I would talk to my doctors' office(s) and see what they take and how it would affect your current care. It is probable that you will need more care the older you get and having/not having the plan will affect the quality of that care. I think of it more as an investment and a "given" like rent, than negotiable. Many doctors will not take you if you do not have that Medigap policy so finding a doctor, never mind a specialist, could be very hard, especially when you are sick and having to figure things out on your own? What is covered by Medicare/Medicaid is also more limited and the Medigap policy helps there too, covering things that are not covered.