Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular standardized Medicare Supplement plans. Plan G covers everything Medigap can cover except the annual Part B deductible. Plan N covers the same things Plan G covers, with two structural differences: Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges, and Plan N has small copays for some office visits and for emergency room visits that do not result in inpatient admission. The trade-off is a usually-lower Plan N premium in exchange for those copays and the excess-charge exposure.
Last updated: June 2026.
Key takeaways
- Plan G and Plan N are federally standardized, so the benefits are identical from carrier to carrier; only price, service, and rate history differ.
- Plan G covers everything Medigap can cover except the annual Part B deductible.
- Plan N covers the same as Plan G, with two exceptions: it does not cover Part B excess charges, and it has small copays for some office visits and non-admission ER visits.
- Plan N usually has a lower monthly premium than Plan G in exchange for those copays and the excess-charge exposure.
- Neither plan includes Part D prescription drug coverage; you add a stand-alone Part D plan with either.
Plan G vs Plan N at a glance
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Usually higher than Plan N | Usually lower than Plan G |
| Part A deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible | Not covered for people newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020 | Not covered for people newly eligible on or after January 1, 2020 |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered in full | Covered, but with copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not lead to admission |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered to plan limits | Covered to plan limits |
| Best fit | People who want the most predictable costs and no copays | People who want a lower premium and do not mind small copays, and whose providers accept Medicare assignment |
Why "Plan G" and "Plan N" Mean the Same Thing Everywhere
Medigap plans are federally standardized. That means Plan G from one insurance company covers the same benefits as Plan G from another insurance company, and the same is true for Plan N. Carriers compete on price, rate-increase history, customer service, and financial strength. They do not compete on what is or is not covered. That is why the comparison below is the same regardless of which carriers you are looking at.
This page focuses on Plan G and Plan N because they are the two plans most newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries choose between. For context on how these compare to other supplements, including High-Deductible Plan G, see the most popular Medicare Supplement plans.
What Plan G Covers
Plan G covers everything Medigap is permitted to cover, except the annual Part B deductible. In structural terms, that means after you pay the Part B deductible once per year, Plan G generally covers your remaining Medicare cost-sharing for the rest of the year. Specifically, Plan G covers:
- The Part A hospital deductible and Part A inpatient coinsurance, plus 365 additional lifetime hospital days after Medicare benefits are used up.
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
- The Part B coinsurance (the share of outpatient and physician services that Original Medicare does not pay).
- The first three pints of blood.
- Hospice care coinsurance and copays.
- Part B excess charges.
- Foreign travel emergency care, up to plan limits.
Plan G does not cover the annual Part B deductible. You pay that yourself once per calendar year. We do not state the current-year Part B deductible dollar amount here because it changes every year. For the current figure, see Medicare.gov.
What Plan N Covers
Plan N covers all of the same things as Plan G, with two structural exceptions:
- Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. If you see a provider who does not accept Medicare assignment, they can bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount, and Plan N will not pay that excess.
- Plan N has small copays: a copay (up to a federally set maximum) for some office visits, and a copay for emergency room visits that do not result in inpatient admission. If the ER visit results in an inpatient stay, the ER copay does not apply.
Like Plan G, Plan N does not cover the annual Part B deductible. You pay that once per calendar year.
The Two Differences That Drive the Decision
1. Part B Excess Charges
A provider who does not accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. With Plan G, that excess is covered. With Plan N, it is on you. In some states and many metro areas, excess charges are uncommon because most providers accept assignment. In other areas they are more common. If you regularly see specialists who do not accept assignment, Plan G removes that exposure.
2. Office and ER Copays
With Plan G, your routine cost-sharing for covered services after the Part B deductible is essentially zero. With Plan N, you pay a small copay for some office visits and a copay for non-admission ER visits. For people who go to the doctor often, those copays can add up over the year. For people who use care lightly, they may never come into play.
Cost: Why We Do Not List Specific Premiums
Medigap premiums are set by the carrier and vary by area, age, sex, tobacco use, and the carrier's rating method (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated). Premiums also change each year. Because of that, we do not state specific dollar amounts on this page. In general, Plan N premiums are lower than Plan G premiums for the same person in the same area, in exchange for the copays and excess-charge exposure described above. For a current quote in your area, contact a licensed agent.
Who Tends to Choose Plan G
- People who want the most predictable possible costs, with essentially no surprise cost-sharing after the Part B deductible.
- People who do not want to think about office or ER copays each time they use care.
- People who want explicit protection from Part B excess charges.
- People who use care frequently or expect to.
Who Tends to Choose Plan N
- People who use care more lightly and are comfortable with small copays at the doctor and at the ER for non-admission visits.
- People in areas where Part B excess charges are uncommon.
- People who want a lower monthly premium and are willing to accept the trade-offs above.
What Both Plans Do Not Do
Neither Plan G nor Plan N includes Part D prescription drug coverage. With either plan, you enroll separately in a stand-alone Part D drug plan. Medigap plans also do not cover routine dental, vision, hearing, hearing aids, long-term custodial care, and most care outside the United States beyond limited foreign travel emergency coverage. For a fuller list, see what Medicare does not cover.
When to Choose, and Why Timing Matters
The cleanest moment to enroll in either Plan G or Plan N is during your one-time six-month Medigap open enrollment window, which starts the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During that window Medigap carriers in your state must accept you and cannot use your health to raise your rate. Outside of that window, except in specific guaranteed-issue situations, switching from one Medigap plan to another or first enrolling in Medigap typically involves health questions and possible decline or higher rates. See Medicare enrollment periods explained for the full timing rules. For the broader Medigap vs Medicare Advantage decision, see Medicare Advantage vs Medicare Supplement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers everything Medigap can cover except the annual Part B deductible. Plan N covers the same as Plan G except it does not cover Part B excess charges, and it has small copays for some office visits and emergency room visits that do not result in inpatient admission.
Are Medigap plans the same from every company?
Yes. Medigap plans are federally standardized, so the benefits of a given lettered plan do not change from carrier to carrier. The price, the company, and the rate-increase history differ.
What are Part B excess charges?
Part B excess charges happen when a provider does not accept Medicare assignment and bills up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers excess charges. Plan N does not.
How big are the Plan N office and ER copays?
Plan N has a small copay (up to a federally set maximum) for some office visits and a small copay for emergency room visits that do not result in inpatient admission. The copay does not apply when the ER visit leads to an inpatient stay.
Do Plan G and Plan N include prescription drug coverage?
No. Medigap plans of any letter never include Part D prescription drug coverage. With either Plan G or Plan N, you also enroll in a separate stand-alone Part D drug plan.
Who tends to pick Plan G?
People who want the most predictable costs, do not want to think about office or ER copays, and want protection from Part B excess charges.
Who tends to pick Plan N?
People who are comfortable with small copays for office and non-admission ER visits, who live in areas where excess charges are uncommon, and who want a lower monthly premium.
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N (or the other way) later?
You can apply to switch at any time, but outside of guaranteed-issue situations, the new carrier in most states can ask health questions, which may affect whether you are accepted and at what rate.
References
We are not connected with or endorsed by the federal government or the Medicare program.
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.
Want help comparing Plan G and Plan N rates from multiple carriers in your area? I am a licensed independent agent based in Omaha. I can run the numbers and walk you through the trade-offs. Free consultation, no pressure.
Book a free Medicare consultation with Nick Depke or call (402) 680-6171.
Written by Nick Depke, licensed independent insurance agent (NPN 19158595), Depke Insurance Agency, 17310 Wright St Ste 100, Omaha, NE 68130.