2026 Comparison · NPN #22255420
Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
These are the two most popular Medicare Supplement plans, and the choice between them comes down to a straightforward trade: Plan N costs less every month, Plan G costs less when you actually use care. Here's exactly where they differ — and the rule of thumb that decides it.
Reviewed by Philip Smith, Licensed Insurance AgentNPN #22255420FL Lic. #G349232Updated July 2026
Quick Answer
Should you choose Medigap Plan G or Plan N?
Plan G costs more each month but covers everything Medicare approves after you pay the $283 Part B deductible, including excess charges. Plan N runs about $20–$50 less per month but adds copays of up to $20 per office visit and $50 per ER visit, and doesn't cover excess charges. Frequent users of care generally do better with G; healthy, low-utilization years favor N.
Plan G vs. Plan N, Side by Side
2026 figures. Premiums shown are national averages — your actual rate depends on carrier, ZIP code, age, and tobacco use.
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Average premium at 65 | ~$220/mo | ~$171/mo |
| Premium gap by age 75 | — | ~$58/mo less than G |
| Part B deductible (2026) | You pay $283 | You pay $283 |
| After the deductible | Covers 100% of Medicare-approved costs | Covers costs except copays |
| Office visit copay | None | Up to $20 |
| Emergency room copay | None | Up to $50 |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Part A hospital deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Provider access | Any provider accepting Medicare | Any provider accepting Medicare |
| Best for | Frequent care, predictable costs | Healthy years, lower monthly cost |
How to Decide
Choose Plan G if you want certainty
After you pay the annual Part B deductible, Plan G covers essentially everything Medicare approves — no copays, no excess charges, no surprises. If you see doctors often or simply want one predictable bill, the extra premium buys real peace of mind.
Choose Plan N if you want a lower premium
Plan N runs roughly $20–$50 less per month. In exchange you pay small copays — up to $20 for an office visit, up to $50 for an emergency room visit — and Plan N doesn't cover Part B excess charges. For a healthy, low-utilization year, the savings usually win.
The tiebreaker is excess charges
Some providers can bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G absorbs that; Plan N leaves it to you. A handful of states ban excess charges outright, so whether this matters depends on where you live and which providers you use.
Do the arithmetic on your own year
The comparison is simpler than it looks. Take the annual premium difference — around $588 a year at 65 using national averages — and ask how many office visits it would take for Plan N's copays to erase that gap. At up to $20 a visit, that's a great many appointments.
That math favors Plan N for most healthy people. It flips when you add frequent specialist care, an ER visit or two, or providers who bill excess charges — because those costs land entirely on you with Plan N and not at all with Plan G.
- Both plans let you use any provider that accepts Medicare
- Benefits are standardized — Plan G is Plan G at every carrier
- Neither includes drug coverage; you add a Part D plan
- Price differences between carriers can exceed the G-vs-N gap
Because benefits are standardized, price is the variable
Plan G from one carrier covers exactly the same things as Plan G from another — the benefits are set by federal standardization, not by the insurer. What differs is price, rate-increase history, and service. Paying more for identical coverage is the most common and most avoidable Medigap mistake. Philip compares what carriers actually charge in your ZIP code, at no cost to you.
Plan G vs Plan N FAQs
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Two differences matter. First, cost sharing: after you pay the annual Part B deductible, Plan G covers 100% of Medicare-approved costs, while Plan N charges copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. Second, excess charges: Plan G covers Part B excess charges (when a provider bills above the Medicare-approved amount), and Plan N does not. Everything else about the two plans is largely the same, because Medigap benefits are standardized by letter.
How much do Plan G and Plan N cost in 2026?
Nationally, Plan G averages about $220 per month at age 65 and Plan N about $171 — roughly a $49 monthly difference, which widens to about $58 by age 75. These are national averages, not quotes. Medigap pricing varies substantially by carrier, ZIP code, age, tobacco use, and the rating method the insurer uses, so two people in different counties can see very different numbers for identical coverage.
Do I still pay the Part B deductible with Plan G or Plan N?
Yes, with both. Under federal law, Medigap plans sold to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 cannot cover the Part B deductible — which is $283 in 2026. You pay that amount out of pocket once per year under either plan. After that, Plan G takes over completely, while Plan N still applies its office and emergency room copays.
Is Plan G or Plan N better?
Neither is better in the abstract; it depends on how much care you use and whether your providers bill excess charges. Someone with frequent specialist visits, ongoing treatment, or a strong preference for predictable costs generally gets more value from Plan G. Someone healthy who sees a doctor a couple of times a year usually comes out ahead with Plan N's lower premium, since the copays are small and infrequent. The right way to decide is to compare the annual premium difference against your realistic number of visits.
What happened to Medigap Plan F?
Plan F, along with Plan C, was closed to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, because those plans covered the Part B deductible. If you were already eligible before that date, you can generally still buy or keep Plan F. For everyone newly eligible, Plan G is the closest equivalent — it offers the same comprehensive coverage except for that annual Part B deductible.
Still not sure which plan to choose?
Philip compares specific PPO, HMO, and EPO plans from 22+ carriers based on your doctors, budget, and ZIP code — in one free call.
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We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent organizations which offer products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options. Philip Smith is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. Government or the federal Medicare program. FL Lic. #G349232 · NPN #22255420