If you’re enrolling in Original Medicare, you’ll quickly discover that there are a lot of Medigap plans. The good news: for most new enrollees, the real choice comes down to three options — Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G. Understanding how they compare on coverage and cost makes the decision much clearer.
What Medigap does (and doesn’t) cover
Medigap — also called Medicare Supplement Insurance — fills the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare: the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, and copays. It does not add new categories of coverage. Dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care are outside Medicare entirely; Medigap doesn’t touch them.
Medigap plans are standardized by letter. Every Plan G from every insurer covers exactly the same benefits — only the premium differs. For people who turned 65 before January 1, 2020, Plan F (which also covers the Part B deductible) was available; it’s no longer available to new Medicare enrollees.
Plan G
What it covers
- Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
- Part A coinsurance for hospital days 61–150
- Part A coinsurance for skilled nursing facility days 21–100
- Part B coinsurance (20% of Medicare-approved costs)
- Part B excess charges (what providers who don’t accept assignment can charge above Medicare rates)
- Foreign travel emergency coverage (80% up to plan lifetime limit, after $250 deductible)
- Hospice care coinsurance
- Blood (first 3 pints)
The one thing Plan G does not cover: the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). You pay that once per year, then Plan G covers virtually everything else.
Who it’s best for
Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new enrollees. It’s the best fit for people who:
- Want maximum predictability — after the annual Part B deductible, out-of-pocket medical costs are essentially zero for covered services
- Have ongoing health conditions that generate frequent Medicare claims
- Value the ability to see any Medicare-accepting provider nationally without referrals or network restrictions
- Travel frequently within the U.S. (no network issues) or internationally (foreign travel emergency benefit)
Plan N
What it covers
Plan N covers most of the same things as Plan G, with two differences:
- No coverage for Part B excess charges — if a provider doesn’t accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% above Medicare rates; you pay that difference with Plan N
- Copays for some office and emergency visits — up to $20 copay for office visits, up to $50 copay for emergency room visits (waived if you’re admitted)
Plan N also does not cover the Part B deductible (same as Plan G).
Who it’s best for
Plan N typically costs $30–$60/month less than Plan G in most markets. That savings can offset the copays and excess charge risk for people who:
- Are relatively healthy and don’t visit doctors frequently
- Live in an area where most providers accept Medicare assignment (excess charges are rare in most of the country)
- Are comfortable with small, predictable copays in exchange for a lower monthly premium
Check whether Part B excess charges are common in your area. In states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, providers are prohibited from charging excess charges — making Plan N effectively equivalent to Plan G for that specific risk.
High-Deductible Plan G
What it covers
High-Deductible Plan G covers exactly the same services as regular Plan G — after you meet the annual deductible. In 2026, that deductible is $2,950. Once you’ve paid $2,950 in Medicare cost-sharing (including the Part B deductible, copays, and coinsurance), the plan pays 100% for the rest of the year.
Who it’s best for
High-Deductible Plan G has the lowest monthly premium of the three — often $25–$60/month depending on age and location. The tradeoff is absorbing up to $2,950 in out-of-pocket costs in any given year. It works best for:
- People who are healthy and rarely need significant medical care
- People who want catastrophic protection against a major health event but are comfortable carrying more day-to-day risk
- People who are disciplined about keeping the premium savings in reserve as a health expense fund
🆓 Not sure which Medigap plan makes sense for your situation?
Our partner Chapter Medicare offers free guidance from licensed advisors who can compare Medigap premiums in your area and help you think through the tradeoffs for your health and budget.
📞 Call 615-639-1937 | 🔗 askchapter.org/money
Help is ALWAYS FREE. Chapter is compensated by insurance carriers, not by you.
Side-by-side comparison
Here’s how the three plans compare on the key dimensions:
- Coverage breadth: Plan G = most comprehensive. Plan N = slightly less (copays + excess charge exposure). HD Plan G = same as G but you absorb first $2,950.
- Monthly premium: Plan G = highest. Plan N = middle. HD Plan G = lowest.
- Annual maximum out-of-pocket risk: Plan G = ~$283 (Part B deductible only). Plan N = $283 + copays + potential excess charges. HD Plan G = $2,950.
- Best for healthy people: HD Plan G (lowest ongoing cost). Plan N (moderate savings with modest risk).
- Best for frequent or complex care: Plan G (most predictable, most comprehensive).
The enrollment window matters
The most important thing to know about Medigap: you have a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starting when you first enroll in Part B at 65. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions. After this window closes, insurers in most states can use medical underwriting — meaning a chronic condition could make a Medigap plan unaffordable or unavailable.
This is why the plan choice at 65 matters more than it might seem. Many people start with Medicare Advantage for the lower premiums, then want to switch to Medigap later when health needs increase — only to find they no longer qualify at standard rates. Choosing Medigap during the initial enrollment window, when you’re younger and healthier, locks in your eligibility.
Premiums vary by insurer
Since all Plan G policies from all insurers cover identical benefits, the only differences are the premium, the insurer’s financial stability, and rate increase history. Compare at least 3–4 insurers for your age and ZIP code. Some insurers use community rating (everyone pays the same regardless of age) or issue-age rating (rates set when you first enroll, then increase only with inflation); attained-age rating (rates increase as you get older) is the most common but can result in higher costs over time.
Bottom line
For most new Medicare enrollees choosing Medigap, the decision is really between Plan G (maximum coverage, highest premium), Plan N (moderate savings with small copays and excess charge exposure), and High-Deductible Plan G (lowest premium, absorb first $2,950/year). The right choice depends on your health, how much medical care you typically use, whether excess charges are common in your area, and how much premium savings matters to your budget.
Whatever you choose, do it during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. That window is the only time you’re guaranteed standard rates regardless of health.
🆓 Ready to compare Medigap plans in your area?
Our partner Chapter Medicare can pull quotes from multiple insurers and help you compare Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Plan G for your specific age and ZIP code — completely free.
📞 Call 615-639-1937 | 🔗 askchapter.org/money
ALWAYS FREE. No obligation.
Disclosure: We may receive a referral from Chapter if you choose to use their service. Chapter is a licensed health insurance agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency.
Further Reading
- Medigap / Medicare Supplement Insurance Explained
- Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare
- How to Choose a Medicare Plan
- Medicare Part B Late Enrollment Penalty
- Medicare Costs and Premiums
- Medicare Open Enrollment Guide
This article is for general educational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or financial advice. Visit medicare.gov or contact 1-800-MEDICARE, or consult a licensed advisor for guidance specific to your situation.
