Medigap Plan G and Plan N — Plan G
Two top Medigap plans for new enrollees since 2020. Plan G covers nearly all gaps except the Part B deductible; Plan N has copays for a lower premium.
Official source: medicare.gov
## Why these two plans
Medigap Plan F was the most comprehensive Medigap before 2020, but federal law closed Plan F to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. For new enrollees, **Plan G** is now the top-of-the-line option, and **Plan N** is the most popular lower-premium alternative.
## What Plan G covers
- Part A hospital coinsurance and 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits end. - Part B coinsurance (the 20% Original Medicare does not pay). - First three pints of blood. - Part A hospice care coinsurance. - Skilled nursing facility coinsurance. - Part A deductible. - Part B excess charges (when a doctor bills more than Medicare's approved amount). - 80% of foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits).
What Plan G does **not** cover: the **Part B annual deductible** ($283 in 2026). You pay that once a year before Medigap kicks in.
## What Plan N covers
Plan N covers the same as Plan G, except:
- You pay up to a **$20 copay** for most office visits. - You pay up to a **$50 copay** for ER visits that do not lead to inpatient admission. - Plan N does **not** cover Part B excess charges.
In exchange, Plan N premiums are usually meaningfully lower than Plan G.
## High-deductible options
Both Plan G and the now-closed Plan F have high-deductible (HD) versions. HD-G keeps the Plan G benefit structure but only kicks in after you pay an annual deductible (set by CMS each year). HD-G can dramatically lower the monthly premium for low-utilization beneficiaries.
## When to buy
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the **6 months after you first enroll in Part B at age 65 or older**. During this window:
- You have guaranteed issue rights. - Insurers cannot deny you or charge more for pre-existing conditions.
Outside this window, in most states, insurers can medically underwrite — and may decline coverage entirely.
## How to shop
- Medigap benefits are standardized by federal law — Plan G from one insurer covers the same things as Plan G from another insurer. - Premiums vary widely. Always compare quotes from multiple companies in your ZIP code. - Pair Medigap with a stand-alone Part D drug plan, since Medigap does not include drug coverage.
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Frequently asked questions about Medigap Plan G and Plan N
Why is Plan F no longer available?+
The MACRA law closed Plan F (and high-deductible Plan F) to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. People eligible before that date can still buy Plan F.
Is Plan G better than Plan N?+
It depends. Plan G has higher premiums but fewer out-of-pocket costs. Plan N has lower premiums but small copays for office and ER visits. Compare based on expected visits and budget.
Does Medigap cover prescription drugs?+
No. Medigap does not include Part D drug coverage. You need a separate stand-alone Part D plan.
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later?+
Yes, but you may need to pass medical underwriting depending on your state. Some states (like New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts) have stronger Medigap switching protections.
What is the Part B deductible Plan G does not cover?+
$283 per year in 2026. You pay it once a year for Part B services before Medigap pays its share.
Source: medicare.gov