Medigap Plan G vs Plan N: Costs and Tradeoffs in 2026
Plan G and Plan N are the two Medigap plans most new Medicare enrollees actually choose between. Both are strong. The difference comes down to one question: do you want to pay more every month for near-zero surprises, or pay less every month and accept some small, predictable costs at the point of care?
This guide focuses on that single decision. If you are also weighing Plan F, see our broader Plan G vs. N vs. F guide. If you are still deciding between Medigap and Advantage, start with Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage.
The Short Version
- Plan G covers everything Medicare Part A and B leave behind except the annual Part B deductible. After that deductible, your Medicare-approved costs are essentially covered.
- Plan N costs less per month, but you pay up to $20 for some office visits, up to $50 for some emergency room visits, and any Part B excess charges.
- Benefits are standardized by plan letter, so a Plan G from one carrier covers the same things as a Plan G from another. Only the premium and the carrier’s service differ.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered, except copays below |
| Part B deductible (2026: $283) | You pay | You pay |
| Office visit copay | $0 | Up to $20 |
| Emergency room copay | $0 | Up to $50 (waived if admitted) |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered (plan limits apply) | Covered (plan limits apply) |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Typically lower |
| Out-of-pocket predictability | Highest | High, but variable |
Confirm the current Part B deductible and premium figures at Medicare.gov, since these are set by CMS each year.
What Plan N Actually Costs You
The savings on Plan N are real, but so are the trade-offs. Three costs can show up:
- Office visit copays. Up to $20 per visit for primary care or specialists.
- ER copays. Up to $50, waived if you are admitted to the hospital.
- Excess charges. A provider who does not accept Medicare assignment may bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers this. Plan N does not. Most providers accept assignment, which is why this is a smaller risk than it sounds, but it is worth asking about your own doctors.
The Break-Even Math
Here is a simple way to test it. Take the monthly premium difference between the two plans (get a real quote for your age and ZIP), multiply by 12, and compare it with your likely annual copays.
Illustration only: if Plan N is $40 per month cheaper, that is $480 per year. If you see a doctor 8 times and have one ER visit, copays could be about $210. Plan N comes out ahead by roughly $270. If you have a chronic condition and make 20 visits a year, copays reach $400 or more and the gap narrows quickly.
Two points to remember:
- The premium gap is not fixed. It varies by carrier, age, and rating method.
- Plan N’s advantage tends to be strongest in the first years. Premiums rise with age on most plans, so re-run the comparison periodically.
Who Tends to Fit Plan G
- You have ongoing conditions or expect frequent specialist visits
- You value knowing your annual cost almost to the dollar
- You travel or see providers in different areas and want excess-charge protection
- You would rather pay a higher premium than think about copays
Who Tends to Fit Plan N
- You are generally healthy and visit the doctor a few times a year
- You want the lowest premium among full-coverage Medigap options
- You are comfortable with small copays and modest variability
- Your doctors accept Medicare assignment
The Switching Question
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the 6 months starting when you are 65 and enrolled in Part B. During it, carriers cannot deny you or charge more for health conditions. After it, moving between plans in many situations can require medical underwriting. That is an argument for choosing carefully the first time, and against assuming you can easily switch from N to G later if your health changes. Some states, including Oregon, offer additional switching rules, so ask before assuming either way.
Choosing a Carrier Matters as Much as Choosing a Letter
Because benefits are identical, the same plan letter can carry very different prices across carriers. Ask how each carrier prices increases over time, since attained-age, issue-age, and community-rated pricing behave differently over a decade. An independent agent can compare carriers side by side at no cost to you, because carriers pay the commission and your premium is the same either way.
Get a Side-by-Side Quote
Rodney Cummings and the Legacy Wealth Services team compare Plan G and Plan N across multiple carriers for your age, ZIP and health situation, so you can see the real monthly gap rather than an average. Learn more on our Medicare page, or schedule a free consultation to run the numbers for your situation.
This content is educational and not a substitute for personalized advice. Plan availability, premiums and rules vary by state and carrier. Legacy Wealth Services is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program.