In 2026, Medicare beneficiaries face a pivotal choice between Medicare supplement Plan G and Medicare supplement Plan N, two leading supplemental insurance options that differ in cost-sharing and coverage.
Medigap Plan G and Medigap Plan N are types of Medigap policies, also known as Medicare supplement insurance or Medicare supplements, offered by private insurance companies with benefits standardized by the federal government. These Medicare supplement plans are designed to fill gaps in Original Medicare coverage, and it is important to compare Medigap plans to find the right fit for your needs. Insurance companies that sell these Medigap plans must follow standards set by the federal government to ensure consistent coverage.
Medigap Seminars Insurance Agency Reviews.
Medicare supplement Plan G offers comprehensive coverage, limiting out of pocket costs for all Medicare approved expenses except the Medicare Part B deductible, and includes coverage for Part B excess charges, ensuring predictable out-of-pocket costs.
Conversely, Medigap Plan N features lower monthly premiums but requires copayments for certain services, such as up to $20 for office visits and $50 for emergency room visits, and does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges, which are rare but can lead to additional costs if incurred. This Medicare supplement comparison guide provides an updated analysis of both plans, helping you determine which aligns best with your healthcare needs and financial preferences in 2026.
Key Differences Between Medicare Plan G and Plan N
Medigap Plan G
Medigap Plan G offers comprehensive coverage by reducing out of pocket costs for by paying all or some of the deductibles, coinsurance and copay for any Medicare approved amount billed to the consumer. It turns Medicare insurance into more comprehensive coverage.
Medigap Plan G covers all Medicare-approved expenses except the Medicare Part B deductible. Combined with Original Medicare, you’ll never have to pay copays for doctor or ER visits, and this Medigap policy also protects from Medicare excess charges. Medigap Plan G typically comes with higher monthly premiums or higher premiums than other Medigap plans, but it helps manage healthcare costs and limit out of pocket expenses by eliminating the copays, coinsurance and deductibles associated with Original Medicare healthcare expenses.
Medigap Plan N
Medicare Plan N offers similar inpatient and outpatient medical coverage but requires modest copays and doesn’t cover excess charges. This makes it a lower-premium option for those comfortable with limited out-of-pocket expenses and choosing doctors who accept Medicare assignment. Plan N can help beneficiaries save money on premiums while still providing coverage for essential healthcare services, though it requires cost-sharing for certain medical services.
Medicare supplement Plan N is often considered the best value of all the Medicare supplement plans that offer full coverage.
Both plans cover Medicare-approved expenses and help reduce healthcare expenses by providing coverage for gaps in Original Medicare. Choosing the right plan depends on your preferred healthcare provider and the type of Medicare coverage you need.
Quick Summary: Plan G vs Plan N in 2026
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
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Part A Inpatient Coverage |
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Part B Deductible |
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Part B Excess Charges |
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Office Visit Copays |
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ER Visit Copays |
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Monthly Premium |
Higher |
Lower |
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Out-of-Pocket Max |
Part B deductible only |
Part B deductible + copays |
Both Plan G and Plan N are Medicare supplemental plans designed to work with Medicare Parts A and B. The out-of-pocket maximums for these supplemental plans are tied to the annual Medicare Part B deductible, helping cover costs not paid by Original Medicare. These plans help manage annual Medicare expenses for inpatient and outpatient services.
Plan G Coverage Breakdown
Full Inpatient Coverage
Plan G fully covers all Medicare Part A inpatient care costs. Whether you’re in the hospital for a day or several months, you won’t pay anything out of pocket after Medicare pays its share. Medicare supplement Plan G also covers skilled nursing care and skilled nursing facility care, providing additional protection for extended inpatient stays.
Keep in mind, that even as an inpatient, physician services are covered under Medicare Part B. Your Medigap Plan G will also pay the 20% physician services coinsurance at 100%. Compate that to Medicare supplement Plan N that may have $20 copays when a doctor makes their rounds.
Almost Full Outpatient Coverage
The only cost not covered is the annual Part B deductible (e.g., $283 in 2026; may vary by year). After that’s paid, Medicare Plan G covers 100% of eligible outpatient services and hospice care coinsurance, including:
Doctor visits
Specialist consultations
Outpatient surgeries
Preventive services
Medicare supplement Plan G covers a wide range of medical services and other approved services, including emergency department visits, ensuring that all covered services under Medicare are included. Medicare supplement Plan G offers the most Medigap plan benefits available to those new to Medicare.
No Copays or Coinsurance
There are no hidden costs for emergency medical care. That’s why we often call it the “Peace of Mind Plan.”
Medicare Supplement Plan N Coverage & Copay Details
Hospital Coverage Like Plan G
Medicare supplement Plan N covers 100% of inpatient services after Medicare pays its share—identical to Medicare supplement Plan G. Medigap Plan N also covers skilled nursing care and skilled nursing facility care, providing important protection for beneficiaries who require extended inpatient services. With Medicare supplement Plan N you have no out of pocket costs for inpatient care.
Copays Apply for Some Services
Doctor Office Visits: Up to $20 per visit, for evaluation/diagnosis visits.
Emergency Room Visit: $50 copay for each emergency room visit, waived if admitted.
No copay for preventive care, physical therapy, chemotherapy, or flu shots.
Pandemic-Era Changes Still Apply
Medicare benefits like telehealth and urgent care visits are now billed as office visits. This started during the pandemic. That means copays may now apply to these services. This is likely a permanent change moving forward.
Understanding Medicare Part B Excess Charges
What Are Excess Charges?
Some doctors who don’t accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. These are called Part B excess charges for healthcare providers who don’t accept Medicare assignment. Excess charges may appear as additional fees on your Medicare bills if your provider does not accept Medicare assignment.
Medicare supplement Plan G covers these charges.
Medicare supplement Plan N does not.
Are Excess Charges Common?
No, Medicare excess charges are not common. Over 98% of doctors accept Medicare assignment. According to KFF.org, only 2% of Medicare accepting providers charge excess fees, and 40% of those are psychiatrists. Even so, out of pocket costs for excess charges average less than $50.
How to Avoid Excess Charges:
Use the Medicare.gov Physician Finder to search for doctors who accept assignment.
If a doctor asks for upfront payment, it’s a sign they may charge excess fees.
Cost Comparison: Which Plan Saves You More?
Medicare Plan G
Higher monthly premium
Fewer surprises: no copays, no excess charges
Ideal for those who want predictable costs
Your maximum annual limit for Medicare plan out of pocket costs is the amount of the Medicare Part B deductible.
Medicare Plan N
Lower monthly premium
Modest copays for office/ER visits
Best for those comfortable managing minor out-of-pocket costs and choosing the right doctors.
Which Medicare Supplement Plan Is Best?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on:
Your monthly budget
Your comfort with small copays
Whether your doctors accept Medicare assignment
Plan G is great for “set-it-and-forget-it” peace of mind.
Plan N is excellent for healthy individuals looking to save on premiums while maintaining solid protection.
Need Help Deciding? We’re Here for You
At Medigap Seminars, our licensed agents offer free Medicare consultations. We help you find the right Medigap coverage for your needs and budget:
Supplemental coverage : compare Plan G vs Plan N (and Plan F if you’re eligible)
Avoid common Medicare mistakes
Understand your out-of-pocket maximums and coverage expectations
Call us at 800-847-9680 for a free personalized consultation.
“Our mission is simple: We help you make an informed Medicare decision.”
Conclusion
While Plan N and Plan G are similar, offering the same coverage for many services, there are significant differences. Medicare supplement Plan N has a lower monthly premium, and can be a great value as long as you choose doctors that accept Medicare assignment. Use the physician finder on Medicare.gov to identify doctor’s that accept Medicare assignment. Medicare Plan G has more comprehensive coverage and a higher premium. No supplement Plan covers more for those new to Medicare today.
How We Can Help
Matthew Claassen and his MedigapSeminars.org teamOur motto is “Make an informed decision”. Our goal is to offer free Medicare help with the intent to help understand the Medicare program fully and know all your Medicare options. We first review the Medigap Plans available, including comparing Plan G vs Plan N and even Plan F if eligible. We can offer free Medicare help to you because we are paid by whichever insurance company you decide to work with when we help you with the application In addition, we help our clients avoid the Medicare Mistakes made by so many DIY Medicare beneficiaries. Call us at 800-847-9680 for personalized assistance.
FAQ
You can apply for a Medicare supplement any day of the year, 365-days a year. If you are within 6-months or 180-days of your Medicare Part B start date, you can get any Medicare supplement without answering medical questions. Outside of that 6-month window, you can still apply for a policy but may need to qualify medically to be accepted. Several states have exceptions that allow for an annual open enrollment.
No. You must have Medicare Part A and Part B to receive any benefits from a Medicare supplement.
Yes. However, if you currently have a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can only make a change during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. Otherwise, you can apply for a Medicare supplement at any time.
I like to measure the value of a Plan N by looking at the monthly premium difference between the Plan G and Plan N. Then divide that difference by $20, the office visit copay. View the difference as “office visits per month”. How many office visits every month will it take for Plan N not to be a better value than Plan G?
KFF.org Medicare Advantage Networks Included 46 Percent of Physicians in a County, on Average. Published October 2017
