Medicare Supplement Plan G Rates in Michigan: Why Shopping Around Can Save You Hundreds
If you have a Medicare Supplement plan, when was the last time you compared your rate with other insurance companies?
Many people assume that because Medicare Supplement plans are standardized, the premiums must also be similar. They aren't.
A recent comparison of Medicare Supplement Plan G rates in Grand Rapids, Michigan found monthly premiums ranging from approximately $112 to more than $460 per month, depending on the insurance company, underwriting class and available discounts. The comparison was for a 65-year-old, non-tobacco female in ZIP code 49546. Female G GR
That's a significant difference for essentially the same standardized Plan G benefits.
Medicare confirms that Medigap policies are standardized and that the benefits within the same lettered plan are the same regardless of which insurance company sells the policy. However, premiums can vary significantly among insurance companies. Medicare
2026 Medicare Supplement Plan G Rates in Grand Rapids, Michigan
Here's the full comparison from our example. These rates are for a 65-year-old, non-tobacco female in ZIP code 49546 (Kent County) and were sorted from lowest to highest premium.
| Insurance Company | Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| MedMutual Protect | $111.65 |
| Physicians Mutual | $129.20 |
| HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company | $134.38 |
| Aflac, underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company | $137.58 |
| McLaren Health Plan | $139.59 |
| McLaren Health Plan | $139.59 |
| Lumos Insurance Company | $139.91 |
| Insurance Company of North America (Chubb) | $141.28 |
| Medico Life and Health Insurance Company (Wellabe) | $142.85 |
| WoodmenLife | $147.21 |
| Continental Life Insurance Company (Aetna) | $149.82 |
| AARP Medicare Supplement Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare | $150.41 |
| McLaren Health Plan | $153.55 |
| Humana Achieve (CompBenefits Insurance Company) | $154.65 |
| Medico Life and Health Insurance Company (Wellabe) | $157.13 |
| HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company | $157.90 |
| Omaha Supplemental Insurance Company | $159.00 |
| Humana | $162.20 |
| Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company | $164.23 |
| American Benefit Life Insurance Company | $164.70 |
| Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP) | $168.00 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | $169.64 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan | $169.64 |
| Medico Life and Health Insurance Company (Wellabe) | $178.57 |
| WPS / A Health Solutions Company | $179.43 |
| Priority Health | $184.14 |
| McLaren Health Plan | $188.45 |
| Priority Health | $189.75 |
| Bankers Fidelity Assurance Company | $197.07 |
| HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company | $201.58 |
| Physicians Mutual | $202.34 |
| USAA Life Insurance Company | $206.04 |
| Health Alliance Plan of Michigan (HAP) | $213.00 |
| Everence Association | $214.79 |
| United American Insurance Company | $218.00 |
| Guarantee Trust Life Insurance Company (GTL) | $218.49 |
| HealthSpring National Health Insurance Company | $236.85 |
| GPM Health and Life Insurance Company | $253.27 |
| Priority Health | $281.07 |
| AARP Medicare Supplement Plans, insured by UnitedHealthcare | $467.85 |
Important: Rates shown are examples for a 65-year-old, non-tobacco female in ZIP code 49546 (Kent County, Michigan) and are not available to every applicant. Premiums may vary based on eligibility, underwriting, discounts, rating class and other factors. Some insurers have multiple rates because of different underwriting or administrative classifications. Rates are subject to change.
The source shows multiple premiums for some insurance companies because different underwriting and administrative rules can result in multiple available rates. Household discounts, policy fees and other factors can also affect the final premium.
Why Can the Same Medicare Supplement Plan Cost So Much More?
Here's what surprises many Medicare beneficiaries: a more expensive Plan G doesn't provide more standardized Plan G benefits simply because it costs more.
Medicare states that benefits for the same Medigap plan letter are standardized regardless of the insurance company selling it. Medicare also specifically warns that there can be large differences in premiums charged for the same coverage. Medicare
For example, the comparison above includes Plan G premiums of:
$111.65 per month = $1,339.80 per year
versus
$184.14 per month = $2,209.68 per year
That's a difference of approximately $870 per year.
The highest rate shown in the report was $467.85 per month, although that rate represents a different rating class and shouldn't be viewed as directly available to every applicant. Female G GR
The point isn't that everyone should select the least expensive company. It's that price differences can be large enough to make comparing your options worthwhile.
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?
Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plans available to people who are new to Medicare.
After Original Medicare pays its portion of a covered expense, Plan G can help cover many of the remaining deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.
For example, the Plan G benefit illustration accompanying these rates shows coverage of the Medicare Part A hospital deductible, hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, the first three pints of blood, hospice cost-sharing and Medicare Part B excess charges. Female G GR
Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible. For 2026, that deductible is $283. Medicare
Comparing All Standardized Medicare Supplement Plans
Plan G isn't the only Medicare Supplement option. In most states, standardized Medigap plans are identified by letters A through N.
Here's how the standardized plans compare in 2026:
| Medicare Supplement Benefit | A | B | C* | D | F* | G | K | L | M | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part A Hospital Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Part B Coinsurance / Copayments | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100%** |
| First 3 Pints of Blood | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Hospice Coinsurance | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | — | — | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 100% | 100% |
| Part A Deductible | — | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% | 50% | 75% | 50% | 100% |
| Part B Deductible | — | — | 100% | — | 100% | — | — | — | — | — |
| Part B Excess Charges | — | — | — | — | 100% | 100% | — | — | — | — |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | — | — | 80% | 80% | 80% | 80% | — | — | 80% | 80% |
| 2026 Out-of-Pocket Limit | — | — | — | — | — | — | $8,000 | $4,000 | — | — |
* Plans C and F: Not available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
** Plan N: Covers Part B coinsurance, except for copayments of up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission.
High-Deductible Plans: Plans F and G also have high-deductible versions available in some states. The 2026 deductible is $2,950.
Note: Coverage percentages represent the portion of applicable Medicare cost-sharing covered by the supplement. Availability varies by state and insurance company. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize Medigap plans differently.
This comparison is based on Medicare's official 2026 standardized Medigap benefits. Medicare
* Plans C and F aren't available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. People who were eligible before that date may still be able to purchase them. Plans F and G also have high-deductible versions available in some states; the 2026 high-deductible amount is $2,950. Medicare
** Plan N covers the Part B coinsurance, but you may pay up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for certain emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission. Medicare
Why You Should Shop Your Medicare Supplement Every Year
Buying a Medicare Supplement policy shouldn't necessarily be a "set it and forget it" decision.
Medicare Supplement premiums typically increase over time. Meanwhile, other insurance companies may introduce new rates or you may find another company offering the same standardized plan at a lower premium. Medicare itself notes that Medigap premium amounts typically increase each year and recommends comparing the cost of the same plan letter among insurers. Medicare
That creates an opportunity that many Medicare beneficiaries overlook.
Reviewing your Medicare Supplement rate each year can sometimes uncover hundreds of dollars in potential annual savings.
Consider a hypothetical example:
If you're paying $190 per month for Plan G and qualify for another Plan G at $150 per month, that's a difference of:
$40 per month × 12 months = $480 per year
A $60 monthly difference would equal $720 per year.
And these aren't unrealistic differences. The Grand Rapids rate comparison above demonstrates that premiums for Plan G can differ by considerably more than $40 or $60 per month. Female G GR
Over several years, those differences can add up.
There's an Important Catch: You May Have to Answer Health Questions
There is an important distinction between shopping your Medicare Supplement every year and being guaranteed the ability to switch every year.
Unlike Medicare Advantage and Part D plans, Medicare Supplement policies generally don't have an annual enrollment period during which everyone can freely change Medigap companies without medical underwriting.
Your best opportunity to purchase Medigap is generally your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. Outside that period and certain guaranteed-issue situations, an insurance company may use medical underwriting to determine whether it will accept your application and what you'll pay. Medicare
That doesn't mean you shouldn't compare rates.
It means you should find out what's available before making any changes to your existing coverage.
If you qualify for a lower-priced policy, the savings can sometimes be substantial. If you don't qualify, you can simply keep your existing coverage.
Most importantly, don't cancel your existing Medicare Supplement policy until your new coverage has been approved and you understand when it becomes effective.
Don't Forget About Household Discounts
Your quoted rate can also depend on discounts.
The Grand Rapids comparison includes household discounts as high as 12% with certain insurers. Some companies base their discounts on having another insured person in the household, while eligibility requirements vary by carrier. Female G GR
Medicare also notes that insurers may offer discounts based on factors such as multiple policies, marital status, non-smoking status, gender, annual payment or automatic electronic payments. Medicare
That's another reason an individualized comparison can produce a different result than simply looking at an advertised Medicare Supplement rate.
How Often Should You Compare Your Medicare Supplement?
We recommend reviewing your Medicare Supplement at least once a year, especially if you've experienced a significant rate increase.
A review doesn't mean you have to switch.
It simply answers an important question:
Am I still getting a competitive rate for my Medicare Supplement coverage?
Because standardized benefits within the same plan letter are the same, comparing your existing Plan G against other Plan G options can be relatively straightforward. Medicare
Let Platinum Benefit Advisors Shop the Market for You
You don't have to contact every Medicare Supplement company individually.
At Platinum Benefit Advisors, we can compare Medicare Supplement plans and rates from multiple insurance companies to help you see how your current coverage stacks up against other available options.
If you already have a Medicare Supplement, we'll help you determine whether there may be an opportunity to lower your premium while maintaining the standardized benefits of your current plan.
And if you're new to Medicare, we can help you compare the different Medicare Supplement plan letters, companies and premiums to find coverage that fits your needs and budget.
Already have Medicare Supplement insurance? Let us shop your rate and see if you could save.
Rates shown are examples from an October 2026 comparison for a 65-year-old, non-tobacco female in ZIP code 49546. Rates aren't available to every applicant and can vary based on location, age, gender where permitted, tobacco status, household discounts, underwriting, rating class and other factors. Some rates shown may include discounts or policy fees. Rates and underwriting requirements are subject to change. The underlying rate report notes that carrier adjustments may not yet be reflected in its database.
Rates quoted would be similar throughout most of Kent county, MI.
| ZIP Code | City |
|---|---|
| 49301 | Ada |
| 49302 | Alto |
| 49306 | Belmont |
| 49315 | Byron Center |
| 49316 | Caledonia |
| 49317 | Cannonsburg |
| 49319 | Cedar Springs |
| 49321 | Comstock Park |
| 49326 | Gowen |
| 49330 | Kent City |
| 49331 | Lowell |
| 49341 | Rockford |
| 49343 | Sand Lake |
| 49345 | Sparta |
| 49351 | Rockford |
| 49418 | Grandville |
| 49503 | Grand Rapids |
| 49504 | Grand Rapids |
| 49505 | Grand Rapids |
| 49506 | Grand Rapids |
| 49507 | Grand Rapids |
| 49508 | Grand Rapids |
| 49509 | Wyoming |
| 49512 | Grand Rapids |
| 49519 | Wyoming |
| 49525 | Grand Rapids |
| 49534 | Grand Rapids |
| 49544 | Grand Rapids |
| 49546 | Grand Rapids |
| 49548 | Grand Rapids |
| 49560 | Grand Rapids |
