Medigap

Browse our articles about medigap

August 7, 2026

Medicare After a Death: What Survivors Need to Know

Who to call, which premiums get refunded, what happens to a Medigap or Advantage plan, and how a spouse's death may change your own Medicare costs.

How Medigap Premiums Are Priced: The Three Rating Methods

Community-rated, issue-age, and attained-age Medigap pricing can mean very different premiums at 80 than at 65. How each method works and which states restrict them.

Medicare Assignment and Part B Excess Charges Explained

What accepting Medicare assignment means, how the 15% limiting charge works, which 8 states ban excess charges, and what happens with opt-out doctors.

Medigap Plan G vs Plan N: How These Popular Plans Compare

Plan G and Plan N are the two most commonly chosen Medigap plans for people new to Medicare. Compare copays, excess charges, and typical premium differences.

Does Medicare Cover You When Traveling Outside the U.S.?

Original Medicare rarely pays for care outside the U.S. Learn the exceptions, how some Medigap plans cover foreign travel emergencies, and what to plan for.

Can You Combine Private Health Insurance and Medicare?

Discover how private health insurance coordinates with Medicare, including employer plans, Medigap policies, and Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Costs in Retirement: What to Budget For in 2026

A complete guide to budgeting for Medicare costs in retirement, covering premiums, deductibles, and strategies to manage spending.

Medicare and Clinical Trials: Coverage for Experimental Treatments

Learn how Medicare covers routine costs in qualifying clinical trials, what isn't covered, eligibility rules, and how to find trials near you.

Understanding Medicare's Mental Health and Counseling Benefits

Learn about Medicare's mental health coverage including therapy, psychiatric care, inpatient treatment, substance abuse services, and telehealth options.

Medicare Outpatient Surgery and Observation Stays

Understand how Medicare covers outpatient surgery, ambulatory surgical centers, and observation stays, and why your hospital status affects costs.

Medicare Cardiac Rehab and Heart Disease Coverage

Explore how Medicare covers cardiac rehabilitation and heart disease treatment, including rehab programs, qualifying conditions, and session limits.

Does Medicare Cover Skilled Nursing Facility Care?

Learn how Medicare Part A covers skilled nursing facility stays, including the 3-day hospital rule, coinsurance costs, and how Medicare Advantage plans may differ.

Does Medicare Cover Ambulance Services?

Understand when Medicare pays for ambulance transportation, including emergency and non-emergency rules, air ambulance coverage, and cost-sharing.

Does Medicare Cover Knee and Hip Replacement?

Learn how Medicare covers knee and hip replacement surgery, including inpatient and outpatient options, rehab benefits, and expected out-of-pocket costs.

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute a recommendation of any specific Medicare plan. Benefits, costs, and availability vary by plan and location. For complete information about your Medicare options, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227), TTY: 1-877-486-2048, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.