Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan N vs Plan F: Which Is Right for You in 2026?

If you’re turning 65 or re-evaluating your Medicare coverage, you’ve likely heard about Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans — specifically Plans F, G, and N. These are the three most popular options, and choosing the wrong one can cost you thousands of dollars over the years.

This guide breaks down exactly how each plan works, what it covers, what it costs, and — most importantly — which one makes the most sense for your situation.

What Is a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Medicare Supplement insurance (also called Medigap) fills the “gaps” that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) doesn’t cover — things like deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Without a supplement plan, Medicare typically pays 80% of approved costs, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20% with no out-of-pocket maximum. A catastrophic illness or hospital stay could cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies but are standardized by the federal government — meaning a Plan G from one company offers the exact same benefits as a Plan G from any other company.

The Big Three: F, G, and N at a Glance

Benefit	Plan F	Plan G	Plan N
Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs	✅	✅	✅
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment	✅	✅	✅*
Blood (first 3 pints)	✅	✅	✅
Part A hospice care coinsurance	✅	✅	✅
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance	✅	✅	✅
Medicare Part A deductible	✅	✅	✅
Medicare Part B deductible	✅	❌	❌
Medicare Part B excess charges	✅	✅	❌
Foreign travel emergency (80%)	✅	✅	✅

*Plan N requires copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted).

Medicare Supplement Plan F: The Cadillac of Coverage

What It Covers

Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available — it covers everything Medicare doesn’t, including:

The Part B deductible ($257 in 2026)
Part B excess charges (what doctors can charge above Medicare-approved rates)
All deductibles, coinsurance, and copays

The Catch: Plan F Is Being Phased Out

Plan F is no longer available to people who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 in 2020 or later, you simply cannot enroll in Plan F.

If you enrolled in Plan F before 2020, you can keep it. But be aware: as healthier people leave the pool for G and N, Plan F premiums are rising faster than other plans.

Who Plan F Makes Sense For

People who enrolled before January 1, 2020 and want to keep their current coverage
Individuals with complex health needs who want absolutely zero out-of-pocket exposure
Those who highly value predictability over premium cost

Average monthly premium: $180–$280+ (varies significantly by age, location, and carrier)

Medicare Supplement Plan G: Today’s Gold Standard

What It Covers

Plan G covers everything Plan F covers — except the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026). Once you pay that annual deductible out of pocket, Plan G covers 100% of the remaining Medicare-approved costs.

Why Plan G Has Become the Most Popular Plan

The math is straightforward: Plan G typically costs $20–$50 less per month than Plan F — saving you $240–$600 per year — while the only extra out-of-pocket expense is the Part B deductible ($257/year).

Example:

Plan F premium: $230/month → $2,760/year
Plan G premium: $195/month → $2,340/year + $257 deductible = $2,597/year
Annual savings with Plan G: $163

As Plan F premiums continue to rise due to adverse risk selection, this gap is only widening.

Plan G High-Deductible Option

There’s also a Plan G-HD (High Deductible) variant with a $2,870 deductible in 2026. In exchange, premiums drop to as low as $40–$80/month — an excellent choice for healthy individuals who want catastrophic protection at minimal cost.

Who Plan G Makes Sense For

Anyone newly enrolling in a Medicare Supplement (especially if you became Medicare-eligible after 2020)
People who want near-comprehensive coverage without Plan F’s premium
Those willing to pay one predictable deductible per year ($257) for hundreds in annual savings

Average monthly premium: $130–$220 (varies by age, location, and carrier)

Medicare Supplement Plan N: The Budget-Conscious Choice

What It Covers

Plan N provides solid core coverage but introduces small cost-sharing elements to keep premiums lower:

Covers Part A deductible (100%)
Covers Part B coinsurance — but with copays: up to $20 per office visit, up to $50 per ER visit (waived if admitted)
Does NOT cover Part B excess charges

Understanding Part B Excess Charges

This is the biggest potential risk with Plan N. Doctors who “don’t accept Medicare assignment” can legally charge up to 15% above Medicare’s approved rate — and Plan N leaves you responsible for that gap.

However, most doctors do accept Medicare assignment (about 97% nationwide). In states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont, excess charges are banned entirely.

Who Plan N Makes Sense For

Individuals in states that prohibit excess charges
People who rarely visit the doctor and want lower monthly premiums
Those who understand the copay structure and are comfortable with some cost-sharing
Budget-conscious seniors who want real coverage but at a significantly lower price point

Average monthly premium: $90–$160 (varies by age, location, and carrier)

Side-by-Side Cost Comparison: Real-World Example

Let’s look at a 65-year-old woman in Oregon comparing her annual costs under each plan, assuming 6 doctor visits per year, no excess charges, and no major health events:

	Plan F	Plan G	Plan N
Monthly premium	$230	$195	$130
Annual premium	$2,760	$2,340	$1,560
Part B deductible	$0	$257	$257
Office visit copays (6 visits)	$0	$0	$120
Total annual cost	$2,760	$2,597	$1,937

In this example, Plan N saves her $660/year compared to Plan G — but that gap narrows if she has more doctor visits or encounters excess charges.

The Rate Increase Question

One factor many agents don’t discuss: long-term rate stability.

Plan F tends to see the steepest annual increases because it’s a closed pool (no new enrollees), and older, sicker members drive up costs for everyone
Plan G is currently the most competitive plan — nearly every major carrier is aggressively pricing it to capture new enrollees
Plan N has historically had some of the most stable rates because the built-in cost-sharing discourages overutilization

This doesn’t mean Plan G rates won’t rise — they will. But understanding the pool dynamics helps you make a long-term decision, not just a first-year decision.

What About Medicare Advantage Instead?

Many people compare Medigap plans to Medicare Advantage (Part C), not just to each other.

Medicare Advantage plans often have $0 premiums and extra benefits (dental, vision, hearing), but they come with:

Restricted provider networks (HMO/PPO)
Prior authorization requirements
Annual out-of-pocket maximums of $8,000–$10,000+
Potential difficulty if you travel or move

Medicare Supplement plans let you see ANY doctor who accepts Medicare — nationwide, no referrals, no networks. For people who travel, have specialists they trust, or simply value freedom of access, Medigap is often worth the premium.

How to Choose: A Simple Decision Framework

Choose Plan G if:

You want comprehensive coverage with minimal out-of-pocket risk
You want the widest selection of carriers and the most competitive pricing
You became Medicare-eligible in 2020 or later (F isn’t available to you anyway)

Choose Plan N if:

You’re in generally good health and have few doctor visits
You live in a state that bans excess charges
Keeping monthly premiums low is a priority
You’re comfortable with occasional small copays

Choose Plan F if:

You enrolled before January 1, 2020 and want to maintain zero out-of-pocket exposure
You have complex ongoing health needs
Premium cost is less important than absolute predictability

Consider Plan G-HD if:

You’re in excellent health and primarily want catastrophic protection
You have other assets/savings to cover the deductible if needed
You want the lowest possible monthly premium with real coverage behind it

The Carrier Matters Too

Since all plans of the same letter are federally standardized, the two biggest differentiators between carriers are:

Price — for the same Plan G, premiums can vary by 30-50% between carriers
Rate increase history — some carriers are known for aggressive initial pricing followed by steep annual increases

Working with an independent agent who represents multiple carriers is essential — you want someone who can shop the market for you, not someone who only offers one company’s products.

The Bottom Line

For most people turning 65 today, Plan G is the clear choice — it’s comprehensive, widely available, competitively priced, and gives you the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting doctor in the country.

Plan N is a smart alternative if you’re healthy, budget-conscious, and live in a state that bans excess charges.

Plan F is relevant only if you enrolled before 2020 and want to maintain your existing coverage.

The right plan depends on your health, your state, your budget, and your tolerance for out-of-pocket variability. Getting quotes from multiple carriers — and understanding long-term pricing trends, not just first-year rates — is what separates a smart Medicare decision from an expensive one.

Rodney Cummings is a licensed Medicare specialist serving clients across Oregon and nationwide. As an independent agent, he works with multiple carriers to find the plan that genuinely fits your situation — not just the one that pays the highest commission. Schedule your free Medicare consultation at legacywealthservices.com/contact.

Disclaimer: Medicare Supplement plan availability, benefits, and pricing vary by state and carrier. This article is for educational purposes only. Contact a licensed Medicare specialist in your state for personalized advice.