Health & Medicare
Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N Comparison
Premium data from MedicareSupplement.com, cross-confirmed against KFF policyholder data; Plan N cost-sharing rules from CMS's standardized plan letters as reported by U.S. News.
Plan N is cheaper every month. Whether it is actually cheaper overall depends on something a premium comparison alone cannot tell you: how often you actually go to the doctor.
Data sourced from MedicareSupplement.com, KFF
The real difference: copays, not benefits
Plan G and Plan N cover the same major Medicare Supplement benefits, the meaningful difference is how each handles Part B cost-sharing specifically. Plan G covers Part B coinsurance in full once you meet the Part B deductible, effectively first-dollar coverage from that point forward.
Plan N instead requires small, fixed copays, typically up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not result in admission, rather than covering those costs completely.
This copay structure, set nationally by CMS's standardized Medigap plan letters, not by individual insurers or states, is the entire practical distinction between the two plans.
The premium gap: real, but not enormous
Plan N averages about $150 a month nationally, compared to about $180 for Plan G, a savings of roughly $30 a month, or about $360 a year, according to MedicareSupplement.com.
Both figures vary meaningfully by state and insurer, MedicareSupplement.com's own published ranges span $125 to $290 for Plan G and $95 to $220 for Plan N, so your own specific quotes may differ meaningfully from the national averages.
To compare your own estimated cost for Plan G, Plan N, and Plan F together, the Medigap plan comparison calculator runs all three side by side.
What both plans still leave you paying
Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Part B deductible itself, $283 in 2026, that amount comes out of pocket under either plan before its own cost-sharing coverage begins. This is a fixed amount set annually by CMS, not something either plan's design changes.
Deciding between the two ultimately comes down to expected utilization: if your realistic annual Plan N copays would total less than the premium savings compared to Plan G, Plan N wins financially.
Someone with frequent office visits or predictable regular care may find Plan G's more complete coverage evens out or beats Plan N in a higher-utilization year, despite its higher sticker premium.
Frequently asked questions
What is the actual coverage difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G covers Medicare Part B cost-sharing (coinsurance) in full once you meet the Part B deductible. Plan N requires small copays, typically up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in admission, rather than covering those costs in full.
Both plans cover the same major benefits otherwise, this copay structure is the main practical difference.
How much cheaper is Plan N than Plan G?
About $30 a month on average, according to MedicareSupplement.com, roughly $360 a year. Plan G averages about $180/month nationally, while Plan N averages about $150/month, though both vary meaningfully by state and insurer, MedicareSupplement.com's own ranges span $125 to $290 for Plan G and $95 to $220 for Plan N.
Does the Part B deductible apply to either plan?
Yes, to both. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Part B deductible itself, $283 in 2026, you pay that out of pocket regardless of which plan you choose, before either plan's own cost-sharing coverage kicks in.
Which plan actually makes more sense financially?
It depends on how often you expect to use office visits and ER care. If your annual copays under Plan N would total less than the premium savings versus Plan G, Plan N comes out ahead financially.
Someone who visits doctors frequently or has predictable, regular ER-adjacent care needs may find Plan G's first-dollar-style coverage more predictable and, in a higher-utilization year, cheaper overall despite the higher premium.