Medigap Plan G vs Plan N
The two most popular choices, and the three differences between them.
Plans G and N are the Medigap plans most new enrollees compare. Both pay the Part A deductible, hospital and skilled nursing coinsurance, and foreign travel emergencies. They differ in three ways.
Side by side
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Part B deductible | You pay it | You pay it |
| Office visit copays | None | Up to $20 for some visits |
| ER visits (not admitted) | No copay | Up to $50 |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Premium | Typically higher | Typically lower |
Questions that decide it
- How many doctor visits do you expect in a year? Multiply by the Plan N copay.
- Do your doctors accept Medicare assignment? If not, excess charges can apply under Plan N.
- Does your state ban or limit excess charges? If so, that Plan G advantage shrinks.
- What's the actual premium difference from companies in your ZIP code?
- How much do you value never getting a bill after the deductible?
Switching later isn't guaranteed
Moving from Plan N to Plan G later usually means answering health questions, unless your state has a birthday, anniversary or year-round switching rule, or you have a guaranteed issue right. Choosing the plan you'd want if your health changes can matter more than the premium difference today.
Common questions
It depends on how much care you use and whether your providers accept assignment. For someone with few visits and assignment-accepting doctors, the lower premium can outweigh the copays.
You can apply anytime, but outside guaranteed issue situations the insurer may use medical underwriting. Some states have rules that make switching to equal or lesser benefits easier.
Want help with your own choices?
Every state runs a State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) with trained counselors who give free, unbiased Medicare help and do not sell plans. Find yours on our Medicare by state pages, or call Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
Planning the rest of your coverage in retirement? We can help with life insurance later in life and final expense coverage.
Sources
- Choosing a Medigap Policy (March 2026), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Checked September 29, 2026.
- Compare Medigap plan benefits, Medicare.gov. Checked September 29, 2026.
General information about the federal Medicare program, not advice about your situation. Figures are for 2026 unless stated and change every year; last reviewed September 29, 2026. Quote My Policy is a private company. Not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program.
Quote My Policy does not sell Medicare plans on this site. For plan-specific help, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) (TTY 1-877-486-2048, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.