Gen Re U.S. Medicare Supplement Market Survey Shows Strong Sales Results

Carriers Reported Strong Sales Results for Medicare Supplement Insurance

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gen Re released its U.S. Medicare Supplement Market Survey, reporting strong sales results across the industry. Forty-six carriers participated in the survey, representing $17.8 billion in total inforce premium. New sales increased 39% year over year to $1.9 billion, while the number of new lives covered rose 32% to more than 1 million.

Key Findings from the Gen Re U.S. Medicare Supplement Market Survey:

• By block status, open blocks of Med Supp inforce premium grew 17% to $10.4 billion, representing 59% of total inforce premium. Closed blocks of inforce premium grew 4% reaching $7.4 billion.
• Lapse rates, including mortality, averaged 11% for open blocks of business and 14% for closed blocks in 2025.
• Plan G accounts for 71% of new sales premium and 68% of new lives covered in 2025.
• 83% of the Med Supp applications received by carriers were sent electronically; only 12% were paper.
• 81% of the participating companies reported an increase in fraudulent DME claims in 2025 compared to 2024.
• 90% of the participating companies sell Med Supp plans through independent agents, resulting in 79% of total sales premium in 2025. Sixty percent of participating companies sell directly to consumers, accounting for 19% of the total sales premium.

Fast Facts:

- $17.8 billion in inforce premium
- 39% increase in new sales premium
- 1.03 million new lives covered
- 46 carriers participated

“This year's survey reflects one of the strongest growth periods we've seen in the Medicare Supplement market," said Jean-Felix Huet, Sr. Account Executive with Gen Re. "With $1.9 billion in new sales, continued growth in open blocks, and widespread adoption of electronic applications, carriers are successfully meeting the needs of a growing Medicare population while improving the customer experience."

The annual Gen Re U.S. Medicare Supplement Market Survey covers new sales and inforce business, performance, lapse rates, claim trends, and rate filings, as well as many Med Supp functions including underwriting, claims and distribution for carriers with open and/or closed blocks of business.

The full results are available only to participating companies. Read about the 2026 U.S. Medicare Supplement Market Survey summary results at genre.com/lhsurveys.

About Gen Re
Gen Re, a Berkshire Hathaway Company, is one of the leading Life/Health and Property/Casualty reinsurers in the world. Gen Re delivers customized reinsurance programs and risk management solutions for the Life, Medicare Supplement, and Individual Disability Income insurance markets. Our North American Life/Health reinsurance company, General Re Life Corporation, has superior financial strength ratings among Life and Health reinsurers. Through our research, we also offer valuable information and insights. www.genre.com