If you have Original Medicare and are shopping for a supplement policy, you will almost certainly end up comparing Medigap Plan G and Plan N. They are the two most popular choices for people who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020, and they cover a lot of the same ground. The difference comes down to how much predictability you want versus how much you are willing to pay each month. This guide breaks down exactly what each plan covers, what it costs in 2026, and how to figure out which one is right for you.
What Is Medigap and Why Does It Matter?
Original Medicare (Part A + Part B) does not cover everything. It leaves you with deductibles, coinsurance, and no out-of-pocket maximum. A Medigap policy is private insurance that wraps around Original Medicare and fills in those gaps.
All Medigap plans are standardized by federal law, which means a Plan G from one insurer covers the same benefits as a Plan G from a different insurer. The only variable is the monthly premium. That standardization makes side-by-side comparison straightforward.
According to medicare.gov, you must have both Medicare Part A and Part B to buy any Medigap plan, and the policy only covers one person. Your spouse would need a separate policy.
Plan G vs Plan N: Side-by-Side Coverage Comparison (2026)
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|
| Medicare Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Medicare Part A coinsurance (hospital days 61-90) | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Medicare Part A coinsurance (lifetime reserve days) | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | NOT covered | NOT covered |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance (20%) | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Part B excess charges | Covered 100% | NOT covered |
| Office visit copay (up to $20) | None | Up to $20 per visit |
| Emergency room copay (up to $50, non-admission) | None | Up to $50 per visit |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Covered 100% | Covered 100% |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%) | Covered | Covered |
Source: CMS.gov
Both plans leave you responsible for the 2026 Medicare Part B annual deductible of $283. After that single annual payment, the plans diverge.
The Three Key Differences
1. Part B Excess Charges
This is the most meaningful structural difference between the two plans.
When a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, they can legally charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. That extra charge is called a "Part B excess charge." Plan G covers it in full. Plan N does not cover it at all, so that 15% overage comes straight out of your pocket.
In most parts of the country, the majority of doctors accept Medicare assignment, which means excess charges are rare. But if you live in an area with many non-participating doctors, or if you want to see specialists who balance-bill, Plan G gives you a hard guarantee that excess charges will never be your problem.
You can check whether a specific doctor accepts Medicare assignment using the medicare.gov provider directory.
2. Office Visit and ER Copays
Plan N requires a copay of up to $20 for most covered doctor office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in a hospital admission. Plan G has no copays.
These copays seem small individually. The math matters when you tally your annual visit count. If you see a doctor six times a year, you would pay up to $120 in copays. If you make two ER visits that do not result in admission, add $100. That is $220 in copays on a moderate-use year.
3. Monthly Premium Gap
Plan N premiums typically run $40 to $80 less per month than Plan G at the same age and location. Over twelve months, that is $480 to $960 in premium savings.
At the national average, a 65-year-old enrolling in Plan G pays roughly $220 per month, while Plan N runs roughly $171 per month. These figures vary significantly by state, insurer, and whether you qualify for preferred health rates.
Who Should Choose Plan G?
Plan G is the better fit if:
- You see specialists frequently or use doctors who may not accept Medicare assignment
- You want zero surprises. After paying the $283 annual Part B deductible, Plan G covers everything Medicare approves with no copays and no excess charge exposure.
- You travel internationally and want the foreign travel emergency benefit plus domestic excess charge protection
- You are over 70 or have chronic conditions that generate frequent doctor visits, where copay savings would be quickly erased
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan among new enrollees in 2026. If predictability is worth more to you than a lower monthly bill, Plan G is the right answer.
Who Should Choose Plan N?
Plan N is the better fit if:
- You are relatively healthy, in your mid-60s, and see the doctor four to six times per year
- Your primary care doctor and specialists all accept Medicare assignment (you can verify this before enrolling)
- You want lower monthly premiums and are comfortable with the possibility of a $20 office copay
- You do not visit the ER often or at all
The breakeven analysis is straightforward. If your annual copay exposure (office visits plus ER visits) plus any excess charges stays below your annual premium savings, Plan N wins financially. For a healthy 65-year-old who sees their doctor four times a year and never goes to the ER, Plan N saves several hundred dollars annually.
2026 Cost Comparison: Plan G vs Plan N by Age
Monthly premium estimates below are national averages for non-tobacco users. Your actual quote will vary by zip code, insurer, and health status at time of application.
| Age at Enrollment | Plan G Avg. Monthly Premium | Plan N Avg. Monthly Premium | Estimated Monthly Savings with Plan N |
|---|
| 65 | $220 | $171 | $49 |
| 67 | $235 | $183 | $52 |
| 70 | $260 | $202 | $58 |
| 73 | $290 | $225 | $65 |
| 75 | $315 | $245 | $70 |
Note: Premiums increase with age and adjust annually. Always get a personalized quote from a licensed agent before enrolling.
The High-Deductible Plan G Option
There is a third option worth knowing about: High-Deductible Medigap Plan G. It offers the same coverage as standard Plan G but requires you to pay the first $2,950 in Medicare-covered costs yourself in 2026 before the plan pays anything. In exchange, monthly premiums drop to roughly $50 to $80 per month.
This version suits people who want catastrophic protection without paying standard Plan G premiums. It functions more like a high-deductible health plan than traditional Medigap. If you go a full year without a major health event, you keep the premium savings. If you have a serious hospitalization, you pay up to $2,950 before coverage kicks in.
How to Enroll in Medigap Plan G or Plan N
Enrollment Window
The best time to enroll in any Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP). This is a six-month window that begins on the first day of the month in which you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers must sell you any plan they offer regardless of your health history. No medical underwriting. No premium surcharges for pre-existing conditions.
After the six-month window closes, insurers can deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health. There are limited Special Enrollment Period protections in some states, but they are narrow.
Application Steps
- Confirm your Medicare Part A and Part B enrollment. You must have both active before you can buy Medigap. Check your status at medicare.gov.
- Decide between Plan G and Plan N using the comparison above and your expected visit frequency.
- Get quotes from multiple insurers. Benefits are identical across insurers by law. Only the premium differs. Compare at least three quotes.
- Check if doctors you use accept Medicare assignment at medicare.gov/care-compare before committing to Plan N.
- Submit your application directly with the insurer or through a licensed Medicare agent. If you are in your OEP, the insurer cannot deny you.
- Confirm your effective date. Coverage typically starts the first day of the following month.
Documents Needed
- Medicare card (showing Part A and Part B effective dates)
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Current insurance information if you are switching from another plan
- Payment method for first premium
Common Reasons Applications Get Denied
- Applying after your six-month Open Enrollment Period without a qualifying Special Enrollment Period
- Not having active Medicare Part B at the time of application
- Applying for Plan F or Plan C if you became Medicare-eligible after January 1, 2020 (those plans are no longer available to you)
- Health conditions disclosed during underwriting if you are outside your OEP (in states that allow medical underwriting)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plan is more popular in 2026, Plan G or Plan N?
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan among new enrollees as of 2026. Plan N is the second most popular. Plan G's comprehensive coverage and no-copay structure appeals to people who want total predictability. Plan N attracts healthier, more budget-conscious enrollees.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
Possibly, but not guaranteed. Switching between Medigap plans after your Open Enrollment Period is subject to medical underwriting in most states. Insurers can review your health history and charge higher premiums or deny the application entirely. If you are in your OEP, you can choose either plan freely. A handful of states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New York) have guaranteed issue protections year-round.
Does Plan N cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the 2026 Medicare Part B annual deductible of $283. You pay that once per calendar year before either plan begins covering Part B costs.
What are Part B excess charges and how likely am I to face them?
Part B excess charges occur when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment and charges up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate. Nationally, over 98% of physicians accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges are uncommon. However, rates vary by specialty and geography. If you live in an area with many non-participating specialists, Plan G's excess charge coverage becomes more valuable.
Can I use Plan G or Plan N with Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap plans only work with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you are enrolled in Medicare Advantage, you cannot use a Medigap policy. You would need to disenroll from Medicare Advantage and return to Original Medicare before Medigap coverage can take effect.
Is there a network restriction with Plan G or Plan N?
No. Both plans work with any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide. There are no networks, referrals, or prior authorizations. This is one of the main advantages of Medigap over Medicare Advantage for people who travel frequently or want flexibility in choosing providers.
When does it make financial sense to choose Plan N over Plan G?
If you see a doctor four times per year or fewer, never visit the ER, and all your doctors accept Medicare assignment, Plan N typically saves money. The premium savings of $40 to $80 per month often outweigh the potential copay exposure. Run the math: multiply your expected annual office visits by $20 and add any expected ER visits multiplied by $50. If that total plus excess charge risk stays below your annual premium savings, Plan N wins.
What is the 2026 Medicare Part A deductible that both plans cover?
The 2026 Medicare Part A deductible is $1,736 per benefit period. Both Plan G and Plan N cover this in full, so a hospitalization does not trigger an out-of-pocket deductible for you. This is one of the most valuable features shared by both plans.
Check Your Medicare Eligibility
Before you compare Medigap premiums, make sure you know exactly which Medicare programs you qualify for and what your options look like based on your age, income, and coverage history. Low-income Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for Medicare Savings Programs that cover Part B premiums, which changes the Medigap math entirely.
Check your eligibility now at CoveredUSA, it takes 2 minutes.
Check My Medicare Eligibility at CoveredUSA
