Medigap Plan G vs Plan N
These two plans cover the same big things; they diverge in the small ones. We'll show you the differences in plain English and when each plan wins on total cost.
The short version
Plan G covers everything Original Medicare leaves you with except the Part B deductible. Plan N covers almost the same, but adds up to $20 per office visit, up to $50 per ER visit (waived if admitted), and leaves you exposed to Part B excess charges. Plan N premiums are lower; Plan G has more predictable costs.
Side-by-side comparison
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered (100%) | Covered except $20/visit, $50/ER |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| First 3 pints of blood | Covered | Covered |
| Hospice coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% up to plan limit | 80% up to plan limit |
When Plan G usually wins
- You see specialists or your primary care doctor often
- You travel and want predictable costs anywhere in the country
- Your providers don't all accept Medicare assignment (excess-charge risk)
- You don't want to think about copays at the front desk
When Plan N usually wins
- You're generally healthy and don't see doctors much
- Your providers all accept assignment (or excess charges are banned in your state)
- The annual premium savings vs Plan G clearly beat your expected copays
- You want the lower monthly cost and can absorb occasional copays
High-deductible Plan G
High-Deductible Plan G is worth knowing about. You pay an annual deductible (set each year by CMS) before Medigap benefits kick in, in exchange for a much lower premium. Good for healthy people who want catastrophic-style protection without the higher monthly cost of standard Plan G.
Open Enrollment is your one guaranteed shot
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a 6-month window starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers must sell you any Medigap plan they offer at the best available rate regardless of health. Outside this window, in most states, they can use medical underwriting.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Plan G or Plan N better?
- Plan G has the most predictable costs after the small annual Part B deductible. Plan N has lower premiums but adds copays for office visits and ER visits and doesn't cover Part B excess charges. For people who use care frequently, Plan G is usually cheaper overall.
- What is a Part B excess charge?
- Some doctors don't accept Medicare assignment and can bill up to 15% more than Medicare's approved amount. Plan G covers that excess; Plan N does not. Excess charges are illegal in a handful of states (including New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont).
- Why is Plan F not on this list?
- Plan F was discontinued for people newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. If you were eligible before that date, you can still buy or keep Plan F. Plan G is the closest equivalent now offered to newly eligible enrollees.
- Are Plan G and Plan N premiums the same in every state?
- No. Premiums are set by insurer, state, ZIP code, age, gender (in most states), and tobacco use. The benefits are standardized federally, so a Plan G is the same plan from any company, but the price for that same plan can vary by hundreds of dollars per month.
- Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later?
- Yes, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue right, insurers can use medical underwriting and decline or rate up your application. A few states (California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Washington) have rules that make switching easier.
Get the right Medigap, the first time
The biggest mistake we see is buying on price alone, then trying to switch after a health event makes underwriting hard. Check your window first.
Educational resource. Not legal, tax, or insurance advice.