Medicare Plan G vs Plan N: Which Medigap Is Better?

# Medicare Plan G vs Plan N: Which Medigap Is Better?

With Medicare Plan F no longer available to newly eligible beneficiaries, Plan G and Plan N have become the two most popular Medigap options on the market. Both offer meaningful protection from out-of-pocket costs under Original Medicare, but they cover different things and carry different premiums. Choosing between them comes down to how often you use medical care and how much premium savings you're willing to trade for slightly more cost-sharing at the point of service.

What Medigap Plans G and N Have in Common

Because Medigap plans are standardized by letter, a Plan G from one insurance carrier covers exactly the same benefits as a Plan G from any other carrier. The same is true for Plan N. That standardization makes it safe to compare plans across companies purely on price, once you've settled on the letter.

Both Plan G and Plan N cover:

• The Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
• The Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• The Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment (with one key exception for Plan N, explained below)
• The first three pints of blood each year
• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
• The Medicare Part A deductible
• Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)

Neither plan covers the Medicare Part B deductible, which you'll pay out of pocket each year before Medicare picks up its share. For current deductible amounts, check Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Where Plan G and Plan N Differ

The real differences between these two plans are narrow but meaningful depending on how you use healthcare.

Plan G pays 100% of the Medicare Part B coinsurance after you've met the Part B deductible. Once you've satisfied that annual deductible, Plan G pays everything Medicare approves with essentially no further out-of-pocket costs for covered services. That predictability appeals to beneficiaries who see specialists frequently, manage chronic conditions, or simply want the peace of mind of knowing their costs are capped once they hit the deductible.

Plan N also covers the Part B coinsurance, with two exceptions:

• You may owe a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits.
• You may owe a copayment of up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient hospital admission.

Plan N also does not cover excess charges — the amount a doctor can bill above Medicare's approved rate if the provider does not accept Medicare assignment. Most providers do accept Medicare assignment, but if you see specialists who don't, those excess charges would be your responsibility under Plan N.

In exchange for that added exposure, Plan N typically carries a noticeably lower monthly premium than Plan G. Over a full year, those savings can be substantial for someone who visits the doctor infrequently and sticks to providers who accept Medicare assignment.

How to Decide Which Plan Fits You

Neither plan is universally "better" — the right answer depends on your health situation and financial priorities.

Plan G tends to make sense if you:

• See doctors or specialists regularly
• Want the simplest, most predictable coverage after meeting the Part B deductible
• Live in or travel to areas where a significant share of providers do not accept Medicare assignment

Plan N tends to make sense if you:

• Are generally healthy and see the doctor only a handful of times per year
• Are comfortable with small per-visit copayments in exchange for a lower monthly premium
• Always verify that your providers accept Medicare assignment before scheduling

One useful exercise is to estimate how much you'd spend on Plan N copayments in a typical year and compare that total to the annual premium difference between Plan G and Plan N in your area. Because premiums vary by carrier, your age, your location, and whether you use tobacco, the comparison will look different for each person. An independent Medicare advisor can run those numbers for your specific situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Plan N cover excess charges? A: No. Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges. If you see a provider who does not accept Medicare assignment, that provider can bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount, and you would owe that difference out of pocket. Plan G does cover excess charges, eliminating that exposure entirely.

Q: Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later if my health changes? A: Possibly, but not automatically. Outside of guaranteed-issue windows — such as the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period that begins when you first enroll in Part B at 65 — switching from one Medigap plan to another typically requires medical underwriting. Insurers can review your health history and may decline coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. Timing your initial enrollment carefully is important.

Q: Are Plan G and Plan N premiums the same across all insurance companies? A: No. Because Medigap benefits are standardized by letter, the coverage is identical across carriers — but premiums are set independently by each insurance company and vary based on your age, location, gender, tobacco use, and how the insurer prices its policies over time. Comparing quotes from multiple carriers is always worthwhile.

Have questions about your Medicare options? Lynsey Brennan (FL License #G007269) offers free consultations in FL, TX, AZ, GA, NC, SC, PA, OH, TN, VA. Call (561) 735-1490 or book online.

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.