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Medicare Supplement Plan N: Benefits, Copays & Costs
Plan N can offer a lower monthly premium than standard Plan G in exchange for certain copays and potential Part B excess charges. Understand the tradeoffs before comparing quotes.
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How Medicare Supplement Plan N works
Plan N is a standardized Medigap policy that helps pay certain costs left by Original Medicare Parts A and B. It is not Medicare Advantage and is not a separate Medicare “Part N.”
Its core benefits are standardized across insurers, but premiums and underwriting can differ. Medicare Universe helps people in Arizona, New Mexico, and California compare available policies and decide whether the premium difference fits their budget.
What does Plan N cover?
On a phone, swipe the table to see every column.
| Benefit | What Plan N pays |
|---|---|
| Hospital costs | Part A coinsurance and up to 365 additional hospital days after Medicare hospital benefits are used up. |
| Part A deductible | The deductible for Medicare-covered inpatient care. |
| Part B coinsurance | Generally covered after the Part B deductible, except the office and emergency room copays explained below. |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Covered when Medicare’s skilled nursing facility requirements and coverage limits are met. |
| 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 expenses, subject to a separate deductible, lifetime limit, and policy restrictions. |
Plan N does not turn a service that Medicare excludes into a covered service. It generally does not include routine dental, routine vision, hearing aids, or custodial long-term care. Medigap policies sold today do not include Part D.
Plan N copays and excess charges explained
Some office visits: up to $20
After the Part B deductible, Plan N may leave a copay of up to $20 for some office visits. This is a maximum for the applicable copay, not a statement that every appointment or covered service costs $20.
Emergency room: up to $50
Plan N may leave a copay of up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not result in inpatient admission. That copay is waived if you are admitted as an inpatient. Other applicable costs, including an unmet Part B deductible, can remain.
What are Part B excess charges?
Some providers who do not accept Medicare assignment may charge more than Medicare’s approved amount when allowed by law. Plan N does not cover these excess charges. Many physicians accept assignment; ask your provider’s billing office rather than assuming.
Assignment means accepting Medicare’s approved amount as full payment for a covered service, apart from applicable deductibles and coinsurance. State rules can also affect excess charges.
Plan N vs. Plan G: compare the complete budget
On a phone, swipe the table to see every column.
| Cost or feature | Plan N | Standard Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay |
| Specified office / ER copays | Up to $20 / up to $50, subject to the rules above | No Plan N-style copays |
| Part B excess charges | You pay if applicable | Covered |
| Monthly premium | Often lower; obtain an actual quote | Often higher; obtain an actual quote |
| Doctors and hospitals | Generally providers nationwide who accept Medicare and agree to treat you | Generally providers nationwide who accept Medicare and agree to treat you |
Medicare SELECT versions may have network requirements. Premiums, discounts, rate changes, and underwriting still deserve review even when benefits are standardized.
A hypothetical premium-savings example
Suppose Plan N costs $35 less per month than Plan G. That is $420 less in annual premiums. If you have eight visits with the full $20 copay, those copays total $160, leaving a $260 difference in this limited example.
These are made-up premium differences, not quotes or predicted savings. The example holds the Part B deductible equal and excludes ER copays, excess charges, other healthcare expenses, and future rate changes.
Plan N may appeal to someone comfortable with variable visit costs. Standard Plan G may appeal to someone who prefers fewer cost-sharing variables. Compare standard and High Deductible Plan G , then evaluate actual premiums and your ability to manage out-of-pocket expenses.
Plan N costs and enrollment
A Plan N premium depends on your location, insurer, age and other factors permitted by state law, discounts, and pricing method. It can increase over time. Include the Part B premium and any Part D drug plan in your budget.
The federal six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you are 65 or older and have Part B. During this window, health status cannot be used to deny an available policy or charge more. Certain pre-existing-condition waiting periods may still apply.
Outside this window, medical underwriting may apply unless you have guaranteed issue rights or another protection. State rules provide additional rights in some situations. Turning 65, leaving employer coverage, and changing an existing supplement can involve different rules; review your specific circumstances before applying.
The October 15–December 7 Medicare enrollment season does not automatically give everyone a right to switch Medigap without underwriting. Confirm acceptance and start dates before ending existing coverage.
Plan N questions
Does Plan N cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. You pay the annual Part B deductible for services to which it applies. Standard Plan G also leaves that deductible to you.
Does every doctor visit have a $20 copay?
No. Plan N uses a copay of up to $20 for some office visits. The amount and whether it applies depend on the service and claim. Ask about the specific visit if you are unsure.
Does Plan N require an HMO network?
A standard Medigap policy generally works with providers nationwide who accept Medicare and agree to treat you. Confirm that the provider accepts new patients. Medicare SELECT policies are an exception and can require network use for full benefits.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
You can apply, but acceptance is not guaranteed in every situation. Medical underwriting may apply unless a protected enrollment right is available. Do not choose Plan N on the assumption that a later switch will be automatic.
Where can I compare all Medicare Supplement plans?
Visit our Medicare Supplement overview and full comparison chart for the standardized plan letters. For a medical-and-drug coverage alternative, review Medicare Advantage.
See whether Plan N fits your budget
Request a review with Scott Lavit to compare available Medicare Supplement coverage in Arizona, New Mexico, or California. Start with the premium difference, then look at copays, doctors, drug coverage, and enrollment rights.
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.