Medicare SELECT: The Network-Based Medigap Option Explained

Updated June 4, 20267 min readReviewed against medicare.gov

Medicare SELECT is a type of Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy that asks you to use a defined network of hospitals — and sometimes doctors — to get full benefits, in exchange for premiums that are often lower than a standard Medigap plan with the same lettered coverage.

What Medicare SELECT actually is

Medicare SELECT is not a separate category of coverage — it is a version of one of the standardized Medigap plans (such as Plan A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, or N, depending on your state and eligibility). A SELECT version of a given lettered plan offers the same standardized benefits as the non-SELECT version of that same letter. The single defining difference is the provider network.

Like all Medigap policies, Medicare SELECT works alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). It is sold by private insurance companies and is designed to help pay some of the out-of-pocket costs Original Medicare leaves behind, such as the Part A hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period and the 20% coinsurance you generally owe under Part B after meeting the $283 annual deductible in 2026.

Availability is limited. Medicare SELECT is only offered in states that permit it and only where an insurer has built a provider network, so it may not be available where you live.

It is a Medigap policy, not Medicare Advantage and not a standalone plan
It carries the same standardized benefits as the matching lettered Medigap plan
Its defining feature is a hospital (and sometimes doctor) network
It is only sold in some states and some service areas

How the network rules work

With Medicare SELECT, you generally must use the plan's network hospitals — and in some plans, network doctors — for non-emergency care to receive the policy's full supplemental benefits. This is the trade-off that distinguishes SELECT from a standard Medigap policy, which lets you see any provider in the U.S. that accepts Medicare.

An important protection applies no matter which provider you choose: Original Medicare still pays its own share of approved costs whether or not the hospital or doctor is in the SELECT network. What changes is the supplemental portion. If you receive non-emergency care outside the network, the plan may pay little or none of the gap that Medicare doesn't cover, leaving you responsible for those out-of-pocket costs.

Emergencies are treated differently. Care you need in a genuine emergency is generally covered even if you cannot reach a network hospital. Some SELECT plans also require a referral from your primary doctor before you see a specialist, so read the specific policy's rules before enrolling.

Network required for full benefits on non-emergency care
Original Medicare always pays its share, in or out of network
Out-of-network, non-emergency care can leave large unpaid gaps
Emergency care is generally covered regardless of network

Costs and the premium trade-off

Because the insurer negotiates with a limited set of providers, Medicare SELECT premiums are often lower than those of the equivalent standard Medigap plan with the same letter. For people who are comfortable using network hospitals, that can mean real monthly savings for identical standardized benefits.

Keep in mind that a Medigap or SELECT premium is separate from the premiums you pay for Medicare itself. In 2026, the standard Part B premium is $202.90 per month, and higher earners pay more through IRMAA — a total Part B amount ranging from $284.10 to $689.90 per month for those above the income thresholds (more than $109,000 single or $218,000 joint, based on 2024 tax returns). Medigap policies, including SELECT, do not replace or reduce these Medicare premiums.

Medigap and SELECT policies also do not include prescription drug coverage. For Part D drug coverage you would enroll separately; the national base beneficiary premium for Part D in 2026 is $38.99 per month, and the annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs is $2,100.

SELECT premiums are often lower than the matching standard Medigap plan
You still pay your own Medicare premiums, such as Part B at $202.90/mo in 2026
Neither SELECT nor any Medigap plan covers prescription drugs — Part D is separate

Your right to switch within 12 months

Federal law gives Medicare SELECT enrollees a built-in escape hatch. If you buy a Medicare SELECT policy and decide the network does not work for you, you have the right to switch to a standard (non-network) Medigap policy within the first 12 months.

When you exercise this right, the standardized Medigap plan you move to must offer the same benefits as — or fewer benefits than — your SELECT policy. If you have had the SELECT policy for more than six months, you generally won't have to answer medical-underwriting questions to make this switch, which protects people whose health has changed since enrolling.

This guaranteed switch right is one reason some people try a lower-premium SELECT plan first. If the network proves too restrictive, they can move to a broader Medigap policy without the medical underwriting that often applies to Medigap changes made outside of protected windows.

Federal law allows a switch to standard Medigap within 12 months
The new plan must have equal or fewer benefits
After 6 months on SELECT, no medical questions generally apply to the switch

Is Medicare SELECT right for you?

Medicare SELECT can be a sensible fit if you already use, and are happy with, the hospitals in the plan's network and you want a lower premium for the same standardized benefits. It tends to fit people who don't travel extensively and who live near network facilities.

It may be a poor fit if you split time between states, want the freedom to use any Medicare-accepting hospital, or value avoiding referral requirements. Because availability, networks, premiums, and rules vary by insurer and by state, compare the specific SELECT policy against the standard version of the same lettered plan before deciding.

This guide is educational and independent. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal government or the Medicare program. For plan specifics, confirm details with the insurer and with official Medicare resources, and consider contacting your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased counseling.

Good fit: you like the network hospitals and want a lower premium
Weaker fit: frequent travelers or those wanting full provider freedom
Always compare the SELECT policy to the standard version of the same letter

Frequently asked questions

Is Medicare SELECT the same as Medicare Advantage?

No. Medicare SELECT is a type of Medigap (Medicare Supplement) policy that works alongside Original Medicare and helps pay its out-of-pocket costs. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a different program that replaces the way you get your Part A and Part B benefits. They are not the same, even though both can involve provider networks.

What happens if I go to a hospital outside the SELECT network?

For non-emergency care, Original Medicare still pays its share, but your SELECT policy may pay little or none of the remaining gap, leaving you responsible for those costs. In a genuine emergency, care is generally covered even at a non-network hospital. Always check your specific policy's rules.

Are Medicare SELECT premiums really lower?

They often are. Because the insurer negotiates with a limited network of providers, the SELECT version of a lettered plan frequently has a lower premium than the standard version of the same plan with identical standardized benefits. The exact savings vary by insurer and state.

Can I switch out of a Medicare SELECT plan later?

Yes. Federal law lets you switch to a standard Medigap policy within the first 12 months. The new plan must have the same or fewer benefits, and if you've held the SELECT policy more than six months, you generally won't face medical-underwriting questions for the switch.

Does Medicare SELECT cover prescription drugs?

No. Like all Medigap policies, Medicare SELECT does not include prescription drug coverage. If you want drug coverage, you enroll separately in a Medicare Part D plan. In 2026, Part D has a national base beneficiary premium of $38.99 per month and a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on covered drugs.

Is Medicare SELECT available everywhere?

No. It is only sold in states that permit it and only in areas where an insurer has built a provider network. Availability, networks, and rules vary, so check what is offered in your specific location.

Sources

Related guides

Medigap (Supplement) Plans

Medigap Pricing Explained: Community-Rated vs. Issue-Age vs. Attained-Age

Medicare Login Guide is an independent resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or any government agency. This article is for general information only — confirm current figures and your specific options at medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.