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Medicare Supplement Plan K 2027: Coverage, Out-of-Pocket Limit and Who It Fits

Reviewed by Russell Noga, Licensed Medicare Insurance Broker (all 50 states) — Last updated October 28, 2026

Medicare Supplement Plan K pays 50% of most of your Medicare cost sharing and caps what you spend each year. For 2027, CMS set the Plan K out-of-pocket limit at $8,360. Once you reach it and meet the Part B deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.

Plan K is built for people who want a lower premium but still want a ceiling on their worst-case year. You share most bills 50/50 with the plan, and the yearly limit stops a long illness from draining your savings.

This guide explains what Plan K covers, how the limit works, and how it stacks up against other plan letters. To see every letter side by side, use our Medicare Supplement plans comparison chart.

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What Medicare Supplement Plan K Covers

Medicare Supplement Plan K 2027 coverage: 100% hospital coinsurance, 50% of most costs and an $8,360 out-of-pocket limit

Plan K is a standardized plan, so its benefits are the same with every company that sells it in most states. It pays some costs in full, some at 50%, and some not at all.

Benefit Plan K pays
Part A hospital coinsurance plus 365 extra days after Medicare benefits end 100%
Part A deductible 50%
Part B coinsurance or copayment 50%
First 3 pints of blood 50%
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment 50%
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance 50%
Part B deductible Not covered
Part B excess charges Not covered
Foreign travel emergency care Not covered

Benefits from Medicare.gov. Plans are standardized differently in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

The 50% share applies until you reach the yearly out-of-pocket limit. After that, and once you have met the Part B deductible, Plan K pays 100% of covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

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The Plan K Out-of-Pocket Limit for 2027

The out-of-pocket limit is what makes Plan K different from most plan letters. CMS updates it every year, and it went up from 2026 to 2027.

Year Plan K limit Plan L limit
2026 $8,000 $4,000
2027 $8,360 $4,180

Source: CMS out-of-pocket limit announcements for Medicare Supplement Plans K and L (October 2025 and October 2026).

What counts toward it. Your 50% share of Medicare-approved costs the plan covers, such as half of the Part A deductible and half of Part B coinsurance.

What does not count. Your monthly premium and any Part B excess charges do not count toward the limit.

When it resets. The limit runs on a calendar year, so it starts over every January 1.

Broker tip: Think of the limit as your worst-case number. Add it to a year of premiums to see the most Plan K could cost you in a very bad year.

How Plan K Works in Real Life

A simple hospital stay shows how the 50% share works. The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. With Plan K, the plan pays half, or $868, and you pay the other $868.

1

You see the doctor. Medicare Part B pays 80% of the approved amount. After you meet the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), Plan K pays half of the other 20% and you pay half.

2

You go into the hospital. Plan K pays half of the Part A deductible. Part A hospital coinsurance for longer stays is covered at 100%.

3

Your costs add up. Each 50% share you pay counts toward the yearly limit.

4

You hit the limit. Once you reach it and have met the Part B deductible, Plan K pays 100% of covered costs until the year ends.

For someone who only sees the doctor a few times a year, the out-of-pocket costs stay small. The risk is a year with surgery, cancer treatment or a long rehab stay, where your 50% share can climb quickly until the limit stops it.

Plan K vs Plan L

Medicare Supplement Plan K vs Plan L for 2027: 50% vs 75% cost sharing and out-of-pocket limits

Plan L is Plan K’s close cousin. It covers the same benefits, but pays 75% instead of 50% and has a lower yearly limit. That extra coverage usually comes with a higher premium.

Feature Plan K Plan L
Share of most costs the plan pays 50% 75%
2027 out-of-pocket limit $8,360 $4,180
Part A hospital coinsurance and 365 extra days 100% 100%
Part B deductible Not covered Not covered
Part B excess charges Not covered Not covered

Benefits from Medicare.gov; 2027 limits from CMS.

Not every company sells Plan K or Plan L in every area, so check what is offered in your ZIP code before you compare prices.

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Plan K vs Plan G and Plan N

Plan G and Plan N have no out-of-pocket limit because they already cover most costs in full. They cost more per month, but your bills are far more predictable.

Plan G. Covers everything Plan K does at 100%, plus Part B excess charges and 80% of foreign travel emergencies. You pay only the Part B deductible. See our Medicare Supplement Plan G guide.

Plan N. Pays 100% of Part B coinsurance, except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not lead to admission. Read our Plan N guide.

High-Deductible Plan G. You pay a $3,050 deductible in 2027, then the plan pays like Plan G. Learn more about High-Deductible Plan G.

Compare the worst case for each. With High-Deductible Plan G it is $3,050 plus the Part B deductible. With Plan K it is $8,360. If both premiums are close, the high-deductible plan often gives you more protection.

Watch out: Plan K does not pay Part B excess charges. If your doctors do not accept Medicare assignment, they can bill up to 15% more, and you pay that amount yourself.

Who Medicare Supplement Plan K Fits Best

Healthy people on a budget. If you rarely need care, a lower premium can save money year after year.

People who want a ceiling. The yearly limit protects your savings from a very large bill.

People with savings set aside. You should be able to pay your 50% share, up to the limit, without hardship.

Plan K is a weaker fit if you have ongoing health problems, see specialists often, or expect a major treatment. In those cases, the 50% share can add up fast. Plan G or Plan N may cost less once you add up premiums and bills.

1

Add a year of premiums. Get Plan K quotes in your ZIP code and multiply the monthly rate by 12.

2

Add the worst case. Add the $8,360 limit for 2027 to that total.

3

Compare other letters. Do the same math for Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G.

4

Buy at the right time. During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, companies cannot turn you down or charge more for health problems.

Plan K is often one of the lower-priced letters, but rates vary by company, age and ZIP code. See our list of the cheapest Medicare Supplement plans to compare it with other low-cost options.

Bottom Line

Medicare Supplement Plan K trades a lower premium for a 50% share of most costs, with an $8,360 yearly cap in 2027. It works best for healthy people who have savings to cover a bad year. Compare your total yearly risk, not just the premium, against Plan G, Plan N and High-Deductible Plan G before you choose.

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Medicare Supplement Plan K — Frequently Asked Questions

➤ What is the Plan K out-of-pocket limit for 2027?

CMS set the 2027 Plan K limit at $8,360, up from $8,000 in 2026. After you reach it and meet the Part B deductible, Plan K pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.

➤ What does Plan K pay at 100%?

Plan K pays the Part A hospital coinsurance and up to 365 extra hospital days after Medicare benefits run out in full. Most other benefits are paid at 50% until you reach the yearly limit.

➤ Does Plan K cover the Part B deductible?

No. You pay the Part B deductible yourself, which is $283 in 2026. The 2027 amount is projected at $292, and CMS usually announces it in the fall.

➤ Does Plan K cover Part B excess charges?

No. If a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment and charges up to 15% more, you pay that excess amount, and it does not count toward your limit.

➤ Does Plan K cover care outside the U.S.?

No. Plan K does not include the foreign travel emergency benefit. Plan G and Plan N cover 80% of emergency care abroad after a deductible.

➤ What is the difference between Plan K and Plan L?

Plan L pays 75% of most costs instead of 50%, and its 2027 limit is $4,180 instead of $8,360. Plan L usually has a higher premium than Plan K.

➤ Is Plan K cheaper than Plan G?

Plan K usually has a lower premium than Plan G because you share more of your costs. Prices depend on the company, your age and your ZIP code, so compare quotes for both.

➤ Can I use any doctor with Plan K?

Yes. Plan K works with any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. There are no networks or referrals.

New to Medicare?

If you are new to Medicare, then you can enroll in a 2027 Medicare Supplement plan up to six months prior to your Medicare Part B effective date.

Call one of our licensed insurance agents to see what the best time frame is for you to enroll, based on your current situation. You can contact them at 1-855-409-6195.

Medicare Supplement Quotes

Call a Licensed Agent Now

Compare 2027 Plan G, Plan N and more from several insurance companies in one call.

☎ 1-855-409-6195

No obligation to enroll

Compare plans & benefits in your area

Or speak with a licensed insurance agent

1-855-409-6195TTY 711

Mon-Fri: 5am-7pm, Sat-Sun: 7am-4pm CT

Medicare Supplement Plans 2027
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This website and the Medicare Supplement insurance plans referenced on it are not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) insurance is sold by private insurance companies. MedicareSupplementPlans2027.org is a website owned and operated by ZRN Health & Financial Services, LLC, a Texas limited liability company and licensed insurance agency. We do not offer every plan or insurance company available in your area; any information we provide is limited to the plans and companies we represent. Plan availability, benefits and premiums vary by state, age, gender, tobacco use, ZIP code and insurance company, and are subject to underwriting where permitted by law. Rates and figures shown on this site may reflect 2026 data and are for informational purposes only; your actual premium will be determined by the insurance company. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Medicare Supplement plans are not Medicare Advantage plans and do not include prescription drug coverage. By submitting your information in the form, you agree to this site's privacy policy and expressly consent to be contacted at the number entered in the form (including a wireless number if provided) by licensed insurance agents or other partners offering related products that may be of interest to you, by phone, email or text. You understand that these calls may be generated using an automatic telephone dialing system, a pre-recorded message or artificial voice, or by sending SMS messages. Your telephone company may impose additional charges for such messages. You understand that you are not required to provide this consent to purchase goods or services. Receiving quotes through our website is always free, and you are under no obligation to purchase any goods or services as a result of this request. For information on all of your Medicare options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP).