Plan G and Plan N side by side
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, up to 365 more days after Medicare benefits are used up | 100% | 100% |
| Part A deductible | 100% | 100% |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | 100% | 100%, except copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits without admission |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | 100% | 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment | 100% | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% | 100% |
| Part B deductible | No | No |
| Part B excess charges | 100% | No |
| Foreign travel emergency, up to plan limits | 80% | 80% |
From the benefits chart in Medicare's official guide, Choosing a Medigap Policy (2026). Every Plan G has these benefits and every Plan N has these, whichever company sells it; price is the only difference between companies. Plan G also comes in a high-deductible version in some states ($2,950 in 2026 before it pays), and Medicare SELECT versions may require network hospitals. Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin standardize Medigap differently.
How to choose
- Plan G fits if you want the most predictable costs: with standard Plan G, after the Part B deductible you generally pay nothing more for Medicare-covered care.
- Plan N fits if you see doctors rarely, your doctors accept Medicare's approved amount, and its premium is lower by more than the copays you expect.
- Neither covers prescription drugs, and Medigap generally doesn't cover dental, vision, hearing aids or long-term care. You'd need a separate Part D plan for drugs.
The best time to buy either is your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment, which starts the first month you're 65 or older and have Part B. After it, unless you have a guaranteed issue right or extra rights under your state's law, an insurer can turn you down or charge more because of your health, which can make switching from N to G later hard. See your Medigap window.
About excess charges
Doctors who don't accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment can charge more, in many cases up to 15% above it. Most doctors accept assignment, so many people never see an excess charge, but it's worth asking whether a doctor accepts assignment before you get care.
Prices
We don't list prices or insurers. Premiums depend on your state, age, the company and how it sets prices (community-rated, issue-age-rated or attained-age-rated). Medicare.gov shows which companies sell Medigap in your area; get quotes from more than one, or free help comparing from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). How Plan G is priced.
Questions
What's the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Both cover the same things except two. With Plan N you pay copayments of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't lead to an inpatient admission, and Plan N doesn't cover Part B excess charges. Plan G covers both. Neither covers the Part B deductible.
Is Plan N cheaper than Plan G?
Prices are set by each insurance company and vary by state and by the company's pricing method, so compare real premiums. Plan N saves money only if its premium is lower by more than what you'd pay in copays and excess charges.
What is a Part B excess charge?
If a doctor doesn't accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment, they can charge more, in many cases up to 15% above the approved amount. That extra is the excess charge. Plan G pays it; Plan N doesn't.
Updated November 7, 2026. Sources: Medicare.gov, Choosing a Medigap Policy (official guide); Medicare.gov, Compare Medigap Plan Benefits; Medicare.gov, When can I buy a Medigap policy?; Medicare.gov, Does your provider accept Medicare as full payment?. General information, not insurance advice. We don't sell insurance.