Medicare supplement enrollment grew 1.3% between 2023 and 2024, according to an April report from AHIP, formerly known as America’s Health Insurance Plans.
Medicare supplement, or Medigap, is private insurance for original Medicare beneficiaries to fill in coverage gaps. AHIP, the industry’s trade association, gathered 2024 Medicare supplement data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the California Department of Managed Health Care.
Here are four notes on where Medicare supplement stands:
1. Medicare supplement enrollment across the country increased 1.3% in 2024, even though fee-for-service Medicare enrollment has been on the decline. As Medigap enrollment increased, original Medicare enrollment decreased by 385,000 from 2023.
2. Less than 3% of enrollees with Medicare supplement coverage said they had trouble paying medical bills within the previous year, whereas more than 6% of original Medicare enrollees without this coverage reported challenges.
3. Like Plan F, Plan G covers Medicare deductible and coinsurance amounts — but without the Part B deductible. Both plans offer high-deductible options, as well. These two plan types were the most popular forms of Medigap in 2024, covering 43% and 33% of Medicare supplement enrollees, respectively. In recent years, insurers have not been able to sell Plan F to new enrollees. These plans, along with Plan A, were the most common offerings for reporting companies with standardized Medicare supplement policies.
4. Plan N is steadily growing, with availability increasing from 70% to 71% of insurance providers with active policies. In 2024, enrollment increased 5%. This plan covers all of the Part A deductible but not the Part B deductible. It also offers cost-sharing amounts of up to $20 for some physician visits and up to $50 for some emergency department visits.
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