real life. A Plan G from one company covers the same things as a Plan G from another, but the monthly price can be very different. So it makes sense to choose the letter first, then compare companies.

Also ask how the price is set. Some policies charge everyone the same, some are based on your age when you buy, and some go up as you get older. That can make a big difference years from now.

Things people often don't realize: • A Supplement covers only one person, so spouses each need their own • Supplements generally don't cover dental, vision, hearing aids or long-term care • They can't be sold with drug coverage, so you add a Part D plan • Plans K and L have a yearly out-of-pocket limit

What to have ready: your Part B start date and how you like to use doctors.

I'm happy to compare the letters and the companies with you.