Medicare Supplement Plan G vs N Comparison 2026

Disclaimer

I write for education, not as legal, tax, or insurance advice. Medicare rules and Medigap pricing change by state, carrier, and your situation. Confirm details with Medicare.gov, your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), and the plan documents before you enroll.

Quick Summary

If you want the simplest coverage and you hate surprise bills, Plan G usually wins because it pays almost everything after you meet the Part B deductible.
If you want lower premiums and you can handle small copays, Plan N can save money, especially if you rarely visit doctors.
The “real” decision comes down to three things: how often you use care, whether your doctors accept Medicare assignment, and the premium gap between G and N where you live.

Key Points

Plan G: you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, then the plan pays the rest of Part A and Part B cost sharing in most situations.
Plan N: you pay the Part B deductible plus office and ER copays in certain situations, and you can pay Part B excess charges if your provider does not accept assignment.
Neither plan includes Part D drugs. Neither plan covers dental, vision, or hearing by default.
In 2026, the smartest comparison focuses on total annual cost, not premium alone: premium plus deductible plus copays plus any excess charges risk.

Intro

Most people compare Medigap Plan G vs Plan N the wrong way. They stare at the premium, pick the cheaper line item, and assume they “won.” Then a few months later they get a bill they did not expect, or they realize their doctors bill above Medicare’s approved amount.

I want you to walk away with a clean, practical answer: which plan fits your usage and your budget in 2026, and how to choose fast without guessing.

I also want to save you from the two biggest traps I see when retirees shop for Medicare gap coverage plans: confusing what Medigap covers versus Medicare Advantage, and ignoring excess charges until it becomes expensive.

Here’s the soft cliffhanger you need before we dive in: the best choice between Plan G and Plan N usually shows up when you calculate one single “break-even” number based on your local premium difference. I’ll show you exactly how to do that.

First, get your bearings: what Medigap is and what it is not

People use a lot of names for the same thing: Medigap, Medicare supplement insurance, Medicare supplemental insurance options. They all point to private plans that help pay the “gaps” in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B).

Medigap works only with Original Medicare

Original Medicare pays first. Then your Medigap plan pays its share based on standardized benefits.

Medigap is standardized in most states

A Plan G from one carrier covers the same medical benefits as Plan G from another carrier in the same state. Price, service, and household discounts differ, but the medical coverage design stays the same. Medicare describes this standardization and how Medigap works. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap basics https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics

What Medigap does not do

It does not replace Part D drug coverage. You still need a Part D plan if you want outpatient prescription coverage. Source: Medicare.gov Part D overview https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d/what-medicare-part-d-drug-plans-cover
It does not cap your Part D drug costs by itself.
It does not include routine dental, vision, hearing.
It does not include extras like gym memberships. That comes up more in Medicare Advantage.

Micro story: the “I thought Plan G covered my prescriptions” moment

A neighbor of mine told me she “had everything covered” because she bought Plan G. She felt confident right up until the pharmacy asked for hundreds of dollars for a brand-name medication. She did nothing wrong. She just mixed up “Medicare supplemental insurance options” with “drug coverage.” Once she added Part D, the stress dropped immediately. Keep that separation clear and you avoid a lot of pain.

The real question behind the search query

If you searched “medicare supplement plan g vs n comparison 2026,” you want one of these outcomes:

You want the plan that costs less in the real world, not on a brochure.
You want to avoid surprise bills.
You want to feel confident you chose the “right” option for retiree life: frequent visits, occasional emergencies, and travel.

That intent tells me you need a Medicare supplement insurance comparison that includes costs, risk, and a simple decision framework.

What Plan G and Plan N both cover

Plan G and Plan N both cover big-ticket gaps in Original Medicare, including:

Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (after Medicare pays)
Part A hospice coinsurance or copayment
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
First 3 pints of blood
Part B coinsurance (with a key difference for N)
Foreign travel emergency benefit (limited) for certain Medigap plans, including G and N, as standardized benefits describe. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap benefits chart https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

They also both require you to keep paying your Part B premium

Medigap does not replace your monthly Part B premium. Source: Medicare.gov Part B costs https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs

Now the cliffhanger: even though both plans look similar on a chart, the way they handle “nickel-and-dime” costs changes how you feel using the plan. That feeling matters in retirement because predictability matters.

The Plan G promise

Think of Plan G as “nearly everything after the Part B deductible.”

Medicare supplement plan G deductible

Plan G does not pay the Medicare Part B deductible. You pay that deductible yourself, then Plan G covers the Part B coinsurance for Medicare-covered services in most cases. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap Plan G details through benefits chart https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

What you pay with Plan G in a typical year

Monthly premium for Plan G
Your Part B deductible

That’s the core of it, assuming you use providers who accept Medicare and you stay within Medicare-covered services.

Why retirees like Plan G

It feels “set it and forget it.” When you go to the doctor, you stop bracing for extra bills after you met the deductible.

Micro story: the predictable budget win

I worked with a retiree who tracked every medical expense in a notebook. He hated the mental overhead of wondering, “Will this visit cost me extra?” He chose Plan G even though it cost more per month than Plan N. His words stuck with me: “I’m buying fewer decisions.” That is a real benefit.

The Plan N tradeoff

Plan N lowers the premium for many people, but it asks you to share some costs when you use care.

Medicare supplement plan N copayments

With Plan N, after you pay the Part B deductible, you can pay copays for certain office visits and emergency room visits that do not lead to an inpatient admission. Medicare summarizes Plan N copay structure in the standardized benefits chart. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap compare benefits https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

Plan N also exposes you to Part B excess charges in some cases

This part drives the biggest surprises.

What are excess charges

Some doctors do not accept Medicare assignment. They can bill up to a “limiting charge” above Medicare’s approved amount in many states. Medicare explains assignment and what it means for your costs. Source: Medicare.gov Assignment https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/provider-accepts-medicare

Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges

Plan G covers them under standard benefits. Plan N does not. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap benefits chart https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

Quick warning

If you pick Plan N and you see a specialist who bills excess charges, you pay that difference out of pocket. That single detail flips the “cheaper premium” story fast.

Micro story: the specialist who did not accept assignment

A friend’s dad chose Plan N to save premium. He felt great until he needed a specialized procedure with an out-of-network style billing pattern. The provider did not accept assignment. The bill did not bankrupt him, but it irritated him because he did not see it coming. The lesson: check assignment acceptance for the doctors you actually use.

Medigap Plan G vs Plan N: the side-by-side that actually matters

Here’s the comparison people need, without fluff.

What you pay no matter what with both plans

Part B premium
Part B deductible (both G and N require you to pay it)

What differs

Plan G

Higher premium in many markets
After the Part B deductible: very low surprise cost for Medicare-covered services
Covers Part B excess charges

Plan N

Lower premium in many markets
After the Part B deductible: you pay copays for certain visits
Does not cover Part B excess charges
You still pay the Part B coinsurance, but Plan N covers it except for the copay structure, per standardized chart. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap compare benefits https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

Medicare gap coverage plans: the “risk budget” idea

I encourage people to think in two budgets: money and stress.

Plan G spends more money up front to buy lower stress.
Plan N keeps more money in your pocket monthly but asks you to handle small bills and the excess-charge risk.

That is the emotional layer behind the search: you want savings, but you also want calm.

Plan F vs Plan G vs Plan N in 2026

People still search this because Plan F set the gold standard for “first-dollar coverage.”

Medicare plan f vs plan g vs plan n

Plan F pays the Part B deductible, so it historically produced the least out-of-pocket spending for Medicare-covered services. But federal rules stopped Plan F from being available to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Medicare explains this eligibility change. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap Plan F and C eligibility https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

So what matters in 2026

If you already have Plan F, you can usually keep it.
If you are newly eligible after 2020, you compare Plan G vs Plan N as the practical choice set.

A strong stance

For most new retirees in 2026 who want the “closest thing to Plan F,” Plan G fills that role because it covers everything except the Part B deductible.

The cost comparison that decides the winner: a simple break-even test

Most Medicare supplement insurance comparison pages stop at charts. You need math you can use.

Step 1: Find your monthly premium difference

Premium difference = Plan G premium minus Plan N premium.

Example
Plan G premium: 180 per month
Plan N premium: 140 per month
Difference: 40 per month
Annual difference: 40 x 12 = 480

Step 2: Estimate your Plan N copays for the year

Use your real habits, not wishful thinking.

Example estimate
6 primary care visits with copay
4 specialist visits with copay
1 ER visit that does not lead to admission with copay

Your exact copay amounts depend on the standardized limits and what the provider bills, and you must verify current plan details with the carrier. Use Medicare’s chart as the baseline for what Plan N allows. Source: Medicare.gov compare benefits https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

Step 3: Add “excess charges risk” as a yes/no factor

Ask two direct questions
Do my doctors accept assignment
Do the specialists I use bill excess charges

If you cannot answer, call the office and ask, “Do you accept Medicare assignment for all Medicare patients?” Medicare explains why assignment matters. Source: Medicare.gov assignment https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs/provider-accepts-medicare

Decision rule you can trust

If Plan G costs only a little more than Plan N, Plan G wins for most people because it buys simplicity and excess charge protection.
If Plan G costs much more than Plan N and you rarely visit doctors and your providers accept assignment, Plan N can win on annual cost.

Medicare supplement plan G vs N annual costs: what to include

When people calculate annual costs, they forget key line items and then blame the plan later.

Use this checklist

Premiums for 12 months
Part B deductible (you pay it with both)
Plan N copays based on your visit pattern
Excess charges (Plan N exposure)
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance exposure (both cover it under standard benefits)
Foreign travel emergency benefit limits if travel matters (both have limited benefit, not unlimited protection) Source: Medicare.gov Medigap benefit chart https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

A practical template

Annual total cost estimate = premiums + Part B deductible + expected copays + expected excess charges

You do not need a spreadsheet to do this. A notepad works. I still like paper for this decision because it keeps you honest.

Medicare supplement plan G vs N for retirees: who should pick what

I will take a position instead of giving you vague “it depends” advice.

Plan G fits you if

You want predictable costs after you meet the Part B deductible
You see specialists regularly
You manage chronic conditions
You dislike bills showing up later
You want protection from Part B excess charges

Plan N fits you if

You want a lower premium and you feel comfortable paying copays when you use care
You see doctors a few times per year
You feel confident your doctors accept assignment
You want a “pay as you go” style with a lower monthly commitment

Micro story: two retirees, two correct answers

Retiree A: diabetes plus cardiology follow-ups. He chose Plan G. He paid more monthly, then stopped thinking about bills.
Retiree B: healthy, annual physical, one specialist check-in. She chose Plan N and banked the premium savings. She also confirmed her specialists accept assignment before enrolling. That single phone call made Plan N feel safe.

State availability and pricing rules in 2026

medicare supplement plan g vs n state availability
Plan letters exist widely, but pricing and enrollment rules differ by state.

Standardization exceptions

Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use different standardization models. Medicare notes these state differences. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap in MA MN WI https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics

Pricing methods you will see

Community-rated, issue-age-rated, attained-age-rated. These impact how premiums change over time. Medicare explains rating methods. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap costs and pricing https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/costs

Practical advice

When you compare Plan G vs Plan N, compare not only the premium today but also the carrier’s historical rate increase pattern in your state. Ask the agent or carrier for rate history. Not every company hands it over easily, but you can ask.

Enrollment timing: the mistake that creates underwriting problems

You can buy Medigap anytime, but your best window comes with protections.

Medigap Open Enrollment Period

It starts when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and it lasts 6 months. During that time, you can buy any Medigap plan sold in your state without medical underwriting. Medicare explains this clearly. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap open enrollment https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/when-to-buy

Why it matters for Plan G vs N

If you delay and develop health issues, a carrier can deny you or charge more in many situations outside protected periods. So the “best” plan in theory means nothing if you cannot get it later.

Quick warning

Do not assume you can “start with Plan N and switch to Plan G later” without consequences. Outside protected windows, underwriting can block the move.

A step-by-step framework to choose Plan G or Plan N in 20 minutes

This is the workflow I recommend because it matches real decision behavior.

Step 1: Write down your intent in one sentence

Example: “I want stable costs and no surprise bills.”
Or: “I want the lowest monthly premium and I do not mind copays.”

Step 2: Count your expected visits

Primary care visits per year
Specialist visits per year
Procedures or imaging frequency

Step 3: Check assignment acceptance

Call your top 3 providers. Ask: “Do you accept Medicare assignment?”
If they hesitate, treat that as a red flag for Plan N.

Step 4: Get real quotes for both plans from multiple carriers

Because benefits standardize, price and service decide the carrier.

Step 5: Run the break-even test

Annual premium difference vs your expected copays plus excess charge risk.

Step 6: Choose based on your “stress budget”

If you lose sleep over uncertainty, pick Plan G.
If you love paying less monthly and you stay organized, Plan N can fit.

Step 7: Lock in Part D separately

Do not leave drug coverage to chance. Medicare explains Part D enrollment and coverage. Source: Medicare.gov Part D https://www.medicare.gov/drug-coverage-part-d

Examples: three realistic scenarios in 2026

Scenario 1: Frequent specialist care

Profile: 12 specialist visits, 6 primary care visits, recurring imaging
What wins: Plan G
Why: the premium gap rarely beats the accumulated copays and the mental overhead, plus excess charge protection matters.

Scenario 2: Healthy retiree with low utilization

Profile: 2 primary care visits, 1 specialist visit, no ER
What wins: Plan N
Why: premium savings outweigh small copays, assuming providers accept assignment.

Scenario 3: Snowbird or frequent traveler

Profile: travels across states, sees different providers
What wins: Plan G for many people
Why: you reduce the risk of running into a provider that bills excess charges, and you simplify claims across locations.

Note: For foreign travel, Medigap provides limited emergency coverage and rules apply. Confirm limits in your plan. Source: Medicare.gov Medigap benefits https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/compare-plan-benefits

Common mistakes I see in Plan G vs Plan N shopping

Mistake 1: Comparing Medigap to Medicare Advantage like they are the same

They operate differently. Medigap pairs with Original Medicare. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare coverage route. Source: Medicare.gov Medicare Advantage https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/health-plans/your-coverage-options

Mistake 2: Ignoring provider assignment until after enrollment

Fix: ask before you enroll.

Mistake 3: Choosing based on premium only

Fix: use total annual cost.

Mistake 4: Forgetting Part D

Fix: handle drugs as a separate purchase.

Mistake 5: Assuming you can switch later

Fix: understand underwriting and your state rules.

Carrier selection: how to choose a company without getting sold to

You asked for non-promotional content, so here’s the clean way to evaluate carriers without hype.

Because benefits standardize, focus on
Price stability in your state
Household discounts if you qualify
Customer service reputation
Claims handling simplicity
Financial strength ratings from independent agencies (verify directly with the rating agency)

Ask these questions on the phone

How long have you offered Medigap in my state
How do you price this plan: attained-age, issue-age, community-rated
Do you have a history of big rate jumps
What is the underwriting process if I apply outside open enrollment

Final decision guide: pick Plan G or Plan N

Choose Plan G if you want the most predictable Medicare supplemental insurance option that still stays widely available for new eligibles. You pay the Part B deductible, then you stop thinking about most Medicare-approved bills.

Choose Plan N if you want to lower premium and you can handle copays and the excess charge risk. It rewards low utilization and good provider selection.

If you feel stuck, do this one thing

Call your most expensive specialist and ask about Medicare assignment. If they accept assignment, Plan N becomes safer. If they do not, Plan G becomes the obvious choice.

People Also Ask

Author Bio

We writes about Medicare and retirement healthcare choices with a focus on practical decision tools and plain-English explanations. He helps readers compare Medicare gap coverage plans using total annual cost, provider billing behavior, and enrollment timing so they can choose confidently without getting sold to.