Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in 2026, and it's not close. According to AHIP's Medigap enrollment data, Plan G has been the #1 choice for new Medigap enrollees since Plan F closed to new beneficiaries in 2020. Plan N is the second most popular, and High-Deductible Plan G is growing fastest among cost-conscious enrollees.
But "most popular" doesn't mean "best for you." The right plan depends on how often you use healthcare, your risk tolerance, and whether you'd rather pay more monthly for zero surprises or less monthly with small copays when you see a doctor. This guide breaks down all three plans with real cost comparisons.
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?
Plan G covers everything that Original Medicare doesn't, except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). After you pay that $283 once per year, you owe nothing else for Medicare-covered services, anywhere in the country. See the official Medigap plan comparison on Medicare.gov.
Specifically, Plan G covers:
- Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period)
- Part A coinsurance for hospital days 61 to 90 ($434/day) and 91+ ($868/day)
- Part B coinsurance (the 20% you'd otherwise owe on all outpatient services)
- Part B excess charges (when doctors charge above the Medicare-approved amount)
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21 to 100 at $217/day)
- First three pints of blood
- 80% of foreign travel emergency costs
Monthly premiums: $100 to $300/month depending on age, gender, location, and tobacco use. For a 65-year-old non-smoker, expect $120 to $180/month in most states. Nebraska tends to be on the lower end at $120 to $160.
Total annual out-of-pocket with Plan G: Premium + $283 Part B deductible + Part D premium. That's it. No copays, no coinsurance, no surprise bills, regardless of how much healthcare you use.
Best for: People who want maximum predictability and comprehensive protection. If you have complex health needs, see multiple specialists, or simply want peace of mind, Plan G delivers the lowest total cost in a high-use year.
What Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover?
Plan N covers nearly everything Plan G covers, with two differences:
- Up to $20 copay for some office visits (not all, preventive visits are $0)
- Up to $50 copay for emergency room visits that don't result in inpatient admission
- Part B excess charges are not covered (though these are rare, the CMS reports fewer than 1% of Medicare providers charge excess amounts)
Monthly premiums: $70 to $200/month, typically $30 to $60 less than Plan G. For a 65-year-old in Nebraska, expect $85 to $130/month.
The math: If Plan N saves you $40/month ($480/year) and you see a doctor 8 times per year at $20/copay ($160/year), your net savings is $320/year compared to Plan G. If you rarely visit doctors, the savings are even larger.
Best for: Healthy, active people who don't see doctors frequently. If you go to the doctor 4 to 6 times per year or less, Plan N typically costs less overall than Plan G while still providing excellent coverage.
What Is High-Deductible Plan G and Who Should Consider It?
High-Deductible Plan G has the same coverage as regular Plan G, but with one key difference: you must pay a $2,870 annual deductible (2026) before the plan starts paying. After the deductible is met, coverage is identical to standard Plan G.
Monthly premiums: $25 to $60/month, the lowest Medigap premium available. In Nebraska, expect $30 to $50/month for a 65-year-old.
The math: In a healthy year with minimal healthcare use, you pay roughly $360 to $720 in premiums and little or nothing toward the deductible. In a bad year, your maximum cost is $2,870 (deductible) + $360 to $720 (premiums) = about $3,230 to $3,590.
Compare that to Plan G: $1,440 to $2,160 (premiums) + $283 (Part B deductible) = $1,723 to $2,443. So Plan G costs less in a bad health year but more in a good year.
Best for: Very healthy people who rarely use healthcare and want catastrophic protection at the lowest possible premium. Also popular with people who have significant savings and are comfortable self-insuring the $2,870 deductible.
How Do the Three Most Popular Plans Compare Side by Side?
| Factor | Plan G | Plan N | HD Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium (age 65, NE) | $130 to $170 | $90 to $130 | $30 to $50 |
| Annual premium cost | $1,560 to $2,040 | $1,080 to $1,560 | $360 to $600 |
| Doctor visit copay | $0 | Up to $20 | $0 (after deductible) |
| ER copay (non-admit) | $0 | Up to $50 | $0 (after deductible) |
| Annual deductible | $283 (Part B only) | $283 (Part B only) | $2,870 |
| Worst-case annual cost | ~$2,300 | ~$2,100 | ~$3,470 |
| Best-case annual cost | ~$1,840 | ~$1,360 | ~$640 |
*Estimates based on 2026 Nebraska rates for a 65-year-old non-smoking female. Actual costs vary by carrier, zip code, age, and gender.
What About Plan F, Can You Still Get It?
Plan F was the "Cadillac" of Medigap plans, it covered everything, including the Part B deductible. However, Plan F closed to new enrollees on January 1, 2020. If you already have Plan F, you can keep it, but you can't sign up for it now.
If you're currently on Plan F, consider this: because no new enrollees are entering the Plan F pool, the average age of Plan F enrollees increases every year. This typically leads to faster premium increases compared to Plan G. Many Plan F holders are switching to Plan G to save money, the only difference is the $283 Part B deductible, which is usually far less than the premium savings from switching.
How Do You Choose the Right Carrier?
Since all Medigap plans are standardized (Plan G from any carrier covers the same benefits), the differences between carriers come down to:
- Premium pricing: Can vary $40 to $80/month between carriers for the same plan in the same zip code
- Rate increase history: Some carriers raise rates 3 to 5% annually; others spike 8 to 12% in a single year. This compounds dramatically over 10 to 20 years.
- Pricing methodology: "Attained-age" (rates increase as you age, most common), "issue-age" (rate locked at enrollment age), or "community-rated" (same rate regardless of age)
- Financial strength: A.M. Best ratings indicate the carrier's ability to pay claims long-term
- Household and payment discounts: Some carriers offer 5 to 15% discounts for couples, auto-pay, or non-smokers
According to the Nebraska Department of Insurance, consumers can request rate increase history from any carrier. This is one of the most important data points when choosing, and it's something most people don't check.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Supplement Plans
Can I switch between Supplement plans after enrollment?
Yes, but outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you'll need to pass medical underwriting. If your health has declined, you could be denied or charged more. Some states (like Iowa) offer guaranteed-issue switching rights, but Nebraska does not have a birthday rule.
Do I need a Part D plan with a Medicare Supplement?
Yes. Medigap plans never include prescription drug coverage. You must enroll in a standalone Part D prescription drug plan separately. The new $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap on Part D makes this more affordable than ever.
Is Plan G worth the higher premium over Plan N?
It depends on usage. If you see doctors frequently (10+ visits/year), Plan G's premium difference is offset by avoiding $20 copays. If you're healthy and see doctors infrequently, Plan N's lower premium typically wins.
Why is Plan G more popular than Plan N if N is cheaper?
Peace of mind. Many people turning 65 prefer knowing exactly what their healthcare will cost each month with zero copays. The premium difference ($30 to $60/month) is worth it to them for the simplicity and predictability.