Plan L is a partial-coverage Medigap option that pays 75% of most Medicare cost-sharing categories and caps annual out-of-pocket exposure at $4,000 in 2026. Because Plan L is federally standardized, its benefits are identical regardless of which insurer sells it. Plan L and Plan K are the only two Medigap plans with a federally regulated out-of-pocket limit. Most other Medigap plans either cover 100% of gaps or impose no limit at all.
Medicare Supplement Plan L: Coverage, Costs, Pros and Cons
Updated: March 23, 2026
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Key Takeaways
Plan L covers 75% of Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospice care costs, 75% of the Part A deductible, 75% of Part B coinsurance, and 75% of the first three pints of blood, but doesn't cover Part B excess charges or foreign travel emergencies.
The 2026 Plan L out-of-pocket limit is $4,000. Once you reach this threshold, Plan L pays 100% of covered Medicare costs for the rest of the year.
Plan L premiums are lower than Plan G and Plan F but higher than Plan K. The right fit depends on how much cost-sharing exposure you can absorb.
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan L?
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan L Cover?
Medicare Supplement Plan L covers 75% of four major Medicare cost-sharing categories: hospital coinsurance, the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and blood costs, plus 100% of Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance.
Hospital Care Coinsurance: 75% Covered
Plan L pays 75% of Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for inpatient stays up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted. You're responsible for the remaining 25% unless you reach your annual out-of-pocket limit.
Part A Deductible: 75% Covered
Plan L covers 75% of the Medicare Part A deductible, which is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026. You pay the remaining 25% ($434) unless your out-of-pocket spending has already reached the $4,000 annual limit.
Part B Coinsurance and Copayments — 75% Covered
Plan L pays 75% of the 20% coinsurance Medicare charges for outpatient services, doctor visits, durable medical equipment, and other Part B-covered services. The remaining 25% of your Part B coinsurance obligation is your responsibility.
Blood (First 3 Pints): 75% Covered
Medicare doesn't cover the first three pints of blood used in a medical procedure each year. Plan L covers 75% of that cost, limiting your out-of-pocket exposure on this benefit.
Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance: 100% Covered
Plan L covers 100% of Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance and copayments, consistent with most other Medigap plans. This is one of the few benefits Plan L covers at the full 100% rate rather than the standard 75%.
What Doesn't Medicare Supplement Plan L Cover?
Medicare Supplement Plan L doesn't cover Part B excess charges, foreign travel emergencies, vision, dental or hearing. You're also required to pay 25% of most Medicare cost-sharing gaps until you reach annual out-of-pocket limit.
Part B Excess Charges
Foreign Travel Emergency
Unlike Plan G, Plan D, and several other Medigap plans, Plan L doesn't cover emergency care received outside the United States.
Vision, Dental, and Hearing
Like all Medigap plans, Plan L doesn't cover routine vision exams, eyeglasses, dental care, or hearing aids. Original Medicare also excludes these services. If you need these benefits, consider standalone supplemental plans or Medicare Advantage, which often bundles them.
Your 25% Cost-Sharing Share
Plan L isn't a full-coverage plan. You're responsible for 25% of covered cost-sharing categories, including the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and hospital costs, until annual out-of-pocket spending reaches $4,000. After that threshold, Plan L covers 100% of covered costs for the rest of the calendar year.
How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan L Cost?
Plan L averages $169 per month for a 65-year-old and $217 per month for a 75-year-old nationwide. Hawaii offers the lowest entry point at $122 monthly for 65-year-olds, while Florida tops the list at age 75 with a $299 monthly premium. In several states, including New York, Connecticut and Maine, costs don't rise with age. Those markets use community or issue-age pricing that keeps rates flat no matter when you enroll.
Alabama | $158 | $209 |
Alaska | $142 | $194 |
Arizona | $191 | $245 |
Arkansas | $231 | $231 |
California | $166 | $251 |
Colorado | $163 | $211 |
Connecticut | $183 | $183 |
Delaware | $148 | $197 |
Florida | $233 | $299 |
Georgia | $186 | $250 |
Hawaii | $122 | $166 |
Idaho | $184 | $184 |
Illinois | $172 | $224 |
Indiana | $154 | $202 |
Iowa | $149 | $197 |
Kansas | $155 | $203 |
Kentucky | $179 | $234 |
Louisiana | $173 | $231 |
Maine | $198 | $198 |
Maryland | $189 | $249 |
Michigan | $171 | $224 |
Mississippi | $171 | $227 |
Missouri | $177 | $254 |
Montana | $154 | $206 |
Nebraska | $170 | $227 |
Nevada | $191 | $253 |
New Hampshire | $189 | $258 |
New Jersey | $175 | $216 |
New Mexico | $148 | $195 |
New York | $281 | $281 |
North Carolina | $143 | $210 |
North Dakota | $135 | $204 |
Ohio | $158 | $205 |
Oklahoma | $133 | $174 |
Oregon | $141 | $211 |
Pennsylvania | $188 | $216 |
Rhode Island | $146 | $198 |
South Carolina | $142 | $200 |
South Dakota | $154 | $202 |
Tennessee | $174 | $234 |
Texas | $174 | $235 |
Utah | $132 | $199 |
Vermont | $168 | $168 |
Virginia | $162 | $202 |
Washington | $193 | $193 |
Washington D.C. | $163 | $220 |
West Virginia | $154 | $210 |
Wyoming | $162 | $218 |
Who Should Choose Medicare Supplement Plan L?
Medicare Supplement Plan L suits people who want protection against catastrophic cost exposure but are willing to absorb a predictable 25% share of routine cost-sharing in exchange for a lower monthly premium. With the $4,000 annual out-of-pocket limit, Plan L a fit if you're on a fixed income with moderate health care utilization.
If you frequently see specialists or have hospitalizations, Plan G's full coverage is worth the higher premium. If you travel internationally, you'll need a plan with a foreign travel emergency benefit, which Plan L doesn't offer.
How Does Plan L Compare to Other Medigap Plans?
Plan K covers 50% of most gaps, while Plan L covers 75%. The 2026 Plan K out-of-pocket limit is $8,000, double Plan L's $4,000. Plan L's lower limit provides stronger catastrophic protection but comes at a higher monthly premium.
Plan G covers 100% of nearly all Medicare gaps except the Part B deductible. Plan L covers only 75% of most gaps but costs less per month. If your expected annual 25% cost-sharing under Plan L exceeds the premium difference between the two plans, Plan G delivers better financial value. For example, if Plan G costs $50 more per month and your expected cost-sharing under Plan L exceeds $600 annually, Plan G saves you money.
Plan N covers most gaps at 100% but requires copays for some office and emergency room visits and doesn't cover Part B excess charges. Plan L doesn't have per-visit copays. If you rarely visit the doctor, you may prefer Plan N's structure.
When Can You Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan L?
Your best window to enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan L is during your Medigap open enrollment period, when insurers cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health status.
- 1Enroll During Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Your Medigap open enrollment period begins the first month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, lasting six months. During this window, insurers cannot use medical underwriting to deny coverage or increase your premium. This is the best consumer protection available and the lowest-risk time to enroll in Plan L.
- 2Understand Guaranteed Issue Rights
Outside of the six-month Medigap open enrollment period, insurers in most states can apply medical underwriting and may deny Plan L coverage based on your health history. Federal guaranteed issue rights apply in specific situations, such as losing employer coverage or leaving a Medicare Advantage plan, and require insurers to sell you a Medigap policy regardless of health status.
- 3Check Your State's Rules
Some states provide Medigap protections beyond federal minimums, including birthday rules that allow you to switch plans annually without underwriting. Check with your state's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) or your state insurance department before enrolling in Plan L.
- 4Compare Providers Before Applying
Because Plan L benefits are standardized, the only variables between insurers are premium, pricing style, financial strength, and state availability. Review top-rated Medicare Supplement companies to assess carrier cost before you apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medicare Supplement Plan L cover the Part B deductible?
Plan L doesn't cover the Medicare Part B deductible. You pay this amount out of pocket before Medicare begins covering 80% of outpatient services. Only grandfathered Plan C and Plan F policies include coverage for the Medicare Part B deductible.
Can I be denied Medicare Supplement Plan L coverage?
Outside of your six-month Medigap open enrollment period, insurers can deny Plan L coverage based on your medical history. During the open enrollment period, insurers can't deny coverage or charge a higher rate due to health conditions. Federal guaranteed issue rights also protect you in specific qualifying situations.
Does Plan L cover care outside the United States?
Plan L doesn't include a foreign travel emergency benefit. If you travel internationally and require emergency medical care, you'll pay those costs out of pocket or need separate travel insurance. Medigap plans that cover foreign travel emergencies include Plan D, Plan G, Plan M, and Plan N.
Is Medicare Supplement Plan L still available to new enrollees?
Plan L remains a standardized Medigap plan type available for sale to new Medicare enrollees in most states. Availability varies by state and insurer. Not all companies that sell Medigap offer Plan L. Confirm availability in your state by contacting insurers directly or using your state's SHIP program.
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