What Is Medigap Plan G? What You Need to Know

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Medigap Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plan available to any Medicare member. Medicare Supplement Plan G covers certain expenses such as coinsurance, copayments and deductibles that aren't covered under Medicare Part A and Part B, also known as Original Medicare.

Medicare Supplement Plan G offers a lot of coverage, but it’s also one of the more expensive options.

Here’s what you need to know to decide whether Plan G is right for you.

» MORE: Best Medicare Supplement Insurance companies

🤓Nerdy Tip

Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan G is often called Medigap Plan G. You might also see it referred to as "Medicare Plan G" or even "Medicare Part G," even though those labels aren't quite accurate.

Still deciding on the right carrier? Compare Medigap plans

What is Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G covers “gaps” in Medicare coverage: the out-of-pocket costs left over after Medicare pays its portion of the bill. Plan G covers more of these costs than any other Medicare Supplement Insurance plan available to new Medicare members.

There are 10 standardized, letter-named Medigap plans in most states (except Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin, which have their own standards). The plans differ in terms of what they cover, out-of-pocket limits and premiums.

Plan G is essentially a replacement for Plan F for new Medicare members. Plan F and Plan C aren’t available for sale to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after Jan. 1, 2020, and to some people under age 65 (some exceptions apply).

Medigap insurance is available only to Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Part A and Part B; it can’t be sold to Medicare Advantage members (unless they’re switching back to Original Medicare).

» MORE: Best Medicare Supplement Plan G companies

Medicare Supplement Plan G pros and cons

Medigap Plan G has pros and cons:

Pros

Maximum coverage: Plan G covers the most benefits out of the Medigap plans available to new Medicare beneficiaries.

Wide availability: Almost every insurance company selling Medicare Supplement Insurance policies offers Plan G.

Excess charge coverage: Unlike almost every other Medigap plan, Plan G covers Medicare Part B excess charges (if a provider is permitted to charge more than Medicare’s approved amount and does so).

What Medigap Plan G covers

Here’s what Medicare Supplement Plan G covers, according to Medicare.gov:

Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up.
Part A deductible.
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment.
Part B coinsurance or copayment.
Part B excess charges (if a provider is permitted to charge more than Medicare’s approved amount and does so).
Blood transfusion (first three pints).
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.
Medically necessary emergency health care service for the first 60 days when traveling outside the U.S. Deductible and limitations apply.

What Medigap Plan G doesn’t cover

Medicare Supplement Plan G offers the most coverage of any plan that new Medicare members can buy. However, there are benefits that even the most comprehensive Medigap plans don’t cover.

All Medigap plans, including Plan G, sold to new Medicare members generally don’t cover the following:

Part B deductible (since 2020, new Medicare members can’t buy any plan that covers the Part B deductible, although existing members may own older plans that do).
Prescription drugs.
Long-term care (like non-skilled care you get in a nursing home).
Dental care.
Vision care.
Private-duty nursing.

Shopping for Medigap plans? We have you covered.

MEDICARE SUPPLEMENT, or Medigap, is private health insurance that covers “gaps” in traditional Medicare coverage. Compare options from our Medigap roundup.
Best for Medigap plan options AARP/UnitedHealthcare	Best for member satisfaction State Farm
Best for premium discounts Mutual of Omaha	Best for extra benefits Anthem

How much does Medigap Plan G cost?

Premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan G are set by the private health insurance companies that sell it, even though the plans are regulated by the government. Prices vary according to age, location, tobacco use and other factors.

Premiums for a 65-year-old female nonsmoker range from $119 to $321 per month in Atlanta, which has average costs among major U.S. metro areas for the most popular Medigap plan types.

» MORE: How much does a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan cost?

Some states also offer a high-deductible Plan G, which provides the same benefits after a deductible of $2,800 in 2024 is paid. Monthly premiums for the same 65-year-old nonsmoker in Atlanta range from $42 to $76.

» MORE: Are high-deductible Medigap plans worth it?

To find out the cost of Medigap Plan G in your area, visit Medicare.gov.

Buy Medigap Plan G during Medigap open enrollment

The best time to buy your Medicare Supplement Plan G policy is during the six-month Medigap open enrollment period.

This period happens only once. It starts once you’re 65 and enrolled in Medicare Part B, and lasts for six months. (If you're still working after 65 and covered by a group employer plan that is deemed creditable coverage, your six-month period starts after you’ve ended active employment or no longer have that insurance.)

Medigap policies are cheapest and easiest to get during this open enrollment period because insurance companies aren’t allowed to factor your health or medical history into your price. After the period ends, the prices may go up or you may be denied coverage due to your health status or medical history.

In some states, insurance companies sell Medigap plans to those under 65 who are living with a disability and are eligible for Medicare. You can find more information through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program, or SHIP.

Is Plan G the best Medicare Supplement Insurance plan?

Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N

Medigap Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medicare Supplement Insurance plans available for new Medicare members. Plan N covers a little less than Plan G, but it generally has lower premiums.

Plan N also has copays for certain medical office and emergency department visits. If you don’t have a lot of those visits, Plan N might be the better deal for you. If you would have to pay those copays often, however, Plan G might end up less expensive.

» MORE: Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N calculator

Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan F

For those who are eligible, Plan F covers everything in Plan G, plus the Part B deductible; however, plans covering the Part B deductible can’t be sold to most new Medicare members anymore.

Even for people who can buy Plan F, it might not be the best deal. If the additional cost for Plan F would add up to more than the Part B deductible — $240 in 2024 — over the course of the year, it’s more cost effective to stick with Plan G.

» MORE: Medigap Plan F vs. Plan G: Which one is right for you?

Is Medicare Supplement Plan G worth it?

Medigap Plan G is often more expensive than other plan types because it covers such a wide range of benefits. Whether it's worth it to you depends on the specifics of prices available to you and the value you place on Plan G’s added coverage.

Compare Medigap plan types

Get details on Medicare Supplement Insurance options
Coverage	Medigap Plan
Basic benefits	Medigap Plan A.
Basics plus some extras	Medigap Plan B. Medigap Plan M.
Highest coverage	Medigap Plan D. Medigap Plan G.
Lower premiums, but higher copays	Medigap Plan N.
Lowest premiums — partial coverage	Medigap Plan K. Medigap Plan L.
No longer for sale to new Medicare members	Medigap Plan C. Medigap Plan F.

» MORE: Compare Medicare Supplement Insurance plans

If you have additional questions about Medicare, visitMedicare.gov or call 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227, TTY 877-486-2048).

What Is Medigap Plan G? What You Need to Know - NerdWallet (2024)