Medicare Supplement Rate Calculator

How Medicare Supplement Rates Are Calculated

Medicare Supplement (Medigap) carriers use one of three rating methods to set premiums. Community rating charges everyone the same premium regardless of age. Issue-age rating bases the premium on your age when you first buy the policy — it doesn't increase as you get older. Attained-age rating bases the premium on your current age and increases as you age.

Florida uses attained-age rating for most Medigap policies, which means your premium will increase each year as you get older — in addition to any general rate increases the carrier files with the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR). This is why it's important to compare not just the initial premium but also a carrier's rate increase history.

Why Your ZIP Code Matters for Medigap Rates

Medigap carriers file rates by county with the Florida OIR. This means the same Plan G from the same carrier can have a different premium in Duval County (Jacksonville) versus Volusia County (Daytona Beach) versus Flagler County (Palm Coast). Urban counties with higher healthcare costs and utilization rates often have higher Medigap premiums than rural counties.

In Northeast Florida, rates in Duval County (Jacksonville) are often slightly lower than in Volusia County (Daytona Beach), while Flagler County (Palm Coast) and St. Johns County (St. Augustine) fall in between. William checks your specific ZIP code when comparing rates.

Plan G vs. Plan N: Which Is Right for You?

Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new Medicare enrollees. It covers everything Medicare covers except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). After you pay that deductible once per year, Plan G covers 100% of Medicare-approved costs — no copays, no coinsurance, no network restrictions.

Plan N has a lower monthly premium — typically $20–$50 less than Plan G — but requires copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits (waived if you're admitted). Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges, which are the difference between what a provider charges and what Medicare approves. Excess charges are rare but can occur with non-participating providers.

Plan N is a strong choice for healthy seniors who rarely visit doctors. Plan G is better for those who want predictable, near-zero out-of-pocket costs or who see specialists frequently.

High-Deductible Plan G Explained

High-Deductible Plan G (HDG) offers the same comprehensive coverage as Plan G — but only after you meet a $2,870 annual deductible (2026 figure). Until you reach that deductible, you pay all Medicare cost-sharing out of pocket. After you meet it, HDG covers everything Plan G covers for the rest of the year.

In exchange for this higher deductible, HDG premiums are dramatically lower — often $50–$70/month for a 65-year-old female non-tobacco in Florida. HDG is best for healthy seniors who want catastrophic protection at the lowest possible monthly cost and have savings to cover the deductible if needed.

Why the Cheapest Company Isn't Always the Best

Because Plan G coverage is identical regardless of which carrier you choose, it's tempting to simply pick the lowest premium. But rate stability history matters just as much as the initial premium. Some carriers attract new enrollees with low introductory rates, then file aggressive rate increases in subsequent years — sometimes 10–15% annually.

William evaluates both the current premium and the carrier's rate increase history when making recommendations. A carrier with a slightly higher initial premium but a history of modest, stable increases may cost less over 5–10 years than a carrier with the lowest initial rate but aggressive annual increases.

Florida Medicare Supplement Rules

Florida follows federal Medigap rules with some state-specific additions. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window that begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, you have guaranteed issue rights — carriers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

Outside of your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, switching Medicare Supplement plans in Florida generally requires medical underwriting. You may qualify for guaranteed issue rights in specific situations — a licensed broker can review your options.

After your open enrollment window closes, switching Medigap plans or carriers generally requires passing medical underwriting — unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue right.

When Underwriting May Apply

Medical underwriting applies when you apply for a Medigap plan outside of a guaranteed issue period. This means the carrier can review your health history, ask medical questions, and potentially deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions.

Common situations where underwriting applies: switching from one Medigap carrier to another after your open enrollment window; applying for Medigap after delaying enrollment; switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap after your trial right period has expired.

Guaranteed Issue Situations

Federal law provides 8 guaranteed issue rights that allow you to buy a Medigap policy without underwriting, regardless of your health:

• You are in your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (first 6 months after enrolling in Part B at 65+)
• You lose coverage through no fault of your own (employer plan ends, union coverage ends)
• You move out of your Medicare Advantage plan's service area
• Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves Medicare or stops covering your area
• You have a Medicare SELECT plan and move out of the service area
• You joined Medicare Advantage or a SELECT plan when you first became eligible at 65 and want to switch within 12 months (trial right)
• You dropped a Medigap plan to join a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time and want to switch back within 12 months (trial right)
• Your Medigap insurance company goes bankrupt or otherwise leaves the market

Why Working with an Independent Medicare Broker Helps

William Gray represents 28+ Medigap carriers in Florida. As an independent broker, he is not captive to any single company — he shops all available carriers to find the best combination of price and rate stability for your specific ZIP code, age, and health situation.

William re-shops rates for his clients every year at Annual Enrollment. If a better option becomes available, he proactively reaches out. His service is completely free — he is compensated by the carrier you choose, at no additional cost to you.