Medicare Plan G vs Plan N in 2026: Which Medigap Plan Saves You More?

What Are Medigap Plans G and N?

Medigap — Medicare Supplement Insurance — is private coverage that fills the gaps left by Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Without a supplement, you're exposed to the Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026), hospital coinsurance, 20% of every doctor bill after the Part B deductible, and potentially unlimited out-of-pocket costs.

CMS standardizes Medigap benefits by letter, so a Plan G from one insurer covers exactly the same services as a Plan G from another — the only variable is premium. Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular options for newly eligible enrollees, since Plan F closed to new enrollees in 2020.

Plan G vs Plan N: Side-by-Side Coverage

Plan G covers the Part A deductible and hospital costs, Part A hospice coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, foreign travel emergencies (up to limits), and the first three pints of blood. The only thing it doesn't cover is the annual Part B deductible — $283 in 2026.

Plan N covers the same list with two differences: it does not cover Part B excess charges, and instead of $0 outpatient copays you pay up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per ER visit (waived if admitted). Like Plan G, Plan N also requires you to pay the $283 Part B deductible first. Both cover 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits end.

The Premium Difference

Because Plan G is more comprehensive, insurers charge more for it. In practice, Plan N typically costs $20 to $50 less per month than Plan G for the same enrollee — $240 to $600 a year in premium savings.

Premiums vary by insurer, age, tobacco use, and state, but the relative gap between G and N is fairly consistent. To compare actual quotes, use Medicare.gov's Medigap plan finder or a licensed independent broker who can pull rates from multiple carriers in your ZIP code.

Understanding Plan N's Copays

Plan N's copays are a set dollar amount, not a percentage: up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per ER visit you aren't admitted for. The 'up to' matters — if a visit costs less than $20, you pay the actual amount.

To decide whether Plan N's copays hurt or help: count your typical visits. Seven visits a year is roughly $140 in copays. If Plan N saves you $40/month in premium, you come out ahead by hundreds — but the math tilts toward Plan G if you see doctors frequently.

Part B Excess Charges: Plan N's Hidden Risk

Here's the gap that trips up Plan N enrollees: when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers that overage; Plan N does not.

In practice, the vast majority of providers who bill Medicare accept assignment, so excess charges are rare. Eight states — Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont — prohibit excess charges entirely, making Plan N's gap irrelevant there. But in states that allow them, a single procedure by a non-participating specialist could cost more than months of premium savings.

Who Should Choose Plan G?

Plan G makes the most sense if you see multiple specialists regularly, have a chronic condition, or simply want to know that — beyond the one $283 annual deductible — you'll have zero out-of-pocket costs on Medicare-covered services. It's also better if you live in a state that allows excess charges and want full protection regardless of provider.

If predictability is worth more to you than a lower monthly bill, Plan G is the cleaner choice.

Who Should Choose Plan N?

Plan N is a strong fit if you're generally healthy, have few specialist visits, and live in a state that prohibits excess charges or where nearly all providers accept assignment. Younger enrollees often find Plan N attractive because lower premiums over many years add up.

It works well as a deliberate budget choice: you accept modest, predictable copays for lower monthly costs. As long as you confirm your providers accept Medicare assignment, the risk of surprise bills stays low. Run the numbers for your own visit frequency first.

How to Get Quotes and Enroll

Because Plan G and Plan N benefits are federally standardized, the only reasons to compare insurers are premium and service reputation. Use the free Medigap plan finder at Medicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

The best time to enroll is your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six months starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Part B — when insurers cannot deny you or charge more for pre-existing conditions. Outside that window, most states allow medical underwriting, which can raise premiums or lead to denial. If switching plans, check your state's guaranteed-issue rules.