Medigap Plan G and Plan N are both popular choices for Medicare supplement coverage, but they have important differences in what you pay at the doctor’s office. Plan G costs more each month but has no copays. Plan N costs less monthly but charges $20 per doctor visit and $50 per ER visit.
Plan G vs Plan N: Coverage Comparison
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medicare Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment | ✓ | ✓ (with copay) |
| Medicare Part B excess charges | ✓ | ✗ |
| Medicare Part B deductible ($257 in 2026) | ✗ (you pay) | ✗ (you pay) |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Doctor visit copay | None | Up to $20 |
| Emergency room copay (if not admitted) | None | Up to $50 |
Premium Savings: Plan N vs Plan G
Average monthly premiums for a 65-year-old non-smoking female (approximate 2026 ranges):
| State | Plan G (avg/mo) | Plan N (avg/mo) | Monthly savings with N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $150 | $115 | $35 |
| Texas | $140 | $108 | $32 |
| California | $165 | $125 | $40 |
| New York | $235 | $175 | $60 |
| National average | $155 | $120 | $35 |
Annual premium savings with Plan N: ~$35–$60/month × 12 = $420–$720/year.
Break-Even Analysis: Which Plan Costs Less?
Whether Plan N saves money depends on your healthcare use.
Example: 65-Year-Old with Moderate Healthcare Use
Scenario: 8 doctor visits and 1 ER visit per year (not admitted)
| Cost Category | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | $1,860 | $1,440 |
| Part B deductible (both plans) | $257 | $257 |
| Doctor copays (8 × $20) | $0 | $160 |
| ER copay (1 × $50) | $0 | $50 |
| Total annual cost | $2,117 | $1,907 |
| Savings | — | $210/year |
Scenario: 20 doctor visits and 2 ER visits per year
| Cost Category | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Annual premium | $1,860 | $1,440 |
| Part B deductible | $257 | $257 |
| Doctor copays (20 × $20) | $0 | $400 |
| ER copays (2 × $50) | $0 | $100 |
| Total annual cost | $2,117 | $2,197 |
| Savings | Plan G saves $80 | — |
Break-even point: If you visit the doctor more than ~17 times per year (given a $35/month premium difference and $20 copays), Plan G is cheaper.
The Part B Excess Charge Risk
Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges. Providers who don’t accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% more than Medicare’s approved rate.
Example: Medicare approves $200 for a specialist visit. A non-accepting provider charges $230. Plan N pays $200; you pay the $30 excess charge.
How to manage this risk:
- Only see providers who accept Medicare assignment (about 96% of US doctors do)
- Use Medicare’s Physician Compare tool to confirm assignment status before appointments
- Opt for Plan G if you live in an area with fewer Medicare-accepting providers
Who Should Choose Each Plan
Plan G is better if:
- You visit the doctor frequently (10+ times per year)
- You see specialists who may not accept Medicare assignment
- You want predictable, fixed costs with no per-visit charges
- You prioritize peace of mind over premium savings
Plan N is better if:
- You are relatively healthy with fewer than 10 doctor visits per year
- You exclusively see providers who accept Medicare assignment
- Premium savings of $400–$700/year matter to your budget
- You can manage occasional copays without financial stress
State-Specific Considerations
A few states offer additional consumer protections for Medigap plans:
| State | Key Difference |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Uses different plan names (Core, Supplement 1, Supplement 1A) |
| Minnesota | Uses Medigap Basic and Extended Basic plans |
| Wisconsin | Uses Basic plan with optional riders |
| Connecticut, New York | Allow guaranteed issue switching between plans |
| California | Birthday Rule — annual 60-day window to switch without underwriting |
For the Plan F vs. Plan G comparison, see Medigap Plan F vs. G. For the overall Medigap cost analysis, see Medigap cost. For the health insurance hub, see health insurance hub.
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