If you are shopping for a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy, two plan letters dominate the conversation: Plan G and Plan N. There is a reason for that. Plans C and F closed to anyone first eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020 — which makes Plan G the most comprehensive standardized plan available to newer beneficiaries, and Plan N the main lower-premium standardized alternative. The two plans share most of their benefits; the differences come down to two cost-sharing features. Here is how they compare in 2026.
The Short Answer
Plan G and Plan N cover almost the same benefits. Both generally pay the large, unpredictable costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. Plan N differs in exactly two ways: it uses modest copays for office and emergency room visits, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. In exchange, Plan N premiums typically run about $25 to $60 per month less than Plan G, based on market data — though actual premiums vary widely by state, age, carrier, and rating method.
Neither plan is inherently "right." Plan G may be a good fit if you prefer more predictable cost-sharing, while Plan N may be a good fit if you would rather trade small copays for a lower monthly premium. If you are new to Medigap entirely, start with our full guide to Medicare Supplement insurance.
What Both Plans Cover
Because Medigap plans are federally standardized, every Plan G has identical benefits, and the same goes for Plan N. Both plans generally cover:
- The Part A hospital deductible — $1,736 per benefit period in 2026
- Part A coinsurance for extended hospital stays, plus additional hospital days after Medicare benefits are used up
- The 20% Part B coinsurance on doctor visits, outpatient care, and other Part B services
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance — $217 per day for days 21–100 in 2026
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- 80% of foreign travel emergency costs, after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum
One shared gap: neither plan covers the $283 Part B deductible (2026) — plans sold to people newly eligible for Medicare have not been allowed to cover it since 2020. For a full picture of the amounts these plans are filling in, see our guide to Medicare costs for 2026.
Difference #1: Plan N's Copays
Where Plan G pays the full 20% Part B coinsurance, Plan N asks you to pay a small, capped amount for certain visits:
- Up to $20 per office visit
- Up to $50 per emergency room visit — waived if you are admitted to the hospital as an inpatient
These copays apply only to visits with an office-visit component — services such as lab work and X-rays generally carry no Plan N copay. If the mechanics of copays versus percentage-based coinsurance are new to you, see our guide to copays vs. coinsurance.
The practical question is how often you visit the doctor. Frequent specialist appointments may mean several hundred dollars a year in Plan N copays; a few visits a year may add up to far less than the premium difference.
Difference #2: Part B Excess Charges
The second difference is narrower. A small number of doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment may bill up to roughly 9.25% above the participating provider rate — a Part B excess charge. Plan G covers excess charges; Plan N does not.
In practice, excess charges are uncommon — the vast majority of Medicare claims are paid on assignment — and eight states ban them (CT, MA, MN, NY, OH, PA, RI, VT), based on where care is received. In those states, Plan N's excess-charge gap is effectively eliminated. Our guide to Medicare assignment and Part B excess charges covers how these charges work and how to check a provider's status.
The Typical Premium Difference
Premiums are where the trade-off becomes concrete. Based on market data, Plan N typically costs about $25 to $60 per month less than Plan G for the same person in the same area. These are typical market figures, not fixed or regulated amounts — actual premiums depend on your state, age, carrier, and how the policy is rated; our guide to how Medigap premiums are priced explains why the rating method can matter as much as the starting price.
A simple way to frame the math: if Plan N saves you $40 per month, that is $480 per year to weigh against your expected copays and any excess-charge exposure. Our article on whether Medigap is worth the cost walks through that comparison in more depth.
A Third Option: High-Deductible Plan G
If you want Plan G's benefit structure at a lower premium and can handle more upfront cost-sharing, High-Deductible Plan G is worth knowing about. In 2026, you pay Medicare's cost-sharing yourself until you reach the $2,950 deductible (per CMS, up from $2,870 in 2025), after which the plan generally pays 100% of covered cost-sharing. Unlike High-Deductible Plan F, it is available to all Medigap-eligible beneficiaries, including those newly eligible after 2020.
Switching Later Isn't Guaranteed
One caution: switching Medigap plans later generally involves medical underwriting — a carrier may charge more or decline coverage based on your health — unless you have a guaranteed issue right or live in a state with special rules such as a birthday rule. Our guide to guaranteed issue rights explains when you can buy or switch without underwriting. The choice between G and N deserves real thought upfront.
How to Get Help and Learn More
These official resources can help you compare plans and get quotes for your area:
- Medicare.gov — Compare standardized Medigap benefits and find policies in your area at medicare.gov/medigap-supplemental-insurance-plans.
- 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) — Medicare's official helpline can answer Medigap questions. TTY users can call 1-877-486-2048.
- State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) — SHIP offers free, unbiased counseling and can help you compare Plan G and Plan N pricing in your state. Find your local program at shiphelp.org or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE.
Summary and Next Steps
Plan G and Plan N cover most of the same ground, and the decision generally comes down to how you prefer to pay. Key points to remember:
- Both cover the $1,736 Part A deductible (2026), hospital and SNF coinsurance, the 20% Part B coinsurance, hospice coinsurance, and 80% of foreign travel emergencies
- Neither covers the $283 Part B deductible — plans sold to newly eligible beneficiaries cannot
- Plan N adds copays: up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits (waived if admitted)
- Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges — though eight states ban those charges where care is received
- Plan N premiums typically run about $25–$60/month less than Plan G, per market data
- High-Deductible Plan G offers a lower premium with a $2,950 deductible in 2026
- Switching later may require medical underwriting, so weigh the choice carefully now
A good next step: gather quotes for both plans in your ZIP code and estimate a year of typical doctor visits under each. If you would like a second opinion on the numbers, your local SHIP counselor can walk through them with you for free.
