A Full Comparison of Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N

Medigap Plan G and Plan N are two popular Medicare Supplement (also called Medigap) plans. Medigap plans are intended to supplement your Original Medicare coverage by filling in coverage gaps.

How do you choose which plan is right for you? Let’s look at how coverage, cost, and benefits compare between Plan G and N.

Plan G vs. Plan N

The differences between Plan G and Plan N are very minimal. Plan N has slightly fewer benefits, so its premium is also a little lower than Plan G.

*Plan N pays 100% of the Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to a $5O copayment for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.

Plan G is the most popular plan we sell – most of our clients prefer being free of copays and never worrying about excess charges, even though they’re rare.

However, if you’d rather enjoy a slightly lower premium, Plan N may be your best buy! Keep reading for a more detailed look at each plan type.

Plan G Coverage

Plan G is one of the most robust coverage options on the Medigap market.  

Plan G covers:  

• Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are up  
• Part B coinsurance or copayment
• First three pints of blood  
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
• Part A deductible  
• Part B excess charges  
• 80% coverage on international care during travel (up to plan limits)

On Medigap Plan G, your only out-of-pocket cost is your Part B deductible, which is $203 in 2021.  

Keep in mind that any expenses Medicare doesn’t cover are still your responsibility. That includes things like dental, vision, and hearing care.

Plan N Coverage

Plan N offers all of the same important benefits as Plan G, but it does have two minor differences:

1. Copayments for doctor visits (up to $20) and ER visits (up to $50)  

2. Part B excess charges

On Plan N, you are also responsible for your Part B deductible, just like on Plan G.  

Plan N’s Excess Charges, Explained

Copayments with Plan N are pretty self-explanatory, but the more unique – and possibly confusing – component is the mention of excess charges.

Part B excess charges are very rare, and you’ll only come across it if you see a doctor who doesn’t accept Medicare. To avoid excess charges altogether, just ask your doctors or physicians if they accept Medicare before scheduling an appointment.

However, if you do get into an excess charge situation, here’s how it works. In most states, non-participating providers are allowed to charge 15% more than the Medicare-approved rates.  

For example, if Medicare says they’ll reimburse an office visit at $100, that doctor could bill you for another $15. That $15 is called an excess charge.

Aetna reported that 99.34% of the claims they processed in 2016 had no excess charge. And the few that did? The out-of-pocket cost to the policyholder was, on average, less than $20.

So, while it’s good to understand excess charges if you choose a Plan N, it’s not something our team is too concerned about, and it doesn’t prevent us from recommending Plan N.

Plan G vs. Plan N Costs

Plan G covers everything except for your Part B deductible, you would be responsible for that payment. The Part B deductible for 2021 is $203. Once you meet your deductible, all Medicare-approved services are covered.

Plan N requires the copayments for doctors and emergency room visits, and you also will be responsible for your deductible ($203). Additionally, you would be responsible for excess charges if they occurred.

Every Medigap plan has standardized benefits, so you can have some peace of mind that a Plan G is a Plan G, regardless of which company you purchase it from.

While the benefits are the same, the premiums can vary, so be sure to ask us for a quote. We are a broker, meaning we represent nearly all Medicare Supplement carriers on the market. We’ll run a quote and let you know which company is offering the most competitive rate in your county.

Which plan is better?  

Both plans get a solid five stars from the Medicare Allies team.  

If you love a great value and want to make sure you are completely covered, Plan G is a great option. On the other hand, if you are on a tight budget but still want substantial coverage, Plan N could be right for you.

Just give us a call at 833-801-7999 and we can talk you through the options in your county.

Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G?  

Whether you would like to switch from Plan G to Plan N or vice versa, you will likely have to pass medical underwriting in order to be accepted.  

Medical underwriting is a series of health questions you need to answer for your application to be accepted.

Certain companies have easier-to-meet standards than others, so if you have health issues, talk to your agent to learn which company would be best for you.  

Conclusion

In sum, Plan G is the most popular plan we sell. Most of our clients prefer being free of copays and never worrying about excess charges, even though they’re rare.

However, if you’d rather enjoy a slightly lower premium, Plan N may be your best buy.

Remember that our team of dedicated, licensed agents is here for you. Call us for quotes on plan options and expert recommendations to find the best plan for your needs and budget.