Medigap Plan G and Plan N cover almost the same Medicare costs. Plan G also pays Part B excess charges and has no visit copays. Plan N usually has the lower premium but charges up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit without admission. Neither pays the Part B deductible.
What Plan G and Plan N both pay
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs after your Medicare hospital benefits are used up
- The Part A deductible
- Part B coinsurance (Plan N with the copays below)
- The first three pints of blood
- Hospice care coinsurance and skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Emergency care while traveling outside the United States, within the plan's limits
Where they differ
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Office visits | No copay once the Part B deductible is met | Copay of up to $20 for some visits |
| Emergency room | No copay | Copay of up to $50 if you are not admitted to the hospital |
| Part B excess charges | Paid | Not paid |
| Monthly premium | Usually higher | Usually lower |
Part B excess charges only come up when a provider does not accept Medicare assignment. Ask your doctors whether they do before you weigh this row.
What neither plan pays
Neither plan pays the yearly Part B deductible. Neither covers prescription drugs, which need a separate Part D plan. Dental, vision, hearing, and long-term care are not part of a Medigap plan either.
A simple way to compare the two
Take the number of office visits you expect in a year and multiply by $20. Add $50 if you have had an emergency room visit without admission. Then compare that total with the premium difference between Plan G and Plan N for the full year. If the copays come to less than the premium gap, Plan N has cost less. If you see doctors often, the math can flip.
Plan C and Plan F are not available to everyone. People who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 cannot buy them, which is why Plan G is the most comprehensive plan many new enrollees can pick.
California's birthday rule
If you already have a Medigap policy, California gives you a 60-day window after your birthday each year to buy a different policy without medical screening or a new waiting period. The new policy must have the same or lesser benefits as your current one, according to the California Department of Insurance.
In practice, that means you can move from Plan G to Plan N, or from one insurer's Plan G to another's, but not from Plan N up to Plan G. Rates for the same plan letter differ between insurers, so the birthday window is a chance to shop for a lower price without health questions.
How Luis helps with Plan G and Plan N
Luis Alvarenga compares Plan G, Plan N, and high-deductible options from the carriers he offers in California, Arizona, and Nevada, using your doctor visits from the past year. Ask about the timing of your birthday window so you do not miss it. See the Medicare Supplement page for details.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plan G better than Plan N?
Neither is better in general. Plan G costs more each month and has no visit copays. Plan N costs less each month but charges copays and does not pay Part B excess charges.
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N in California?
Yes, if you already have Medigap. The birthday rule gives you 60 days after your birthday to switch to a policy with the same or lesser benefits without health questions.
Does Plan N cover the Part B deductible?
No. Neither Plan G nor Plan N pays the Part B deductible.
Does Plan G or Plan N include drug coverage?
No. You add a standalone Part D plan.