What Is the Difference Between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?

Medigap plans are federally standardized, so every Plan G has the same benefits as every other Plan G, and the same goes for Plan N. The only real difference between companies selling the same letter is price and service. Both G and N pay the Part A hospital deductible, which is $1,736 per benefit period in 2026, along with the $434 daily hospital coinsurance for days 61 through 90 and the $217 daily skilled nursing coinsurance for days 21 through 100.

Both plans also leave the annual Part B deductible to you, which is $283 in 2026. Once that deductible is met, Plan G pays the 20 percent Part B coinsurance in full. Plan N pays it too, except for the copays described below.

Plan N asks you to share small, predictable costs. You can pay up to $20 for an office visit and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not lead to an inpatient admission. In exchange, Plan N premiums generally run lower than Plan G premiums for the same person in the same area.

The second difference is Part B excess charges. Some doctors do not accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment and are allowed to bill a limited amount above it. Plan G covers those excess charges and Plan N does not. Most doctors accept Medicare assignment, so many Plan N members never see an excess charge, but it is worth asking your own doctors before you choose.

Plan F covers everything Plan G covers plus the Part B deductible itself, but it is closed to newcomers. Only people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can still buy it. High Deductible Plan G is the budget version of G: you pay a much lower premium but cover your own costs until you meet a $2,950 annual deductible in 2026.

One caveat applies to any choice you make. Outside your one-time Medigap open enrollment window, switching letters later usually requires medical underwriting, so it pays to pick the plan you can live with for the long run rather than the cheapest one this year.