Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N: Which Medigap Plan Fits Your Budget in 2027?

Choosing between Medicare Supplement Plans G and N comes down to more than the monthly premium. Both can help you manage costs left by Original Medicare, but they handle some Part B expenses differently.

Below, we’ll compare the coverage, explain the trade-offs in everyday terms, and show what to review before you choose. Your budget, providers, health needs and enrollment rights all matter.

Plan G vs. Plan N at a Glance

Both plans work with Original Medicare. They help pay certain costs after Medicare pays its share, but neither covers everything. In particular, neither Plan G nor Plan N pays the Part B deductible.

Benefit	Plan G	Plan N
Part A hospital coinsurance and covered hospital costs, including up to 365 extra days after Medicare benefits are used	Covered	Covered
Part A deductible	Covered	Covered
Part B coinsurance or copayments	Covered after you meet the Part B deductible	Covered, with copays for some services
First 3 pints of blood	Covered	Covered
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments	Covered	Covered
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance	Covered	Covered
Foreign travel emergency care	80%, up to plan limits	80%, up to plan limits
Part B excess charges	Covered	Not covered
Part B deductible	Not covered	Not covered

“Covered” refers to the standardized benefit, subject to Medicare rules and the plan’s terms. See Medicare’s Medigap benefit comparison for the full chart.

The Main Difference: Copays and Excess Charges

Plan N copays

With Plan N, you may pay up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit. The ER copay is waived if you’re admitted to the hospital as an inpatient. These costs are in addition to the Part B deductible, which Plan N does not cover.

If you’re comfortable paying those amounts when you use care, Plan N’s premium may make it worth comparing. Check the policy details and provider billing practices before you decide.

Plan G and Part B excess charges

An excess charge is an amount a provider who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment may legally bill above Medicare’s approved amount, where permitted. Federal rules generally limit this charge to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount.

Plan G covers eligible Part B excess charges; Plan N does not. Medicare describes these as a potential cost when a provider’s charge is higher than the Medicare-approved amount. A relatively small share of providers bills excess charges, but it’s worth asking your providers whether they accept assignment and checking your potential exposure.

Simple takeaway: Plan G offers protection from covered excess charges. Plan N may fit if its premium savings are meaningful to you and you’re prepared for its copays and any applicable excess charges.

Why Plan F Isn’t an Option for Everyone

If you first became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, you generally can’t buy Plan F. Federal rules closed Plan F and other plans that cover the Part B deductible to people newly eligible for Medicare from that date forward.

Plan G and Plan N are options to compare instead. If you became eligible before 2020, availability and eligibility can depend on your circumstances and state. We can help you review what applies to you.

Know Your Medigap Enrollment Protections

Your one-time six-month window

Your federal Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts six months. It starts the first month you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers generally can’t deny you a Medigap policy they sell or use your health history to decide whether to accept your application.

This is a one-time period, not an annual enrollment event. Read Medicare’s guidance on getting ready to buy Medigap and note your dates.

Trial rights when leaving Medicare Advantage

Some people have a Medigap “trial right” when they leave a Medicare Advantage plan. For example, if you joined Medicare Advantage when first eligible at 65 and return to Original Medicare within your first year, you generally have a right to buy certain Medigap coverage. Other trial rights may apply if you dropped Medigap to try Medicare Advantage for the first time.

The policy options and deadlines depend on the situation. Review Medicare’s information about changing a Medigap policy before making a change.

Outside a protected enrollment period or guaranteed-issue situation, medical underwriting may apply in most states. That means an insurer may review your health information and could deny an application or charge more, depending on state law and the policy. Check your state’s rules before you switch or cancel existing coverage.

Compare More Than the Monthly Premium

A lower premium can be appealing, but it’s only one part of what you may spend. To compare Plan G and Plan N for your situation, look at the following:

• Estimate your all-in annual cost: Add the annual plan premium, expected out-of-pocket costs such as Plan N copays, and your Part B premium. You pay the Part B premium regardless of which Medigap plan you choose, but including it helps you budget for Medicare overall.
• Compare household discounts: Ask whether a household or multi-policy discount is available and what rules apply.
• Review rate increase history: Ask how premiums have changed over time. Past changes don’t guarantee future rates, but they can help you ask informed questions.
• Consider carrier stability: Look into an insurer’s history and ability to support policyholders over time.
• Understand the rating method: A community-rated plan generally doesn’t base your premium on your age; an issue-age-rated plan bases it on your age when you buy; and an attained-age-rated plan bases it on your current age. Premiums may also change for other reasons, so ask how the policy is priced and what could affect future costs.

2027 Medicare amounts: CMS has not finalized the 2027 Part B premium or deductible as of October 2026. Any 2027 figures published before CMS announces the official amounts in November should be treated as projections, not confirmed costs. Remember, neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the Part B deductible.

Who Might Prefer Plan G?

Plan G may suit you if you value broader coverage for eligible Part B excess charges and prefer fewer plan copays when you receive care. It can also be worth considering if the premium difference compared with Plan N is modest for the options available to you.

The Part B deductible still applies. Compare actual premiums and policy terms in your area rather than assuming Plan G will always cost more, or that one plan is automatically best for everyone.

Who Might Prefer Plan N?

Plan N may suit you if the premium is lower enough to fit your budget and you’re comfortable with its office and emergency room copays. It’s also important to consider whether your providers accept Medicare assignment and whether you can manage potential excess charges.

A quick way to compare: estimate your annual Plan N premium savings, then weigh them against expected copays and any realistic excess-charge exposure. Your care patterns and comfort with variable costs can help guide the decision.

Get Help Comparing Medicare Supplement Plans

You don’t have to sort through the details alone. Our licensed agents can review your current Medigap policy, help you compare available options and walk you through the trade-offs for your needs. Consultations are free by phone, video or in person, helping clients since 2008.

Tell us about your current coverage and what matters most to you. We’ll help you understand the options without making the process harder than it needs to be. Visit Fidelity Insurance Group, LLC to learn more or request assistance.

Important disclosure: Fidelity Insurance Group, LLC represents 8 Medicare-related organizations offering 52 products in your area. Product availability varies by location and eligibility. We do not offer every plan available in your area. For a complete list of options, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program.