The 2027 High-Deductible Medigap Change: What to Compare

The annual deductible for high-deductible Medigap Plans F, G and J will be $3,050 in 2027, up from $2,950 in 2026: a $100 increase. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the 2027 amount; Medicare’s plan comparison lists the 2026 amount.

That change is one part of a coverage decision, not a prediction of anyone’s bill. If you have or are considering a high-deductible policy, compare its premium and your likely Medicare-covered costs with other policies available to you. Keep a reserve for a year in which you need more care than expected.

What the deductible means

Medigap is supplemental insurance for people with Original Medicare. Medicare generally pays its share of covered services first; a Medigap policy can then help pay certain remaining costs, subject to its terms. A high-deductible version requires you to pay qualifying out-of-pocket costs before the policy begins paying benefits. The deductible is annual, and CMS updates it each year.

For 2027, the threshold is $3,050. CMS describes it as annual out-of-pocket expenses excluding premiums. Medicare describes the costs for these options as Medicare-covered coinsurance, copayments and deductibles. Once the high deductible is met, CMS says these plans cover remaining Medicare cost-sharing for the rest of the year. Check the policy for how a particular charge is handled; do not assume every medical bill or noncovered service counts.

The monthly premium is separate. You pay it to maintain the policy; it does not count toward reaching the high deductible. You may also owe other premiums, including Medicare premiums, depending on your coverage. The Medicare Medigap overview explains how supplemental coverage fits with Original Medicare.

The Part B deductible is a special detail

CMS says the Medicare Part B deductible you pay counts toward the high-deductible threshold, even though Plan G does not pay any part of the Part B deductible. Counting a payment toward a threshold is different from the policy reimbursing that payment. Ask the insurer how it tracks qualifying expenses and keep your Medicare notices and receipts.

Do not confuse this Medigap deductible with the Medicare Part D prescription-drug out-of-pocket cap. They apply to different coverage and costs. Medicare’s drug cost guide explains the Part D limit and its rules. A Medigap high-deductible policy is not a substitute for comparing drug coverage.

Who can buy these options?

Availability depends on where you live and what insurers sell. CMS says high-deductible Plan F is available only to people eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. High-deductible Plan G is available to people who are new to Medicare on or after that date. High-deductible Plan J was sold before June 1, 2010; CMS includes existing high-deductible J policies in its announcement. These descriptions do not mean every insurer offers a policy to every eligible applicant.

Whether an insurer must sell you a particular policy, or can use medical underwriting, depends on your circumstances, timing and applicable federal and state protections. Medicare explains when you can buy Medigap. Before dropping an existing policy, confirm that a replacement has been accepted and when coverage starts.

Compare the whole year’s costs

A high-deductible option may have a different premium from a standard policy. Obtain actual quotes instead of assuming the saving will outweigh the added cost. For each option you can buy:

Multiply the quoted monthly premium by 12, and check whether the price can change.
Estimate Medicare-covered services you expect to use and the cost-sharing you would owe before supplemental benefits begin.
Compare a low-use year and a higher-use year. Include qualifying costs up to the deductible, plus costs that remain outside the policy’s coverage.
Check drug coverage separately and confirm any other coverage you rely on.
Ask how the insurer tracks the deductible and what documents you should keep.

This is a budgeting comparison, not a guarantee of your actual spending. An unexpected hospital stay or change in care can make either estimate inaccurate. The annual deductible also can change in a later year, and a premium quote is specific to the insurer and applicant.

Where to get help

Use Medicare’s Medigap policy finder as a starting point, then verify current availability and terms with insurers. Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) offers individual Medicare counseling. Ask about your state’s protections and the timing of any change before acting.

The practical takeaway: the 2027 threshold is $100 higher than in 2026, but the right comparison is your own premium, expected covered costs, financial cushion and eligibility—not the deductible alone.