Medicare Supplement Company & Rate History Research Center
Don't compare a Medicare Supplement company on today's price alone.
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Don't Compare a Medicare Supplement Company on Today's Price Alone
When comparing Medicare Supplement insurance, the lowest premium today doesn't necessarily tell you what the policy may cost several years from now.
Medicare Supplement plans are standardized. That means a Plan G from one insurance company provides the same standardized Plan G benefits as a Plan G from another insurance company.
What isn't standardized is the insurance company behind the policy — or the premium it charges.
That's why our Medicare Supplement research considers more than the initial quote.
For Medicare Supplement companies available in your area, we may research:
- Current premiums
- Historical rate increases when reliable filing data is available
- The company's pricing method
- How long the policy series has been available
- Whether the policy is accepting new applicants
- Whether an older policy series or block has been closed to new applicants
- Household and other available discounts
- Financial-strength information
- AM Best rating information when available
- State insurance-department filings and regulatory information
- Company identity and underwriting entity
- Complaint information when available
- Underwriting considerations when applicable
The objective isn't to predict future premiums. Nobody can reliably do that. The objective is to give you better information before you select a company.
Why Medicare Supplement Rates Matter
Two people shopping for Plan G may find several companies offering exactly the same standardized benefits at substantially different premiums.
But the lowest starting premium is only one piece of information.
We also want to know:
How did the company get to today's rate?
A company with an attractive new-business premium may have a different rate history from a company that costs slightly more today.
Historical performance doesn't guarantee future performance, but looking backward can provide useful context when comparing companies.
Open vs. Closed Medicare Supplement Blocks
One subject consumers rarely hear discussed is whether a Medicare Supplement policy series or "block of business" remains open to new applicants.
An insurance company can have more than one Medicare Supplement policy series. A company may eventually stop selling a particular series to new customers while continuing to insure existing policyholders in that block.
That does not automatically mean the policy is bad, nor does it mean existing policyholders lose their coverage.
But we believe it is reasonable to research the history of the actual insurance entity and policy series rather than relying solely on the brand name printed on an advertisement.
When reliable information is available, our research may identify:
Currently accepting new Medicare Supplement applicants.
Existing policyholders remain in the policy series, but new applicants are no longer being added.
We don't have sufficient reliable information to characterize the block — verify directly with the insurer or applicable state insurance department.
Medicare Supplement Rate History
Where reliable public regulatory data is available, we can examine historical Medicare Supplement rate filings.
For example:
| Effective Date | Rate Action | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | State filing |
| 2025 | — | State filing |
| 2024 | — | State filing |
| 2023 | — | State filing |
| 2022 | — | State filing |
Rate history should never be presented as a guarantee of future premiums. Insurance companies can request or implement future rate changes subject to applicable state law and regulatory requirements.
How Is the Policy Priced?
Medicare identifies three primary ways insurance companies can price Medigap policies:
Community-Rated
Generally, the same premium is charged regardless of age. Premiums can still increase because of inflation and other factors.
Issue-Age-Rated
Your premium is based on your age when you purchase the policy. It doesn't increase simply because you get older, although premiums can increase for other reasons.
Attained-Age-Rated
Your premium is based on your current age. Premiums can increase as you get older and may also increase because of inflation and other factors.
Understanding which pricing method applies is an important part of evaluating a Medicare Supplement policy.
Financial Strength
A Medicare Supplement policy is a long-term insurance decision, so financial-strength information can also be useful.
When available, we provide a direct research link to:
AM Best Financial Strength Ratings
AM Best specializes in evaluating the insurance industry. Consumers can use AM Best's company search to research the financial-strength rating of the insurance company actually issuing the policy.
Important: A financial-strength rating evaluates an insurer's financial strength and ability to meet its insurance obligations. It does not tell you whether that company's Medicare Supplement premium will increase or whether that company is the best choice for you.
Research the Actual Insurance Company — Not Just the Brand
Large insurance organizations may operate through multiple insurance companies.
For that reason, our research should identify the legal underwriting company whenever possible.
Example:
This helps consumers verify information independently instead of simply accepting a marketing claim.
Our Medicare Supplement Company Research
Each company profile can include:
[Insurance Company Name]
Current Sample Rates
| Plan | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Plan G | $— |
| Plan N | $— |
| High-Deductible G | $— |
Rates are examples only and can change. Eligibility, location, age, gender where permitted, tobacco status, discounts, underwriting and other factors may affect actual premiums.
Rate History
| Year | Rate Change | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | — | View filing |
| 2025 | — | View filing |
| 2024 | — | View filing |
| 2023 | — | View filing |
| 2022 | — | View filing |
What We Found
Verify Our Research
Rather than asking consumers to simply trust our analysis, each company profile should provide links to the original sources whenever possible.
There Is No "Best" Medicare Supplement Company for Everyone
We don't believe a company should automatically be called the "best" Medicare Supplement company simply because it has today's lowest premium.
Likewise, a company shouldn't automatically be rejected because it experienced a rate increase.
We look at the complete picture:
Then you can make an informed decision.
Independent Medicare Supplement Research
The Medicare Dude is a marketing brand of The Gray Insurance, an independent Medicare insurance agency.
We compare Medicare Supplement options available to us and can also discuss options we don't represent when relevant to your decision.
Our goal is to help you understand the differences before you choose — including situations where the lowest advertised premium may not tell the entire story.
Historical rate information does not predict or guarantee future premiums. Insurance availability, rates, underwriting requirements and company information can change. Current information should always be verified before enrollment.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, CMS, or the federal government.
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