Costs explained
How Medicare Supplement pricing works in Maryland
Two neighbors in St. Mary's County can buy the same plan letter and pay different premiums. Here is why that happens, what is worth comparing, and how to look at price without losing sight of the benefits.
The letter sets the benefits, the company sets the price
A Plan G is a Plan G. The benefits are written into federal standards, so the only real difference between two Plan G policies is the premium and the company behind them. Medicare.gov points out that the premium gap between insurers for the same coverage can be large, which is why comparing the same letter across several companies matters more than comparing different letters from one company.
That also means price is not a sign of quality in the benefits themselves. A policy that costs more does not cover more medical services. What you may be paying for, or avoiding, is the way the company sets and changes its rates.
Three common ways companies price a policy
- Community rated
- Everyone in the plan pays about the same premium regardless of age. Increases, when they come, are usually tied to the overall cost of the plan.
- Issue-age rated
- The premium is based on your age when you first buy the policy. It does not rise just because you get older, though it can still rise with inflation and claims costs.
- Attained-age rated
- The premium is based on your current age, so it tends to start lower and rise as you get older, in addition to any other rate changes.
A policy that looks inexpensive at 65 may look different at 75, depending on which method it uses. When we compare carriers for you, we ask which method each one uses and look at how the premium may change over time, not only the first-year number.
What can change the price you are quoted
- Your age and where you live. Premiums vary with your ZIP code and your age at purchase.
- Tobacco use. Some companies charge less for non-smokers.
- Household and payment discounts. Medicare.gov notes that companies may offer discounts for women, non-smokers or married people, for paying yearly, for automatic payment from a bank account or card, and for multiple policies. Which discounts exist, and who qualifies, differs by company.
- Medical underwriting. Outside a guaranteed-issue situation or your open enrollment period, a company may use your health history to decide whether to offer a policy and at what price.
- Medicare SELECT. These policies may require you to use certain providers, and the premium may be lower in return.
- A high-deductible option. Plan G is available with a deductible of up to $2,950 in 2026, usually at a lower premium.
Premium is only one part of the monthly bill
When people say what their Medicare costs each month, the number usually includes several things. Your Part B premium is $202.90 a month in 2026, and it is higher for some people based on income. Your Supplement premium is separate. If you add a Part D drug plan, it has its own premium, covered on our Supplement and Part D page.
Then there are the costs a Supplement does not remove, such as the Part B deductible of $283 in 2026 under Plans G and N, and the copays under Plan N. A plan with a lower premium and more out-of-pocket exposure can cost more in a heavy year and less in a light one. Looking at your own likely use of care keeps the comparison honest. Our plan comparison shows where each plan leaves costs behind.
Questions to ask about any quote
- Which pricing method does this policy use, and how have this company's rates changed over the past few years?
- Is the quote for the same plan letter I am comparing elsewhere?
- Which discounts are included, and what do I have to do to keep them?
- Is this a Medicare SELECT policy, and if so, what are the provider rules?
- Will I need to answer health questions, or is this within a guaranteed-issue window?
Prices on this site are never shown, because they depend on your age, ZIP code and a company's filings at the time you ask. Results vary by person, and rates can change without notice.
Common questions
Why do two companies charge different prices for the same plan letter?
Each company sets its own premium for its Supplement policies. The benefits of a lettered plan are the same everywhere, so the price is the only difference between policies with the same letter.
Will my Supplement premium go up?
It can. How it changes depends on how the company prices the policy, for example by your age when you buy or by your current age, and on the rate increases companies file over time. Rates can change without notice.
Does Medicare pay my Supplement premium?
No. You pay the Supplement company directly, and you also keep paying your monthly Part B premium, which is $202.90 in 2026 for most people.
Get current rates from several companies
We do the comparing so you do not have to call company after company. Our help costs you nothing, because the insurance companies pay us. Call (410) 896-1212 or choose a time on our calendar, and have your Medicare card handy if you can.