Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky 2026
Kentucky enacted a birthday rule in January 2024, giving policyholders a 30-day annual window to switch to an equal or lesser plan without medical underwriting. LifeShield National offers the lowest Plan G at $148/mo and Plan N at $110/mo. Over 40+ carriers serve Kentucky.
Kentucky Birthday Rule: Shop Every Year Without Medical Underwriting
Kentucky enacted a birthday rule effective January 2024. Each year, during a 30-day window starting on your birthday, you can switch to a Medigap plan with equal or lesser benefits from any carrier without answering health questions. No carrier can deny you or charge a higher premium based on pre-existing conditions during this window.
Window
30 days starting on your birthday
Effective
January 2024
Requirement
Equal or lesser plan only
More than 175,000 Kentucky residents have Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap. Kentucky enacted a birthday rule in January 2024, giving policyholders a 30-day annual window to switch to an equal or lesser plan without medical underwriting. With over 40 carriers available, Kentucky has one of the most competitive Medigap markets in the country.
Plan G is the most popular choice for new enrollees, covering nearly all Medicare out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Plan G premiums in Louisville range from $148/mo (LifeShield National) to over $220/mo (AARP/UHC) for a 65-year-old. The state average is $253/mo, so shopping carefully can save $100/mo or more.
LifeShield National is the standout carrier in Kentucky, offering the lowest Plan G ($148/mo), Plan N ($110/mo), and Plan F ($181/mo). State Farm provides the highest financial strength (A++) with a large local agent network across Louisville, Lexington, and rural Kentucky. Transamerica is the only carrier offering all 10 plan types with issue-age pricing, which locks your premium at your enrollment age.
Compare the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Kentucky
Our top-rated Medigap carriers in Kentucky, ranked by the MedicareFAQ Score. Rates shown are for a 65-year-old in the Louisville area and are updated for 2026.
LifeShield National
Plan G
$148/mo/mo
Plan N
$110/mo/mo
AM Best
A-
LifeShield National offers the lowest Plan G ($148/mo), Plan N ($110/mo), and Plan F ($181/mo) in Kentucky, saving seniors up to $105/mo compared to the state average Plan G of $253/mo. It is the best value pick for Kentucky seniors who want comprehensive coverage at the lowest possible premium.
Transamerica
Plan G
$164/mo/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A
Transamerica is the only carrier in Kentucky offering all 10 standard Medigap plan types. It uses issue-age pricing, meaning your premium is locked at your enrollment age. Plan K at $78/mo and Plan L at $116/mo are the lowest in Kentucky.
State Farm
Plan G
$160/mo/mo
Plan N
$120/mo/mo
AM Best
A++
State Farm earns the highest AM Best rating (A++) of any carrier in Kentucky and offers Plan G at $160/mo and Plan N at $120/mo. With a large local agent network across Louisville, Lexington, and rural Kentucky, State Farm is the best choice for seniors who want face-to-face service and top-tier financial strength.
Globe Life
Plan G
$150/mo/mo
Plan N
$127/mo/mo
AM Best
A
Globe Life offers Plan G at $150/mo, the second-lowest in Kentucky, and Plan N at $127/mo. It is a solid budget option for seniors who want low premiums with a nationally recognized carrier.
MedMutual Protect
Plan G
$162/mo/mo
Plan N
$116/mo/mo
AM Best
A+
MedMutual Protect offers Plan N at $116/mo, the second-lowest in Kentucky, and Plan G at $162/mo. The A+ AM Best rating and strong Midwest presence make it a reliable choice for Kentucky seniors.
Kentucky Medigap Premium Comparison
Monthly premiums for a 65-year-old in Louisville, Kentucky. Rates are for standard Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F. Premiums vary by ZIP code, age, gender, and tobacco use.
| Insurance Company | Plan G Monthly | Plan N Monthly | Plan F Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| LifeShield National | $148 | $110 | $181 |
| Globe Life | $150 | $127 | $210 |
| Bankers Fidelity | $154 | N/A | N/A |
| State Farm | $160 | $120 | N/A |
| MedMutual Protect | $162 | $116 | $183 |
| Transamerica | $164 | N/A | N/A |
| USAA | $167 | N/A | N/A |
| Humana | $185 | $127 | $201 |
| AARP/UnitedHealthcare | $220 | N/A | N/A |
Rates are for a 65-year-old in Louisville, Kentucky. N/A indicates the plan is not offered by that carrier in Kentucky. Plan F is only available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible before January 1, 2020. Source: carrier rate filings, updated 2026.
Plan G vs. Plan N in Kentucky
Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medigap plans for new enrollees in Kentucky. Here is how they compare.
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium (lowest KY rate) | $148/mo (LifeShield National) | $110/mo (LifeShield National) |
| Part A hospital coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance (20%) | Covered | Covered (with copays) |
| Part B deductible ($283) | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Office visit copay | None | Up to $20 |
| ER visit copay (no admission) | None | Up to $50 |
| Birthday rule switching | Can switch to Plan N | Cannot switch to Plan G |
| Best for | Frequent care, predictable costs | Healthy seniors, low monthly costs |
Kentucky's birthday rule is a powerful tool, but it only lets you switch to an equal or lesser plan. Start with Plan G. LifeShield National at $148/mo is the lowest Plan G in Kentucky, saving up to $105/mo compared to the state average. Each year on your birthday, use the 30-day window to shop for a lower-cost Plan G from a different carrier. If your health is excellent and you want to lower your premium, you can also switch down to Plan N. For the highest financial strength, State Farm at $160/mo carries an A++ rating with local agents statewide. Call Kentucky SHIP at (877) 293-7447 for free help using your birthday rule window.
Kentucky Medigap Rules You Should Know
Kentucky Birthday Rule (Since January 2024)
Kentucky enacted a birthday rule effective January 2024. Current Medigap policyholders have a 30-day window starting on their birthday each year to switch to an equal or lesser plan with any carrier without answering health questions. No denial based on pre-existing conditions.
Equal or Lesser Plan Requirement
Under the Kentucky birthday rule, you can only switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits. For example, you can switch from Plan G to Plan N, but not from Plan N to Plan G without medical underwriting.
Open Enrollment Period Is Your Best Window
Your six-month Open Enrollment Period starts when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this window, carriers must accept you regardless of health conditions. The birthday rule gives you an annual opportunity to shop, but the Open Enrollment Period allows you to choose any plan.
40+ Carriers Available in Kentucky
Kentucky has one of the most competitive Medigap markets in the country, with over 40 carriers offering plans. Shopping across multiple carriers is especially important given the wide range of premiums.
Under-65 Coverage Not Required
Kentucky insurers are not required to offer Medigap to Medicare beneficiaries under age 65 who qualify due to disability. Some carriers offer coverage voluntarily, but premiums are typically much higher.
Free Counseling Through Kentucky SHIP
Kentucky SHIP provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling statewide. Call (877) 293-7447 or (502) 564-6930 (Option 3). SHIP counselors do not sell insurance and can help you compare plans and use your birthday rule window.
MedicareFAQ Scoring Methodology
The MedicareFAQ Score rates Medicare Supplement carriers on a scale of 1.0 to 5.0 based on five key factors. Our ratings are independent and not influenced by advertising relationships.
Financial Strength (AM Best Rating)
AM Best ratings from A++ (superior) to A- (excellent). Higher ratings indicate greater ability to pay claims.
Premium Competitiveness
Plan G and Plan N premiums compared to Kentucky state averages. Lower premiums relative to the state average score higher.
Pricing Method
Issue-age and community-rated plans score higher than attained-age plans due to greater long-term premium stability.
Plan Availability
Carriers offering more plan types (especially G, N, F, K, L) score higher for flexibility.
Customer Satisfaction
NAIC complaint ratios and J.D. Power scores. Lower complaint ratios and higher satisfaction scores earn higher ratings.
Last updated: May 2026 | Data sources: NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings, carrier rate filings, CMS Medicare Plan Finder
Frequently Asked Questions
Use Kentucky's Birthday Rule to Find a Better Rate This Year
Kentucky's birthday rule gives you a 30-day window each year to switch to an equal or lesser plan without medical underwriting. LifeShield National offers Plan G from $148/mo, saving up to $105/mo vs. the state average. Call Kentucky SHIP at (877) 293-7447 for free counseling.