What Is the Cheapest Medicare Supplement Plan G? (2026)

Direct Answer: What Determines Your Cheapest Plan G Price

Depends. Medigap Plan G premiums are set by private insurers, not the government, so 2026 costs vary widely: about $110 to $140 a month in low-cost states like Iowa and South Dakota, $166 to $220 a month nationally, and over $480 a month in New York. High-Deductible Plan G, with a $2,950 deductible in 2026, often costs $30 to $60 a month in 2026 instead. Compare quotes from multiple carriers to find your cheapest rate.

What Medicare Supplement Plan G Actually Covers

Medicare Supplement Plan G pays nearly every gap Original Medicare leaves open once you enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Plan G covers the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026), Part A hospice and skilled nursing coinsurance, the 20% Part B coinsurance on doctor visits and outpatient care, the first 3 pints of blood, and Part B excess charges (the extra amount some doctors bill above the Medicare-approved rate). Without any Medigap policy, Original Medicare beneficiaries pay that 20% Part B coinsurance out of pocket with no annual cap, which is why a serious illness can generate tens of thousands of dollars in bills.

The one gap Plan G leaves open on purpose is the annual Part B deductible, $283 in 2026, which every Plan G enrollee pays before Medigap coverage kicks in. Plan G does not include Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage or routine dental, vision, or hearing benefits, so most Plan G enrollees pair it with a standalone Part D plan. Because Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, a Plan G policy from one insurer covers the exact same benefits as a Plan G policy from any other insurer, in every state except Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which use their own standardized formats.

Why Plan G Premiums Vary So Much by State and Insurer

State insurance regulators, not the federal government, approve Medigap premium filings, so identical Plan G coverage can cost 3 to 4 times more in one state than another. Insurers price Plan G using one of three rating methods: community-rated (everyone pays the same regardless of age), issue-age-rated (your premium is locked in based on the age you bought the policy), or attained-age-rated (your premium rises every year as you get older). Attained-age-rated policies often look cheapest at 65 but become the most expensive by your mid-70s, so the lowest advertised rate is not always the lowest lifetime cost.

Timing also affects price. Insurers that use medical underwriting outside your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period may impose a preexisting condition waiting period of up to 6 months if you had a gap in prior creditable coverage, or deny your application outright based on your health history. Buying during your Open Enrollment Period, or during a guaranteed-issue event such as losing employer coverage, removes underwriting from the equation entirely and often produces the cheapest available rate for your health status.

The Cheapest States and Rating Methods for Plan G in 2026

Plan G premiums for a 65-year-old non-smoker run about $110 to $140 a month in 2026 in low-cost states like Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota, up to $483 a month on average in New York, where Medigap is guaranteed-issue year-round and community-rated. Illinois, Tennessee, and Ohio also post some of the lowest Plan G averages nationally in 2026, generally $165 to $190 a month. Your ZIP code, gender, tobacco use, and household discount (many insurers cut 5% to 12% off 2026 premiums if a spouse also buys a policy) move the price further.

High-Deductible Plan G: The Lowest-Premium Option

High-Deductible Plan G offers the exact same benefits as standard Plan G once you meet an annual deductible set by CMS at $2,950 for 2026, up from $2,870 in 2025. Instead of Medigap paying your Part B coinsurance and hospital deductible from day one, you pay Medicare-approved costs yourself, including your $283 Part B deductible (2026), which counts toward the $2,950 cap, until you reach the threshold. In exchange, monthly premiums often run $30 to $60 in 2026, a fraction of standard Plan G pricing, which makes High-Deductible Plan G attractive for retirees who are healthy, have savings to cover the deductible, and want catastrophic protection at the lowest possible monthly cost.

How to Find Your Cheapest Plan G Rate

Finding the cheapest Plan G rate takes real comparison shopping because CMS does not publish a single national price. Follow these steps:

• Use the Medicare Plan Finder at medicare.gov/plan-compare to see which insurers sell Plan G in your ZIP code.
• Request quotes from at least 3 to 5 carriers directly, since online aggregator quotes do not always reflect every company's actual filed rate.
• Buy during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B; insurers cannot use medical underwriting or deny you coverage during this window.
• Ask about household discounts, which many carriers offer if you live with a spouse or partner who also buys a Medigap policy.
• Compare rating methods (community, issue-age, attained-age), not just the starting price, since attained-age policies get more expensive every year.
• Check with your state Department of Insurance for a rate comparison chart; many states, including California, New York, and Texas, publish official Medigap rate guides.

Alternatives If Plan G Is Still Too Expensive

Plan G is not the only way to limit Original Medicare's cost exposure, and several lower-cost alternatives exist for beneficiaries who cannot afford the premium.

• Medigap Plan N: typically $100 to $160 a month in 2026, about $30 to $60 less than Plan G, though enrollees pay copays up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in admission, and remain responsible for Part B excess charges in states that allow them.
• Medicare Advantage: many plans charge $0 to $50 a month in 2026 premiums and cap annual out-of-pocket spending at $9,250 in 2026, though you trade Medigap's nationwide provider freedom for a plan network.
• Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs): if your income is limited, your state Medicaid office may pay your Part B premium and cost-sharing directly, which can make separate Medigap coverage unnecessary.
• Dual-eligible Special Needs Plans (D-SNPs): available to beneficiaries who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid, these Medicare Advantage plans often carry $0 premiums in 2026 and extra benefits Medigap does not offer.
• Medigap Plan K or Plan L: lower-premium Medigap options that cap your annual out-of-pocket costs instead of covering everything, useful if you want some predictability without paying Plan G's full premium.

What is the cheapest state for Medicare Supplement Plan G in 2026?

Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota consistently post the lowest Plan G averages, often $110 to $140 a month for a 65-year-old non-smoker in 2026. Illinois, Tennessee, and Ohio also run lower than the $166 to $220 national average in 2026. New York is the most expensive, averaging about $483 a month in 2026 because it requires community-rated, guaranteed-issue Medigap coverage year-round. Your exact rate still depends on your ZIP code, gender, tobacco use, and the specific carrier you choose.

Does Medigap Plan G cost the same for everyone in my state?

No. Within a single state, Plan G premiums still vary by insurer, ZIP code, age, gender, and tobacco use, and sometimes by rating method (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated). Two insurers selling the exact same standardized Plan G benefits in the same city can price the policy hundreds of dollars apart per year, so it always pays to request multiple quotes rather than buying from the first company you find.

What is the difference between Plan G and High-Deductible Plan G?

Both cover identical benefits once your deductible is met. Standard Plan G pays covered costs from day one for a monthly premium of roughly $166 to $220 in 2026. High-Deductible Plan G charges a much lower premium, often $30 to $60 a month in 2026, but you must pay $2,950 out of pocket in 2026, including your Part B deductible, before Medigap coverage starts paying.

Is Plan N cheaper than Plan G?

Usually, yes. In 2026, Plan N premiums typically run $30 to $60 a month less than Plan G because Plan N enrollees pay small copays (up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in admission) and remain responsible for Part B excess charges in the states that permit them. Plan N can be a good trade-off if you rarely visit doctors and want a lower fixed premium.

Can I switch to a cheaper Plan G later if my premium goes up?

Yes, but you may face medical underwriting. Outside your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation, insurers can review your health history and deny coverage or charge more when you apply to switch carriers. Some states, including California, Missouri, and Oregon, offer a birthday rule or anniversary rule that lets you switch to an equal or lesser plan without underwriting; check your state Department of Insurance for local protections.

Does Medicare Advantage cost less than Medigap Plan G?

Often, yes, on premiums. Many Medicare Advantage plans charge $0 to $50 a month compared to Plan G's $166 to $220 national average in 2026, and Medicare Advantage caps your annual out-of-pocket spending at $9,250 in 2026. The trade-off is a provider network and required referrals in many plans, versus Plan G's ability to see any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare.

When is the best time to buy Plan G at the lowest price?

The cheapest and safest time to buy Plan G is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers in nearly every state must sell you any Plan G policy at their standard rate regardless of your health history. Buying outside this window risks medical underwriting, a higher premium, or an outright denial.

What if I cannot afford any Medigap Plan G premium?

Lower-cost paths still exist. Ask your state Medicaid office about Medicare Savings Programs, which can pay your Part B premium and cost-sharing if your income qualifies. Consider a $0-premium Medicare Advantage plan, a lower-cost Medigap Plan N or High-Deductible Plan G, or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for free, unbiased counseling on which option fits your budget.