Plans & Coverage
Wisconsin Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans
Wisconsin is one of only three states with its own standardized Medicare Supplement (Medigap) system. Instead of the national letter plans (A through N), Wisconsin residents start with a state-standardized Basic Plan and add optional riders to customize their coverage. The result is a more flexible but more complex choice — and one where working with a local Wisconsin-licensed advisor matters. Medigap works alongside Original Medicare to pay your share of costs, with no provider networks: see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.
The Wisconsin Basic Plan
Every Wisconsin Medigap policy starts with the Basic Plan, which is mandatory. It covers: Medicare Part B coinsurance (the 20% you owe after Medicare pays), Part A hospital coinsurance for days 61–150, 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits are exhausted, the first 3 pints of blood each year, and hospice care costs. This is your foundation — all riders stack on top.
Optional riders — build your coverage
Key riders include: (1) Part A Deductible Rider — covers the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) per benefit period; (2) Part B Excess Charges Rider — covers the 15% extra that non-participating providers can charge above Medicare's approved amounts; (3) Part B Deductible Rider — covers the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026); (4) Foreign Travel Emergency Rider — emergency care outside the U.S.; and (5) Home Health Care Rider — additional skilled-care days. We compare every rider combination across every carrier.
Wisconsin vs. national plan equivalents
If you've heard of Plan G or Plan N: Wisconsin's Basic Plan + Part A Deductible + Part B Excess Rider provides functionally equivalent coverage to national Plan G (you still owe the Part B deductible annually, $283 in 2026). Adding the Part B Deductible Rider brings it to Plan F-equivalent — but only those grandfathered before January 2020 can access that nationally. Basic + Part A Deductible only (without the excess rider) is close to Plan N coverage.
Minnesota Medigap for Winona clients
Minnesota also has its own standardized Medigap system — different again from Wisconsin and from the national letter plans. Minnesota offers a Basic Plan and Extended Basic Plan with optional riders. We are licensed in both states and compare your options correctly based on your zip code, not a generic national framework.
Wisconsin Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage
Medigap: higher monthly premium, near-total provider freedom, no drug coverage (add Part D). Medicare Advantage: lower or $0 premium, uses a provider network, usually includes drug coverage and extra benefits. The right path depends on your health, your providers (Gundersen or Mayo), your travel patterns, and your budget. We model both paths for your specific situation.
Questions, answered
Does Wisconsin have Plan G or Plan N?
No. Wisconsin does not use the federal A–N Medigap letter system. Wisconsin has a state-standardized Basic Plan with optional riders. We identify the rider combination that gives you equivalent coverage to Plan G or Plan N — and we use the correct Wisconsin terminology so there's no confusion.
Can I switch to a Wisconsin Medigap policy later?
You have a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you first enroll in Part B at 65, during which Wisconsin carriers must accept you regardless of health history. After that, switching typically requires health underwriting. We track your window and tell you exactly when to move.
Does Wisconsin Medigap cover prescriptions?
No. Wisconsin Medicare Supplement plans don't include drug coverage. You pair your Medigap policy with a standalone Part D plan — we set both up together so your coverage is complete from day one.
How much does a Wisconsin Medicare Supplement cost?
Premiums depend on your age, the riders you add, and the carrier. A Basic Plan with Part A Deductible and Part B Excess Charges riders (Plan G equivalent) typically runs $80–$180/month for a 65-year-old in the La Crosse area, with significant variation by carrier. We compare every carrier in La Crosse and Winona counties at no cost to you.
Talk to a local La Crosse area advisor
Free, no pressure — we compare your options for you.