Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan N is one of the most common comparisons retirees make when deciding how to reduce out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare does not cover. Both are popular Medigap options that help with deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. The right choice comes down to how often you use care, whether you want to avoid surprise bills, and how much you’re willing to pay in monthly premiums.

How Medicare Supplement Plans Work

Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) provides important hospital and medical coverage, but it leaves you responsible for deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and certain excess charges. Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policies are offered by private insurers to help pay those “gaps.” You stay on Original Medicare, and your Medigap plan steps in after Medicare pays its share.

Plans are standardized by letter (such as Plan G and Plan N), which means a Plan G from one company must offer the same core benefits as Plan G from another. The difference is usually price, underwriting, and service. That’s where working with an independent agency like Diversified Insurance Brokers can help you compare options in your state.

What Medicare Supplement Plan G Covers

Plan G is often considered the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to people new to Medicare. Once you pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible, Plan G typically covers almost all remaining Medicare-approved costs:

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
• Additional 365 hospital days after Medicare benefits are used up
• Part B coinsurance and copays (including most office and specialist visits)
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copay
• Part A deductible
• First three pints of blood
• Part B excess charges (when allowed in your state)

With Plan G, your primary out-of-pocket exposure is the annual Part B deductible. After that, many retirees experience very few surprise medical bills, which makes budgeting much easier.

What Medicare Supplement Plan N Covers

Plan N offers strong protection too, but it trades slightly less coverage for lower monthly premiums. Plan N generally covers:

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
• Up to 365 extra hospital days after Medicare benefits end
• Part B coinsurance, except for small copays at some office and ER visits
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copay
• Part A deductible
• First three pints of blood

With Plan N, you still pay the Part B deductible yourself. In addition, some visits may have small copays (for example, many Plan N designs allow up to a modest copay for primary or specialist visits, and a slightly higher copay for ER visits that do not result in admission). Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges if a provider bills above the Medicare-approved amount.

Plan G vs Plan N: Side-by-Side Comparison

Which Plan Is Right for You?

There is no one “best” plan for every retiree. The right choice depends on how you use care and how you feel about monthly premiums versus occasional copays.

• Plan G may fit better if: you see doctors frequently, visit multiple specialists, or simply want to eliminate most surprise bills. Many retirees like Plan G because once the Part B deductible is met, there are very few additional medical costs for Medicare-approved services.
• Plan N may fit better if: you are generally healthy, have only a few visits per year, and prefer to trade lower monthly premiums for small copays when you do need care. You should also be comfortable confirming that your main doctors accept Medicare assignment so excess charges are less likely.

Some people also compare both Medigap plans to Medicare Advantage options. If you are evaluating all three paths, you may find our resources on Medicare plans with dental and vision coverage and low-cost Medicare plans for retirees helpful as part of the bigger picture.

Other Factors to Consider

• Healthcare usage: If you expect multiple appointments, therapies, or specialist visits each year, the extra protection in Plan G can be worth the higher premium. If you mostly go for annual checkups, Plan N’s lower premiums may win.
• Budget style: Some retirees prefer to pay more each month and almost nothing at the point of service. Others prefer lower monthly cost and don’t mind a small copay when they actually use care.
• Provider network habits: If you see doctors who consistently accept Medicare assignment, excess charges are less of a concern. If you travel frequently or see specialists who might bill above the Medicare-approved amount, the extra protection in Plan G may feel more comfortable.
• Future flexibility: In many states, medical underwriting is required if you switch Medigap plans later. Choosing carefully up front can help you avoid health-based hurdles in the future.

If you are still working past 65, you may also want to review how Medigap fits with employer coverage and timing rules. Our guide to Medicare enrollment for people still working can help you avoid gaps or penalties.

Using the Medicare Plan Comparison Tool

Comparing Medigap premiums and benefits by hand can be time-consuming. Instead, you can use our Medicare comparison tool to see plans, premiums, and benefits in your area side by side. It’s an easy way to visualize the difference between Plan G, Plan N, and other options before you enroll.

Need Help Deciding Between Plan G and Plan N?

Medicare is a core part of your retirement plan, and the wrong fit can leave you with higher costs than necessary. The team at Diversified Insurance Brokers compares plans from multiple carriers, checks your doctors and prescriptions, and helps you decide whether Plan G, Plan N, or another strategy fits best.