Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N: Which Medicare Supplement Saves More in 2026?

Q: Is Medigap Plan G or Plan N cheaper?

Plan N has lower monthly premiums — typically $20–$60 less per month than Plan G. However, Plan N has cost-sharing: a $20 copay for doctor visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission. Whether Plan N actually saves you money depends on how often you see doctors. If you visit the doctor fewer than 15 times per year, Plan N is usually cheaper overall.

Q: Does Plan G cover the Part B deductible?

No. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan F used to cover it, but Plan F is no longer available to people who became Medicare-eligible after January 1, 2020. Both G and N cover everything else after you meet the deductible.

Q: What is a Part B excess charge?

A Part B excess charge occurs when a doctor who accepts Medicare but is not a 'participating provider' charges up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers these excess charges; Plan N does not. In practice, fewer than 1% of Medicare claims involve excess charges, so this is a minor risk for most beneficiaries.

Q: Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later?

Yes, but you may face medical underwriting. Outside of your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (6 months starting when your Part B begins) and certain guaranteed issue situations, insurance companies can ask health questions and potentially deny coverage or charge higher rates. Some states (CA, CT, MA, ME, NY, OR) guarantee annual switching rights.

Q: When is the best time to buy a Medigap plan?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6 months starting when you're both 65+ and enrolled in Part B. During this window, companies must sell you any Medigap plan at the best price regardless of health. After this period, you may face medical underwriting, higher premiums, or denial.

Plan G vs. Plan N: Quick Overview

Since Plan F became unavailable to new Medicare beneficiaries in 2020, Plan G and Plan N have emerged as the two most popular Medigap choices. Both cover the vast majority of out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind — they just differ in a few key areas.

Complete Coverage Comparison

Benefit	Plan G	Plan N
Part A hospital coinsurance + 365 extra days	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part B coinsurance/copay	✅ 100% covered	✅ Covered with copays*
Blood (first 3 pints)	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part A hospice coinsurance	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026)	✅ Covered	✅ Covered
Part B deductible ($257 in 2026)	❌ Not covered	❌ Not covered
Part B excess charges	✅ Covered	❌ Not covered
Foreign travel emergency (80%)	✅ Covered	✅ Covered

*Plan N requires a $20 copay for office visits and up to $50 copay for ER visits not resulting in an inpatient admission.

2026 Monthly Premium Comparison by State

Premiums vary significantly by state, age, gender, and carrier. Here are representative monthly premiums for a 65-year-old female non-smoker:

State	Plan G (Monthly)	Plan N (Monthly)	Monthly Savings with N	Annual Savings
Florida	$165	$118	$47	$564
Texas	$148	$108	$40	$480
California	$172	$125	$47	$564
New York	$285	$215	$70	$840
Ohio	$128	$92	$36	$432
Pennsylvania	$142	$105	$37	$444
Illinois	$155	$112	$43	$516
National Average	$155	$112	$43	$516

The Math: When Plan N Saves You Money

Plan N's lower premium comes with cost-sharing. To determine which plan actually costs less, you need to calculate your total annual costs:

Plan G Total Annual Cost:

•Monthly premium × 12

•Plus Part B deductible: $257

•That's it — no other out-of-pocket costs

Plan N Total Annual Cost:

•Monthly premium × 12

•Plus Part B deductible: $257

•Plus $20 copay × number of doctor visits

•Plus potential $50 ER copay (non-admission visits)

•Plus potential Part B excess charges (rare, <1% of claims)

Break-Even Calculation (National Averages):

Plan G annual cost:** ($155 × 12) + $257 = **$2,117

Plan N annual cost:** ($112 × 12) + $257 + ($20 × doctor visits) = **$1,601 + ($20 × visits)

Break-even point: $2,117 = $1,601 + ($20 × visits)

$516 ÷ $20 = 25.8 doctor visits per year

If you visit the doctor fewer than 26 times per year, Plan N saves you money. The average Medicare beneficiary has 7–10 office visits annually, making Plan N the cheaper option for most people.

Who Should Choose Plan G?

•You see doctors **more than 20 times per year** (chronic conditions, multiple specialists)

•You value **zero copay predictability** — you want to know your exact costs upfront

•You regularly see doctors who are **non-participating Medicare providers** (excess charge risk)

•You have a **complex medical situation** with frequent specialist visits

•You want the **closest thing to Plan F** (the gold standard before 2020)

Who Should Choose Plan N?

•You're in **relatively good health** with fewer than 15 doctor visits annually

•You want the **lowest monthly premium** for comprehensive Medigap coverage

•You're comfortable with **small, predictable copays** ($20 per visit)

•Most of your doctors are **participating Medicare providers** (almost all are)

•You want to **save $400–$800/year** over Plan G

The Excess Charge Question

Plan G covers Part B excess charges; Plan N does not. Should you worry?

The reality: Fewer than 1% of Medicare claims involve excess charges. Only doctors who are "non-participating" (they accept Medicare rates but haven't signed the participation agreement) can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount.

Example: If the Medicare-approved amount for a visit is $200, a non-participating doctor could charge up to $230. The $30 excess is your responsibility with Plan N. Plan G covers it.

Practical advice: Before choosing a doctor, check if they're a participating Medicare provider at Medicare.gov. If all your regular doctors participate, excess charges are a non-issue and shouldn't drive your Plan G vs. Plan N decision.

How Medigap Premiums Change Over Time

Medigap premiums increase over time, but the rate of increase depends on the pricing method your carrier uses:

Pricing Method	How It Works	Common In
Community-rated	Same premium regardless of age	NY, CT, MA, VT, WA, ME
Issue-age-rated	Based on age when you bought it, doesn't increase with age	Several states
Attained-age-rated	Based on current age, increases as you get older	Most common nationwide

With attained-age pricing, expect premiums to increase 2–5% annually due to age alone, plus potential general rate increases. A Plan G that costs $155/month at age 65 might cost $250–$300/month by age 80.

Tips for Choosing and Saving

1**Shop during your Medigap OEP** — You get guaranteed issue rights for 6 months starting when your Part B begins. Don't wait.

2**Compare at least 5 carriers** — Medigap plans are standardized. Plan G from one carrier is identical to Plan G from another. Only the price differs.

3**Ask about household discounts** — Many carriers offer 5–12% discounts if your spouse also has a policy.

4**Consider issue-age-rated carriers** — Higher initial premium, but costs less over 20+ years than attained-age.

5**Review annually** — While switching requires underwriting, comparing keeps you informed about the market.

Ad Unit: 336×280 Rectangle

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Medigap Plan G or Plan N cheaper?

Plan N has lower monthly premiums — typically $20–$60 less per month than Plan G. However, Plan N has cost-sharing: a $20 copay for doctor visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission. Whether Plan N actually saves you money depends on how often you see doctors. If you visit the doctor fewer than 15 times per year, Plan N is usually cheaper overall.

Does Plan G cover the Part B deductible?

No. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Plan F used to cover it, but Plan F is no longer available to people who became Medicare-eligible after January 1, 2020. Both G and N cover everything else after you meet the deductible.

What is a Part B excess charge?

A Part B excess charge occurs when a doctor who accepts Medicare but is not a 'participating provider' charges up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers these excess charges; Plan N does not. In practice, fewer than 1% of Medicare claims involve excess charges, so this is a minor risk for most beneficiaries.

Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later?

Yes, but you may face medical underwriting. Outside of your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period (6 months starting when your Part B begins) and certain guaranteed issue situations, insurance companies can ask health questions and potentially deny coverage or charge higher rates. Some states (CA, CT, MA, ME, NY, OR) guarantee annual switching rights.

When is the best time to buy a Medigap plan?

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6 months starting when you're both 65+ and enrolled in Part B. During this window, companies must sell you any Medigap plan at the best price regardless of health. After this period, you may face medical underwriting, higher premiums, or denial.

Jennifer Walsh, RN

Health Insurance Specialist & Registered Nurse

Jennifer is a registered nurse with 10 years of experience in healthcare and insurance navigation. She helps Medicare-eligible individuals understand their options and has guided thousands of beneficiaries through the enrollment process.

Updated March 2026

Health & Medicare

Medicare vs Medicare Advantage – 2026 Changes You Need to Know

14 min read

Sources & References

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – Medigap Policies. https://www.cms.gov/ — Accessed March 2026
Medicare.gov – Comparing Medigap Policies. https://www.medicare.gov/ — Accessed March 2026
NAIC – Medicare Supplement Insurance Rate Filing. https://content.naic.org/ — Accessed March 2026

Important Disclaimer

This site provides general educational information only and is not a substitute for professional insurance advice. All rates, data, and coverage details are estimates and may not reflect your actual premiums. Insurance availability and pricing vary by state, insurer, and individual risk factors. Always consult a licensed insurance professional in your state before making coverage decisions.