Medicare Supplement Plan B: Coverage, Costs, Pros & Cons

Key Takeaways

Medicare Supplement Plan B covers your Part A deductible, Part B co-insurance and Part A hospice care costs.

Plan B costs start at $219 per month for 65-year-olds under Attained Age Pricing.

You get guaranteed coverage rights and the best rates during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Plan B skips skilled nursing facility co-insurance, the Part B deductible and foreign travel emergency coverage.

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan B?

Medicare Supplement Plan B is a Medigap policy sold by private insurers to cover cost gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind. It covers five standard benefits: Part A co-insurance, the Part A deductible, Part B co-insurance, hospice care co-insurance and blood costs. The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period, per CMS.gov, and Plan B covers it in full.

Plan B is standardized by CMS, so its covered benefits are identical regardless of which insurer sells it to you. Private companies such as Aetna, UnitedHealthcare and Humana sell Plan B policies, each setting its own premiums. Rates for the same plan vary by hundreds of dollars per year depending on the insurer, your age and your state.


Plan type	Medigap (Medicare Supplement)
Sold by	Private insurance companies
Works with	Original Medicare (Part A and Part B)
Part A deductible covered	Yes. $1,736 per benefit period in 2026 (CMS.gov)
Part B deductible covered	No. $283 stays out of pocket (CMS.gov)
Prescription drugs covered	No. Requires a separate Part D plan
Network restrictions	None. Any Medicare-participating provider accepts Plan B

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan B Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan B covers five standard benefits defined by CMS for the 2026 plan year. These fill your largest hospital and medical cost gaps: the $1,736 Part A deductible, your 20% share of Part B costs and other cost-sharing items that Original Medicare doesn't pay. Plan B doesn't fill every gap.

Skilled nursing co-insurance, Part B excess charges and foreign travel emergency costs are expenses you pay out of pocket under this plan.

Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026)

The Part A deductible applies at the start of each new benefit period. Plan B covers this cost in full, per CMS.gov. Without Plan B, two hospitalizations in a year can mean two separate $1,736 charges, one per benefit period.

Part A co-insurance and hospital costs (up to 365 additional days)

After Medicare's coverage limit, Plan B pays your Part A co-insurance: $434 per day for hospital days 61 to 90 and $868 per day for lifetime reserve days, per CMS.gov. It also covers up to 365 additional hospital days after your Medicare benefits run out.

Part B co-insurance or copayment

Original Medicare pays 80% of approved outpatient costs. Plan B covers the remaining 20%. After you meet your annual $283 deductible, you owe $0 for covered Part B services, including doctor visits, outpatient surgery and lab tests.

Part A hospice care co-insurance or copayment

For Medicare-covered hospice care, Plan B pays your share of co-insurance and copayment costs. Medicare covers most hospice services directly. Plan B fills the small cost-sharing gap that remains.

First three pints of blood

Medicare doesn't pay for the first three pints of blood used in a covered medical procedure. Plan B covers this cost in both inpatient and outpatient settings.

What Medigap Plan B Doesn't Cover

Plan B skips several benefits included in higher-tier Medigap plans. These gaps create real out-of-pocket exposure in some cases. Without a foreign travel benefit, you pay all international emergency care costs yourself. The Part B deductible applies every year.

If any of these scenarios match your health or lifestyle, a plan with broader coverage may be worth the higher premium.

Part B deductible ($283 per year in 2026, per CMS.gov)
Skilled nursing facility co-insurance ($217 per day for days 21 to 100, according to CMS.gov)
Part B excess charges (amounts above Medicare-approved rates that some providers charge)
Foreign travel emergency care
Prescription drug costs: requires a standalone Medicare Part D plan
Vision, dental and hearing services

What Are the Pros and Cons of Medicare Supplement Plan B?

Medicare Supplement Plan B covers two of Medicare's most common cost gaps at a mid-range monthly premium. It gives you hospital and outpatient cost predictability without the higher monthly cost of Plan G or the extended benefits of Plan D. Some gaps remain: skilled nursing and foreign travel coverage are not included, and you still owe the Part B deductible each year.

Benefits and Disadvantages of Plan B

Covers the full Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026), your largest single hospital cost
Pays 100% of Part B co-insurance after your $283 deductible, so covered medical visits come with no surprise bills
CMS standardizes Plan B benefits, so you get the same five covered services from any insurer
No network restrictions: any provider that accepts Medicare accepts Plan B
Guaranteed renewable as long as you pay your premiums

Doesn't cover the $283 Part B deductible you pay each year (CMS.gov)
No skilled nursing facility co-insurance coverage ($217 per day for days 21 to 100 in 2026)
No foreign travel emergency benefit
Prescription drug costs require a separate Part D plan
Higher monthly premiums than Plan A and Plan N for fewer benefits than Plan G or Plan D

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan B Cost?

Medicare Supplement Plan B premiums depend on your age and your insurer's pricing method. MoneyGeek's analysis of 2026 plan data shows monthly costs range from $219 to $323 per month for 65-year-olds and $297 to $350 per month for 75-year-olds.

Attained Age Pricing starts lower but increases each year as you get older. Issue Age Pricing sets your rate at enrollment and adjusts more slowly over time. Community Pricing charges the same amount regardless of age.

For a broader view of how Plan B compares to other plans on cost, see Medicare Supplement plan costs.


Attained Age	$219	$297
Issue Age	$245	$348
Community	$323	$350

*Plan B doesn't include a built-in out-of-pocket maximum. Plans K and L are the only standardized Medigap plans with defined MOOP limits, per CMS.gov.

How Is Medicare Supplement Plan B Different from Plans A, D, F, N and G?

Medigap Plan B covers the Part A deductible but skips skilled nursing co-insurance, foreign travel emergency and Part B excess charges; benefits that Plans D, F, G and N all include. Plan B adds one benefit to Plan A's baseline and stops there, while each plan above it on the coverage ladder fills at least one more gap, with Plan G offering the most complete coverage for new Medicare members.


Part A co-insurance + hospital days	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Part B co-insurance/copayment	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	Partial**
First 3 pints of blood	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Part A hospice co-insurance	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Part A deductible	✗	✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Skilled nursing co-insurance	✗	✗	✓	✓	✓	✓
Part B deductible	✗	✗	✗	✓	✗	✗
Part B excess charges	✗	✗	✗	✓	✓	✗
Foreign travel emergency	✗	✗	✓	✓	✓	✓

*Plan F isn't available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after Jan. 1, 2020. **Plan N covers Part B co-insurance with exceptions: up to a $20 copay for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in inpatient admission.

Not every Medigap plan fits every situation. Some Medigap plans are no longer sold to new Medicare members but may still be held by current enrollees. Coverage gaps and premium costs are the two most important factors to compare side by side when you're weighing Plan B against the best Medicare Supplement options.


Basic benefits only	Medigap Plan A
Basic benefits plus the Part A deductible	Medigap Plan B, Medigap Plan M
Adds skilled nursing and foreign travel to Plan B	Medigap Plan D
Most comprehensive coverage for new enrollees	Medigap Plan G
Lower premiums with some office and ER copays	Medigap Plan N
Lowest premiums, covers 50%-75% of costs	Medigap Plan K, Medigap Plan L
No longer for sale to new Medicare members	Medigap Plan C, Medigap Plan F

How Can You Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan B?

Buying Medigap Plan B requires active Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment first. Private insurers sell Plan B directly. Contact at least three to compare premiums, since rates for the same plan vary by company, age and state. Medicare's Plan Finder at Medicare.gov lists all Medigap plans available in your area.

Your timing matters: enrolling during your Open Enrollment Period gives you guaranteed access and standard rates. Enrolling outside it may not.

Confirm that Medicare Part A and Part B are active on your account.

Check whether you're in your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period.

Request quotes from at least three insurers. Premiums for Plan B vary by company and state.

Submit your application directly with your chosen insurer. Most applications take 10 to 30 minutes.

Coverage begins on the date your insurer confirms enrollment. Verify that your policy documents list the standard Plan B benefits set by CMS.

BEST TIME TO ENROLL IN MEDIGAP PLAN B

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period runs for six months starting the month you turn 65 and have Medicare Part B, per Medicare.gov. During this window, insurers can't deny you coverage or charge more based on your health history. Outside this period, insurers may apply medical underwriting, which can result in higher premiums, a waiting period or denial of coverage.

Is Medigap Plan B Worth It?

Medigap Plan B is worth the monthly cost for seniors who are hospitalized at least once per year or use Medicare-covered services often. For those who rarely need hospital care, the annual premium of $2,634 to $3,880 may outweigh the Part A deductible protection Plan B provides.

Your health situation and monthly budget determine which Medigap plan fits best.


Seniors with frequent hospital stays	One admission per year costs $1,736 out of pocket. At $219 per month ($2,634 annually) under Attained Age Pricing at 65, Plan B pays for itself after one hospitalization and saves money on any additional admissions in a separate benefit period.	If you're rarely hospitalized, annual Plan B premiums ($2,634 to $3,880 at 65) may exceed what you'd spend on the Part A deductible. Plan A covers Part B co-insurance at a lower monthly cost without the deductible protection.
Seniors on a fixed income	No surprise Part B co-insurance bills. No $1,736 charge at hospital admission. A flat monthly premium makes budgeting predictable on Social Security or pension income when unexpected bills create the most financial pressure.	Community Pricing and Issue Age Pricing for Plan B cost $323 to $350 per month at 65. Plan N may cost less in some markets and covers additional benefits, including skilled nursing co-insurance, that Plan B leaves open.
Seniors with high Part B service use	Every covered doctor visit, lab test and specialist appointment comes with 20% co-insurance under Original Medicare. Plan B covers that 20% in full after your $283 deductible. Seniors seeing multiple providers regularly see the most financial benefit from this coverage.	Plan B doesn't cover skilled nursing facility co-insurance ($217 per day for days 21 to 100 in 2026). Seniors who may need post-acute care after surgery or illness should consider Plan D or Plan G, which cover this gap.

ALTERNATIVES TO MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT PLAN B

Plan B suits many seniors, but other options cover more gaps or cost less depending on your situation.

Medigap Plan D: Adds skilled nursing facility co-insurance and foreign travel emergency coverage to everything Plan B includes.
Medigap Plan G: The most comprehensive Medigap option for new Medicare members, covering all benefits except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medigap Plan N: Lower premiums than Plan B with small copays for some office and ER visits.
Medicare Advantage: A separate path that bundles Parts A, B and often D, usually at lower premiums but with network restrictions. Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap after your initial enrollment window can trigger medical underwriting in most states.

Medicare Supplement Plan B: Bottom Line

Medicare Supplement Plan B covers two of Medicare's largest cost gaps: the $1,736 Part A deductible and your 20% Part B co-insurance. You still owe the $283 Part B deductible and skilled nursing facility costs out of pocket.

At $219 to $350 per month, Plan B works best for seniors who want predictable hospital and medical cost protection without overpaying for benefits they're unlikely to use.

Frequently Asked Questions

We've answered the most frequently asked questions about Medicare Supplement Plan B cost, coverage limits and enrollment timing:

Do you have to pay for Medicare Part B if you have a supplemental plan?

Medigap Plan B doesn't cover your Medicare Part B premium. Most Medicare members pay $202.90 per month in 2026. Plan B covers the 20% Part B co-insurance after your $283 annual deductible, not the premium itself.

What is the Medicare Part A deductible in 2026?

The Medicare Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026. Plan B covers this in full. Without it, you pay the full amount each time a new benefit period begins, which can happen more than once per calendar year.

Can you buy Medigap Plan B if you're under 65?

Federal law doesn't require insurers to sell Medigap to members under 65, but some states mandate access. If you qualify for Medicare due to disability and your state requires it, you can buy Plan B. Premiums are usually higher.

Does Medigap Plan B cover prescription drugs?

Medicare Supplement Plan B doesn't include prescription drug coverage. You need a separate Part D plan for medications. Part D annual enrollment runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 each year.

About Mark Fitzpatrick

Mark Fitzpatrick, a Licensed Property and Casualty Insurance Producer, is MoneyGeek's resident Personal Finance Expert. He has analyzed the insurance market for over five years, conducting original research for insurance shoppers. His insights have been featured in CNBC, NBC News and Mashable.

Fitzpatrick holds a master’s degree in economics and international relations from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree from Boston College. He's also a five-time Jeopardy champion!

He writes about economics and insurance, breaking down complex topics so people know what they're buying.

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