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Medicare Supplement Plan G: Coverage, Costs & Options
Learn what Plan G pays, what remains your responsibility, and how standard Plan G compares with High Deductible Plan G and Plan N.
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What is Medicare Supplement Plan G?
Plan G is a Medicare Supplement Insurance policy, also called Medigap. It works with Original Medicare Parts A and B to help pay specified deductibles and coinsurance. It is different from Medicare Advantage and is not a Medicare “Part G.”
The core benefits of a standardized Plan G policy are the same across insurers. Premiums, discounts, underwriting practices, and service can differ. Arizona, New Mexico, and California use the standard lettered Medigap plans; availability varies by insurer and location.
What does Plan G cover?
On a phone, swipe the table to see every column.
| Benefit | What Plan G pays |
|---|---|
| Part A hospital costs | Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are used up. |
| Part A deductible | The Medicare Part A deductible for covered inpatient care. |
| Part B coinsurance | Generally the Part B coinsurance or copayment after you satisfy the Part B deductible. |
| Part B excess charges | Covered Part B excess charges when a provider is allowed to charge more than Medicare’s approved amount. |
| Skilled nursing facility care | The coinsurance for Medicare-covered skilled nursing facility care. Medicare’s eligibility and coverage limits still apply. |
| Hospice and blood | Part A hospice coinsurance or copayments and the first three pints of blood under the standardized benefit. |
| Foreign travel emergencies | 80% of eligible foreign travel emergency expenses, subject to the policy’s separate deductible, lifetime limit, and other restrictions. |
Medigap supplements Medicare’s coverage rules; it does not make every treatment or hospital stay payable. See the full Medicare Supplement comparison chart for other plan letters.
What Plan G does not cover
Budget separately for the Part B deductible, your Part B premium, and your Medigap premium. Policies sold today do not include Part D prescription drug coverage. Routine dental care, routine vision care, hearing aids, and custodial long-term care generally are not standard Plan G benefits.
For outpatient prescriptions, review a separate Part D plan. Some clinician-administered drugs fall under Part B and are treated differently from pharmacy prescriptions.
A simple Part B example
Assume you have already met the annual Part B deductible and receive a covered service with a $1,000 Medicare-approved amount. If Medicare pays 80% ($800), standard Plan G generally pays the remaining 20% ($200). This example excludes premiums, noncovered services, and other policy limitations.
How much does Medicare Plan G cost?
There is no single Plan G price. Your premium depends on your ZIP code, insurer, age and other factors allowed by state law, available discounts, and the company’s pricing method. A quote for a neighbor may not apply to you.
- Compare equivalent policies: Standard Plan G and High Deductible Plan G have different upfront cost exposure.
- Review how rates are set: Ask about community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated pricing, where available.
- Look beyond the first premium: Ask about past rate changes and discount conditions. Past changes do not predict future premiums.
- Include the complete budget: Add Part B, the supplement, any Part D premium, and expected expenses for services outside coverage.
Medigap premiums can increase. The lowest starting rate is one factor in a longer-term decision, not a promise of the lowest lifetime cost.
Plan G vs. Plan N vs. High Deductible Plan G
On a phone, swipe the table to see every column.
| Feature | Standard Plan G | Plan N | High Deductible Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay | You pay; it counts toward the high deductible |
| Part B coinsurance after applicable deductibles | Generally covered | Covered except specified office and ER copays | G benefits begin after the annual high deductible |
| Office / emergency room copays | No Plan N-style copays | Up to $20 for some office visits; up to $50 for an ER visit without inpatient admission | Eligible cost sharing applies before the high deductible |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered | Covered after the high deductible |
| Typical premium tradeoff | Often a higher premium than N or high deductible G | Often lower than standard G | Often lower, with more costs paid upfront |
High Deductible Plan G requires you to pay eligible Medicare-covered cost sharing up to a separate annual threshold before the policy begins paying G benefits. Premiums do not count toward that threshold. Confirm the current amount and policy details before choosing it.
Read the Plan N guide for its copays, excess-charge exposure, and a premium-savings example. Premium relationships vary; compare actual quotes.
When can you buy Plan G?
Your federal six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins the first month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny an available Medigap policy or charge more because of your health. Certain pre-existing-condition waiting periods may still apply.
Outside a protected enrollment period, an insurer may use medical underwriting, which can affect acceptance or price. Guaranteed issue rights and additional state protections may apply. The fall Medicare Open Enrollment Period does not automatically create a right to switch Medigap policies without underwriting.
If you are leaving employer coverage, check when your Part B coverage and Medigap window begin. If you are under 65, Medigap purchase rights vary by state. Do not cancel existing coverage until acceptance and effective dates are confirmed.
Plan G questions
Can I keep my doctors with Plan G?
With a standard Medigap policy, you can generally use providers nationwide who accept Medicare and agree to treat you. Confirm that a provider accepts new patients. Medicare SELECT policies can have network requirements for full benefits.
Does Plan G cover all medical costs?
No. It covers the standardized benefits listed above. The Part B deductible, premiums, noncovered services, and policy limits still matter. High Deductible Plan G has additional upfront cost sharing.
Can I have Plan G and Medicare Advantage together?
Medigap is designed to work with Original Medicare, not Medicare Advantage. If you want to leave Medicare Advantage, coordinate the enrollment opportunity and Medigap eligibility before changing coverage.
Is Plan G better than Plan N?
It depends on the actual premium difference, your comfort with Plan N copays and possible excess charges, and underwriting eligibility. Neither option is automatically the right choice for everyone.
Compare Plan G options with local guidance
Scott Lavit helps people in Arizona, New Mexico, and California understand Medicare Supplement choices, prescription coverage, and enrollment timing. Request a review based on your location and coverage needs.
Request a personalized plan reviewMedicare Universe is a non-government entity and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or the U.S. government. Licensed in Arizona, New Mexico, and California.
Official resources
Information checked November 8, 2026. Benefits, costs, availability, and enrollment rights can change. Policy and plan documents govern coverage.