Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N in 2026: The Complete Side-by-Side Comparison

If you’re turning 65 this year and shopping for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan, there’s a very good chance you’ve already run into this question: Should I choose Plan G or Plan N?

It’s the most common question we hear at Legacy Wealth Services — and for good reason. These two plans dominate the Medigap market in 2026. They cover most of the same things, but the differences between them can mean hundreds of dollars a year in either direction. Choosing the wrong one isn’t a disaster, but choosing the right one for your situation can save you real money over time.

Here’s the honest answer: there is no universally “better” plan. The right choice depends on how often you see doctors, where you live, how much you value simplicity, and how you weigh a lower premium against potential out-of-pocket costs. This guide will walk you through every detail so you can make a confident, informed decision.

What Medicare Supplement Plans Actually Do

Before we compare Plan G and Plan N, it helps to understand what Medigap is solving for.

Original Medicare — Parts A and B — covers a lot, but it leaves meaningful gaps. You’re responsible for:

The Part A hospital deductible ($1,676 per benefit period in 2026)
The Part B deductible ($257 in 2026)
Part B coinsurance (20% of all outpatient costs, with no annual cap)
Hospital coinsurance after day 60
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance after day 20

That 20% coinsurance with no cap is the one that concerns people most. A $200,000 surgery leaves you with a $40,000 bill under Original Medicare alone. Medigap plans exist to fill those gaps — either partially or almost completely — in exchange for a monthly premium.

Want a deeper look at how Medigap compares to Medicare Advantage? Visit our Medicare FAQ page for a full breakdown.

Plan G: The Gold Standard of Medigap Coverage

Plan G has become the most popular Medicare Supplement plan in the country — and it’s not hard to see why. When Plan F (the previous gold standard) became unavailable to newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries in 2020, Plan G stepped in as the most comprehensive option on the market.

Plan G covers:

✅ Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted)
✅ Part A deductible ($1,676 per benefit period)
✅ Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
✅ Part B coinsurance or copayment (that 20% with no cap)
✅ Part B excess charges (more on this below)
✅ Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
✅ First three pints of blood
✅ Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)

The one gap: Plan G does not cover the Part B annual deductible ($257 in 2026). You pay that once per year, and after that, Plan G covers virtually everything else.

That’s it. Pay $257 once in January, and for the rest of the year, your Medicare-covered services are essentially free at the point of care. No copays, no coinsurance, no surprises.

Plan N: The Lower-Premium Alternative

Plan N covers the same core benefits as Plan G with two important differences that make it more affordable — and slightly less predictable.

Plan N covers everything Plan G covers, except:

❌ No coverage for Part B excess charges
❌ $20 copay for office visits (doctor visits, specialist visits)
❌ $50 copay for emergency room visits (waived if you’re admitted as an inpatient)

Like Plan G, Plan N also does not cover the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). You’ll owe that first, just like with Plan G.

So with Plan N, every time you visit a doctor or specialist, you’ll pay up to $20 out of pocket. Every ER trip that doesn’t result in an admission costs $50. And if you see a doctor who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment (more on this in a moment), you could owe an additional charge that Plan N won’t cover.

In exchange for those potential costs, Plan N offers meaningfully lower monthly premiums.

Plan G vs. Plan N: Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Plan G	Plan N
Monthly Premium (avg. age 65)	$150–$220/mo	$100–$160/mo
Part B Deductible ($257)	Not covered (you pay once/year)	Not covered (you pay once/year)
Part B Coinsurance (20%)	✅ Fully covered	✅ Fully covered
Part A Deductible ($1,676)	✅ Fully covered	✅ Fully covered
Office Visit Copay	$0	Up to $20 per visit
Emergency Room Copay	$0	$50 (waived if admitted)
Part B Excess Charges	✅ Fully covered	❌ Not covered
Skilled Nursing Coinsurance	✅ Fully covered	✅ Fully covered
Hospice Coinsurance	✅ Fully covered	✅ Fully covered
Foreign Travel Emergency	✅ Covered (up to limits)	✅ Covered (up to limits)
Annual Out-of-Pocket Potential	$257 (deductible only)	$257 + copays + possible excess charges
Predictability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very high	⭐⭐⭐ Moderate

Premium ranges are market averages for a 65-year-old. Actual rates vary by carrier, gender, tobacco use, and state. Legacy Wealth Services compares rates across multiple top-rated carriers to find your best option.

The Premium Difference: Is Plan N’s Savings Worth It?

This is where the math gets interesting.

Plan N typically costs $30–$60 less per month than Plan G from the same carrier. That’s $360–$720 in annual premium savings — real money that stays in your pocket.

But Plan N comes with potential out-of-pocket costs. So the question becomes: at what point does Plan N’s lower premium stop being a savings?

The break-even calculation:

Let’s say Plan N saves you $50/month ($600/year) compared to Plan G. To “use up” that savings, you’d need to accumulate $600 in copays and excess charges over the course of a year.

At $20 per office visit, that’s 30 doctor visits before Plan N costs you more than Plan G.
At $50 per ER visit, that’s 12 ER trips before you break even.
Most people don’t come close to those numbers.

When Plan G wins the math: If you visit the doctor 20+ times per year, have a complex chronic condition, or live in an area with many doctors who charge excess charges, Plan G’s predictability often wins.

When Plan N wins the math: If you’re relatively healthy, see your doctor 4–8 times per year, and primarily use doctors who accept Medicare assignment, you’ll likely come out ahead with Plan N’s lower premium — often by $300–$500 annually.

Who Should Choose Plan G

Plan G is the right choice if:

🏥 You see multiple doctors or specialists regularly — chronic conditions, ongoing care, or complex health situations where copays add up fast
🧾 You want maximum simplicity — pay your deductible once in January and never think about it again
🗺️ You live in or travel to areas with higher rates of non-participating providers — certain metro areas and specialties have more doctors who charge excess charges
💼 You’re a planner who values certainty over optimization — knowing your maximum annual exposure is $257 has real psychological value
✈️ You travel frequently — no copays, no surprises, no matter where you seek care

Who Should Choose Plan N

Plan N is the right choice if:

💪 You’re in good health and don’t anticipate frequent doctor visits
💰 You’re budget-conscious and the $40–$60/month premium savings matters to you
👨‍⚕️ Your primary care doctor and specialists all accept Medicare assignment — you can easily verify this by asking your doctor’s office or checking Medicare’s Physician Compare tool
📊 You’re comfortable with some variability — you understand you might pay $20 here and $50 there, and you’re fine with that tradeoff
🔄 You want to self-insure the small stuff — you’d rather keep the premium savings and pay copays as they come

Ready to compare real Plan G and Plan N rates in your area? Visit our Medicare Solutions page to see quotes from multiple top-rated carriers.

A Third Option Worth Knowing: High-Deductible Plan G

If you’re very budget-conscious, there’s a third option that doesn’t get enough attention: High-Deductible Plan G (HDG).

HDG offers the same comprehensive coverage as standard Plan G — but you pay a high annual deductible ($2,870 in 2026) before coverage kicks in. In exchange, monthly premiums can be as low as $40–$70/month.

HDG works best for people who are healthy, have some savings to cover a bad year, and want the lowest possible monthly cost with catastrophic protection as a safety net. It’s not right for everyone, but it’s worth a conversation — especially if you’re on a fixed income.

The Open Enrollment Window: Why Timing Is Everything

Here’s something many people don’t realize until it’s too late: you have a one-time, 6-month window to enroll in any Medigap plan without medical underwriting.

This window opens on the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, no insurance company can deny you coverage or charge you higher premiums based on your health history.

Once that window closes, insurers in most states can ask health questions and decline your application — or charge significantly more — based on pre-existing conditions.

The bottom line: If you’re approaching 65, don’t wait. Compare your options and enroll during your Open Enrollment window while every plan is available to you at standard rates.

Get a Free, Unbiased Medicare Supplement Comparison

At Legacy Wealth Services, we work with multiple top-rated Medicare Supplement carriers — not just one. That means we can show you real Plan G and Plan N rates side by side from the carriers competing for your business, and give you a genuinely unbiased recommendation based on your health, your doctors, and your budget.

There’s no pressure, no obligation, and no cost to you. Medicare Supplement premiums are regulated — you pay the same price whether you go through a broker or directly to the carrier. The difference is that working with us gives you an expert advocate who can compare the entire market for you.

Get Your Free Medicare Supplement Quote →

Have questions first? We’re happy to talk through your options before you make any decisions. Contact us here or call us directly at 503-832-8555.

Rodney Cummings | Legacy Wealth Services | Happy Valley, OR Oregon Insurance License #18847712 This article is for educational purposes only. Medicare plan details, premiums, and deductibles are subject to change. Consult a licensed Medicare advisor for personalized guidance.