Plan G and Plan N are two of the most widely considered Medicare Supplement options for people using Original Medicare.
Both cover many of the same out-of-pocket costs, but they differ in monthly premium, office and emergency room copays,
and protection from Medicare Part B excess charges.
Plan GMore Predictable
Covers Part B excess charges and has no Plan N-style office or ER copays.
Plan NLower-Cost Tradeoff
Often lower premium, with some office and ER copays and no excess-charge coverage.
Both Plans$283 Deductible
Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the 2026 Medicare Part B deductible.
Quick Answer
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G generally provides the more predictable cost structure. After you meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible,
Plan G covers the standardized Part B coinsurance benefit and also covers Part B excess charges. Plan N covers many of the
same Medigap benefits, but you can owe up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an
inpatient admission. Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges.
The tradeoff is usually premium versus cost-sharing. Plan N often has a lower monthly premium, while Plan G is designed for people who
value fewer point-of-service costs and protection from excess charges. Premiums vary by insurance company, location, age, rating method,
and other factors.
2026 Comparison
Plan G vs. Plan N: Side-by-Side Benefits
In most states, standardized Medigap plans with the same letter provide the same basic benefits regardless of the insurance company.
The chart below focuses on the standardized benefits that matter most when comparing Plan G and Plan N.
Medigap Benefit
Plan G
Plan N
Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, including up to 365 additional days
✓ 100%
✓ 100%
Part B coinsurance or copayment
✓ 100%
Limited copays may apply
Blood, first 3 pints
✓ 100%
✓ 100%
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
✓ 100%
✓ 100%
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
✓ 100%
✓ 100%
Part A deductible
✓ 100%
✓ 100%
Part B deductible
✕ Not covered
✕ Not covered
Part B excess charges
✓ 100%
✕ Not covered
Foreign travel emergency, up to plan limits
80%
80%
Plan-specific annual out-of-pocket limit
N/A
N/A
Plan N copay rule: Plan N pays 100% of the standardized Part B coinsurance benefit except for a copayment of up to $20
for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.
How They Work
Plan G and Plan N Cover Many of the Same Gaps
Both plans work with Original Medicare. Medicare pays its share first for Medicare-covered services, then the Medigap policy pays
according to the standardized benefits of the plan you purchased.
Medigap Plan G
Designed for More Predictable Cost-Sharing
Plan G is one of the most comprehensive standardized Medigap options available to people who became newly eligible for Medicare
on or after January 1, 2020.
Covers the standardized Part A deductible benefit.
Covers Part B coinsurance after the Part B deductible is met.
Covers Medicare Part B excess charges.
Includes 80% foreign travel emergency coverage up to plan limits.
Does not cover the annual Medicare Part B deductible.
2026 Part B deductible: $283
Both Plan G and Plan N require you to pay this deductible yourself.
Medigap Plan N
Trades Some Cost-Sharing for Potential Premium Savings
Plan N provides broad standardized Medigap coverage but keeps several costs with the beneficiary that Plan G covers.
Up to $20 copay for some office visits.
Up to $50 copay for ER visits that do not lead to inpatient admission.
Does not cover Part B excess charges.
Covers the standardized Part A deductible benefit.
Includes 80% foreign travel emergency coverage up to plan limits.
Premium matters
Plan N often costs less per month than Plan G, but actual rates vary by carrier and location. Compare the annual premium difference
against the cost-sharing you may use during the year.
Key Difference
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
Excess charges can apply when certain non-participating Medicare providers do not accept the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full.
This is one of the clearest differences between Plan G and Plan N.
Plan G Covers Excess Charges. Plan N Does Not.
Medicare says non-participating providers who do not accept assignment can, in many cases, charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved
amount. This is called the limiting charge. Plan G includes the standardized Part B excess-charge benefit, while Plan N does not.
There is no universal winner. The better choice depends on the premium difference in your area, how much cost predictability you want,
and how comfortable you are with Plan N's copays and excess-charge exposure.
Plan G May Be a Better Fit If You...
Prefer fewer point-of-service costs after the Part B deductible.
Want coverage for Part B excess charges.
See physicians or specialists frequently and value predictability.
Are comfortable paying a potentially higher monthly premium for broader standardized benefits.
Plan N May Be a Better Fit If You...
Want to explore a potentially lower monthly Medigap premium.
Are comfortable paying limited office and ER copays.
Understand that Part B excess charges are not covered.
Prefer to trade some cost predictability for potential premium savings.
Better Comparison Method
Compare total annual cost, not premium alone.
A lower premium is valuable only if the additional cost-sharing remains acceptable. Compare the annual premium difference between Plan G
and Plan N, then consider likely office visits, possible ER use, and your comfort with excess charges. The best plan is the one that fits
both your budget and your preferred level of predictability.
Enrollment Timing
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period Matters
Plan choice is important, but the timing of your Medigap application can matter just as much.
One-Time 6-Month Window
Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period generally starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are age 65 or older,
and lasts six months.
Health Questions Can Matter Later
After this one-time window, an insurer may be allowed to use medical underwriting, deny an application, or charge more unless you
have a guaranteed issue right or additional protection under state law.
State Rules Can Differ
Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Medigap differently, and some states provide additional switching or guaranteed
issue protections beyond the federal rules.
Another Option
High-Deductible Plan G in 2026
Plan G also has a high-deductible version in some states. It is structurally different from standard Plan G and should be compared separately.
2026 High-Deductible Amount
$2,950 before the high-deductible policy begins paying
Medicare states that with high-deductible Plan G, you must pay Medicare-covered costs such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles up to
the plan's high-deductible amount before the policy begins paying. The 2026 high-deductible amount is $2,950.
Medigap Basics
What Both Plan G and Plan N Have in Common
They Work With Original Medicare
Medigap is supplemental coverage. You generally must have Medicare Part A and Part B, and you continue using Original Medicare for your
primary Medicare benefits.
They Do Not Include Part D
Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include outpatient prescription drug coverage. If you want Medicare drug coverage, you generally
enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan.
They Are Standardized
In most states, every policy with the same Medigap letter must provide the same standardized basic benefits. Premiums can vary significantly
between insurance companies even when the lettered benefits are the same.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Plan G vs. Plan N
What is the main difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers Medicare Part B excess charges and does not use Plan N's office and ER copay structure. Plan N can require up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for certain ER visits, and it does not cover Part B excess charges.
Do Plan G and Plan N both require the Part B deductible?
Yes. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the Medicare Part B deductible. The Part B deductible is $283 in 2026.
Does Plan N really have a $20 copay every time I see a doctor?
No. Medicare describes Plan N as allowing a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits. The exact cost depends on the service and how Medicare processes the claim.
When does the Plan N $50 emergency room copay apply?
Plan N can require a copayment of up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.
Does Plan N cover Part B excess charges?
No. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan G does cover the standardized Part B excess-charge benefit.
Can I use Plan G or Plan N with Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap supplements Original Medicare and cannot be used to pay Medicare Advantage copayments, deductibles, or premiums. You generally choose Original Medicare with Medigap or Medicare Advantage, not both.
Do Plan G and Plan N include prescription drug coverage?
No. Medigap policies sold after 2005 do not include prescription drug coverage. People using Original Medicare and Medigap commonly consider a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Is Plan G always better than Plan N?
No. Plan G provides broader standardized cost-sharing protection, while Plan N may offer a lower premium in exchange for certain copays and no excess-charge coverage. The better value depends on the premium difference and your preferences.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
Possibly, but after your Medigap Open Enrollment Period you may have to answer health questions or go through medical underwriting unless you have a guaranteed issue right or state-specific protection. Do not assume switching later will be automatic.
Medigap benefits are standardized in most states, but premiums, underwriting rules, availability, and state protections can vary. These
official Medicare resources are the primary references for this comparison.
Premiums can vary considerably even when the standardized benefits are the same. Compare Plan G and Plan N based on your budget,
physicians, expected medical use, and preference for predictable out-of-pocket costs.
Senior Healthcare Planning is an independent insurance agency that provides education, guidance, and enrollment assistance for Medicare-related
insurance products, including Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Prescription Drug Plans. Senior Healthcare Planning is not connected
with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Plan availability, premiums, underwriting, discounts, and state
rules vary. This information is educational and is not a guarantee of eligibility or coverage.
