Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Massachusetts 2026
Massachusetts uses its own Medigap plan system with community rating and year-round open enrollment. Over 340,000+ Massachusetts residents have Medigap coverage. We compared 8+ carriers to find the best Core Plan and Supplement 1A options in the Bay State.
Massachusetts Uses Its Own Medigap Plan System with Community Rating and Year-Round Open Enrollment
Unlike most states that use federal Plan A through Plan N, Massachusetts has its own standardized plans: the Core Plan (basic coverage) and Supplement 1A (the most comprehensive plan, equivalent to Plan G in other states). Massachusetts also requires community rating - a 65-year-old and an 85-year-old pay the same monthly premium - and continuous year-round open enrollment, meaning you can enroll or switch any month without health questions. Massachusetts also prohibits Medicare excess charges, making it one of the most consumer-friendly Medigap markets in the country.
More than 340,000 Massachusetts residents have Medicare Supplement Insurance, also called Medigap. Massachusetts is one of only three states that uses its own standardized Medigap plan system instead of the federal lettered plans used in most of the country. Rather than Plan G or Plan N, Massachusetts enrollees choose between a Core Plan and Supplement 1A, with the Core Plan providing basic coverage and Supplement 1A providing the most comprehensive coverage available.
Massachusetts requires all Medigap carriers to use community rating, which means everyone with the same plan pays the same monthly premium regardless of age. A 65-year-old and an 85-year-old pay identical rates. While this results in higher starting premiums than most other states, your premium will not increase simply because you get older. For long-term budgeting, this is a significant advantage.
Massachusetts also requires continuous year-round open enrollment, meaning you can enroll in, switch, or cancel a Medigap plan any month of the year without medical underwriting. Insurers cannot deny coverage or require a waiting period based on pre-existing conditions. Additionally, Massachusetts law prohibits Medicare excess charges, so providers cannot bill you more than the Medicare-approved amount. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts dominates the market with approximately 70.9% market share.
Compare the Best Medicare Supplement Plans in Massachusetts
Our top-rated Medigap carriers in Massachusetts, ranked by the MedicareFAQ Score. Premiums shown are for a 65-year-old in Boston. Because Massachusetts uses community rating, your premium will be the same regardless of age. Rates in Worcester, Springfield, and other regions may vary slightly.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Supplement 1A
$233/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts dominates the state Medigap market with nearly 71% market share. Their community-rated pricing means a 75-year-old pays the same as a 65-year-old, and their continuous open enrollment lets you enroll or switch any month of the year without health questions.
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care
Supplement 1A
$216/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A-
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the second-largest Medigap insurer in Massachusetts with about 15% market share. As a Massachusetts-based carrier, they have deep relationships with local providers and hospitals, making them a strong choice for enrollees who prefer a local insurer over a national brand.
AARP / UnitedHealthcare
Supplement 1A
$196/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A
AARP/UnitedHealthcare holds about 10.4% of the Massachusetts Medigap market. Their national brand, AARP member perks, and 24/7 nurse hotline make them a familiar choice for enrollees who want the backing of the largest Medicare Supplement insurer in the country.
Humana
Supplement 1A
$176/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A-
Humana offers the lowest Supplement 1A premium in Boston at $176/mo and includes the SilverSneakers fitness benefit. Note: Humana announced it will stop selling new Medicare Supplement policies in Massachusetts beginning April 1, 2026. Existing members may remain enrolled, but new enrollees should consider other carriers.
Health New England
Supplement 1A
$254/mo
Plan N
N/A/mo
AM Best
A-
Health New England is a strong regional option for Medicare beneficiaries in western Massachusetts, particularly in the Springfield and Pittsfield areas. Their local provider relationships and community-rated pricing make them worth considering for enrollees in the Pioneer Valley region.
Medicare Supplement Prices in Massachusetts
Sample monthly premiums from top carriers in Boston. Massachusetts uses community rating, so premiums are the same for all ages. Rates shown are for both the Core Plan (basic coverage) and Supplement 1A (comprehensive coverage). Rates in western Massachusetts may be lower than Boston.
| Insurance Company | Monthly Premium | Plan Type |
|---|---|---|
| Humana (Core Plan) | $123 | Core Plan |
| AARP / UHC (Core Plan) | $139 | Core Plan |
| BCBS MA (Core Plan) | $143 | Core Plan |
| Humana (Supplement 1A) | $176 | Supplement 1A |
| AARP / UHC (Supplement 1A) | $196 | Supplement 1A |
| Harvard Pilgrim (Supplement 1A) | $216 | Supplement 1A |
| BCBS MA (Supplement 1A) | $233 | Supplement 1A |
| Health New England (Supplement 1A) | $254 | Supplement 1A |
Lowest available in Massachusetts (Boston): Core Plan from $123/mo (Core Plan) | Supplement 1A from $176/mo | Source: CMS Medicare Plan Finder, FairSquare Medicare, May 2026
Core Plan vs. Supplement 1A in Massachusetts
Massachusetts offers two main Medigap plan types. Supplement 1A is the most comprehensive and is the equivalent of Plan G in other states. Here is how they compare.
| Coverage Feature | Core Plan | Supplement 1A |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance (20%) | Covered | Covered |
| First 3 pints of blood | Covered | Covered |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Not covered | Covered |
| Part A deductible ($1,736) | Not covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Not covered | Covered |
| Medicare excess charges | N/A (prohibited in MA) | N/A (prohibited in MA) |
| Avg. monthly premium (Boston) | $123-$143 | $176-$254 |
Massachusetts prohibits Medicare excess charges, so neither plan needs excess charge coverage. Supplement 1 (available only to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020) also covers the Part B deductible.
Massachusetts' community rating and year-round open enrollment are genuinely the most consumer-friendly Medigap rules in the country. Unlike most states where you can be denied coverage after your initial Open Enrollment Period, Massachusetts lets you switch carriers any month of the year without health questions. This means you can always shop for a lower premium if a carrier raises rates. Among the major carriers, AARP/UHC at $196/mo for Supplement 1A offers the best balance of price, brand recognition, and AARP member perks. BCBS Massachusetts at $233/mo is the most trusted local option with 71% market share. If you want the lowest Supplement 1A premium, Humana was at $176/mo - but note that Humana stopped accepting new MA Medigap enrollees in April 2026. Existing Humana members may stay enrolled.
Massachusetts Medigap Rules You Should Know
Massachusetts Uses a Unique Plan System
Massachusetts does not use the standard federal Medigap plan letters (A through N). Instead, Massachusetts offers three plan types: Core Plan (basic hospital and coinsurance coverage), Supplement 1 (available only to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020), and Supplement 1A (the most comprehensive plan, equivalent to Plan G in other states). When comparing Massachusetts plans to other states, Supplement 1A is the closest equivalent to Plan G.
Community Rating Required Statewide
Massachusetts requires all Medigap insurers to use community rating, meaning premiums are the same for all enrollees regardless of age or gender. A 75-year-old pays the same premium as a 65-year-old for the same plan from the same carrier. This is a major advantage over attained-age states where premiums rise significantly with age.
Continuous Open Enrollment Year-Round
Massachusetts requires Medigap insurers to offer continuous open enrollment, meaning you can enroll in, switch, or cancel a Medigap plan any month of the year without medical underwriting. Insurers cannot deny coverage, exclude pre-existing conditions, or require a waiting period. This is the most consumer-friendly Medigap enrollment rule in the country.
No Medicare Excess Charges in Massachusetts
Massachusetts law prohibits Medicare excess charges, meaning providers cannot bill more than the Medicare-approved amount. This eliminates one of the key differences between Plan G and Plan N in other states, since Plan N's lack of excess charge coverage is irrelevant in Massachusetts.
Free Counseling via SHINE Program
Massachusetts' Serving the Health Insurance Needs of Everyone (SHINE) program provides free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Call 1-800-243-4636 to speak with a trained counselor who can help you compare plans, understand your rights, and enroll. There is no cost and counselors do not sell insurance.
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)
Claims-paying ability and long-term stability
Customer Satisfaction
NAIC complaint ratios and member satisfaction surveys
Premium Competitiveness
Supplement 1A rates vs. Massachusetts market average
Plan Availability
Number of plan types offered in Massachusetts
Discounts and Value
Enrollment discounts, autopay discounts, and added benefits
Last updated: May 2026 | Data sources: NAIC complaint ratios, AM Best ratings, CMS Medicare Plan Finder, Massachusetts Division of Insurance, FairSquare Medicare
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the Best Medigap Rate in Your Massachusetts ZIP Code
Massachusetts has the most consumer-friendly Medigap rules in the country: community rating, year-round open enrollment, and no excess charges. Supplement 1A starts at $176/mo in Boston. Because you can switch any month without underwriting, you can always shop for a better rate. Enter your ZIP code to compare rates from all available carriers in your area.