Once you’ve decided on Original Medicare, you may find yourself wondering about Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap. These cover out-of-pocket expenses that are typically not covered by Medicare Parts A and B (hospital and medical insurance). But which one should you choose? Which will provide the coverage you need? What is the best way to compare Medicare supplement plans?
Choosing a plan can be difficult, but this article will explain the differences in three common plan types so you can better compare Medicare Supplement plans. If you still have questions about Medigap Plan G vs Plan N, please don’t hesitate to contact Medicare Sharks for a free consultation to learn more.
What Medicare Supplement Plans Help Cover
Original Medicare generally covers about 80 percent of your medical and hospitalization costs. Unfortunately, healthcare can be expensive, so even 20 percent of your costs could present a financial strain—especially when it comes to regular expenses for chronic health conditions.
That’s where Medicare supplement or Medigap plans come in. These plans pay for certain out-of-pocket costs for services covered by Medicare. So, you go to the doctor, Medicare pays its share, and your Medigap policy pays for most or all of the remaining costs.
There are several different types of Medicare supplement plans, with G and N plans among the most popular. Each plan type is standardized, so a G plan with one company should have the exact same benefits as a G plan with another company.
Why You Should Still Compare Medicare Supplement Plans Despite Standardized Benefits
Although benefits are standardized, plan costs are not. Many Medicare enrollees are surprised when they begin comparing plans. For example, they might find that the same N plan at Company A costs twice as much as the N plan at Company B. Because of these price differences, we recommend that you compare Medicare supplement plans carefully before buying.
Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Options Explained
Just what are the differences in benefits between the different types of plans? Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities among three popular options.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Explained
Medicare Supplement Plan G is a very popular choice as it pays for all out-of-pocket expenses other than the Part B deductible. This includes Part A coinsurance (and the Part A deductible), Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, preventative care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergencies (80 percent of costs up to plan limits), Part B excess doctor charges, blood, hospice coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
What will you have to pay for? Your plan premiums, the Part B deductible, and any services that are not covered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Explained
In many ways, Medicare Supplement Plan N is very similar to Plan G. It covers Parts A and B coinsurance costs, plus the Part A deductible, as well as blood, hospice coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Additionally, it covers up to 80 percent of foreign travel emergency expenses up to the policy limits.
It does differ in a few ways: Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess doctor charges, so if these are often high for you, Plan N may not be the best choice.
Plan N also requires a $20 co-pay for doctor’s visits and a $50 co-pay for emergency room visits when you are not admitted. (The $50 is waived if your emergency room visit results in admission to the hospital.) Meanwhile, Plan G has no out-of-pocket costs for doctor’s office and emergency room visits.
High-Deductible Options
In some states, including Florida, companies can offer a high-deductible Plan G (HDG). With this type of plan, you must meet your annual deductible before the plan pays 100 percent of your remaining costs. This deductible is currently $2,950 in 2026, but it is subject to change each year.
The main benefit of high-deductible plans is their lower premiums. However, having to meet a deductible before receiving benefits can be a drawback.
What to Compare Beyond Monthly Premiums
It’s easy to focus on the monthly premium when you compare Medicare supplement plans. However, the premium is only one part of the cost. You also need to consider your out-of-pocket expenses. If you seldom meet the deductible for a high-deductible plan, you may end up paying more than you would for a plan with a higher premium. Likewise, if you have frequent doctor’s visits, your out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up with Plan N.
So which option is best? It depends on your individual situation. No one plan is the best option for everyone. Some people save more money with Plan G, others with Plan N, and others with a high-deductible plan.
Provider Access and Travel Flexibility
Beyond costs, you may also want to consider your access to providers and flexibility when traveling. The G, N, and HDG plans all offer foreign travel emergency benefits, and in the US, you can use any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide. With these plans, there’s no need to worry about limited networks or getting a referral to see a specialist.
When to Speak With a Medicare Supplement Broker
If you need help understanding Medigap plans in Florida, or aren’t sure how to choose a plan, it may be time to talk to a Medicare supplement broker. At Medicare Sharks, our licensed agents are always happy to help with a free consultation to answer your questions and help you compare Medicare Supplement plans. Please contact us to request a personalized comparison before choosing coverage.
FAQs About Comparing Medigap Plans
What kind of coverage do Medigap plans G, N, and HDG provide for foreign travel emergencies?
Plans with foreign travel emergency coverage (like G and N plans) will pay up to 80 percent after a deductible. This coverage is good only for the first 60 days you’re out of the country, and it has a lifetime benefit of $50,000.
What are Part B excess doctor charges, and how are they covered by Plan G?
Providers that accept Medicare assignment rates cannot bill you over the Medicare-allowed rate. However, those that don’t accept Medicare assignment rates can bill up to 15 percent over the rate. Medicare Plan G will pay 100 percent of these excess charges. However, most primary care providers accept assignment rates, and even those that do not won’t always charge excess rates, so these costs are often rare.
How much do you pay out of pocket with a high-deductible plan?
Until you meet your deductible, you will pay 20 percent of the total costs of services. Once the deductible has been satisfied, your out-of-pocket costs should be 100 percent covered.
Is Medigap the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap is a supplement that works with Original Medicare, while a Medicare Advantage plan is a private plan intended to replace Original Medicare. You can choose either option, but you can’t have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time.
Once you’ve decided on Original Medicare, you may find yourself wondering about Medicare supplement plans, also known as Medigap. These cover out-of-pocket expenses that are typically not covered by Medicare Parts A and B (hospital and medical insurance). But which one should you choose? Which will provide the coverage you need? What is the best way to compare Medicare supplement plans?
Choosing a plan can be difficult, but this article will explain the differences in three common plan types so you can better compare Medicare Supplement plans. If you still have questions about Medigap Plan G vs Plan N, please don’t hesitate to contact Medicare Sharks for a free consultation to learn more.
What Medicare Supplement Plans Help Cover
Original Medicare generally covers about 80 percent of your medical and hospitalization costs. Unfortunately, healthcare can be expensive, so even 20 percent of your costs could present a financial strain—especially when it comes to regular expenses for chronic health conditions.
That’s where Medicare supplement or Medigap plans come in. These plans pay for certain out-of-pocket costs for services covered by Medicare. So, you go to the doctor, Medicare pays its share, and your Medigap policy pays for most or all of the remaining costs.
There are several different types of Medicare supplement plans, with G and N plans among the most popular. Each plan type is standardized, so a G plan with one company should have the exact same benefits as a G plan with another company.
Why You Should Still Compare Medicare Supplement Plans Despite Standardized Benefits
Although benefits are standardized, plan costs are not. Many Medicare enrollees are surprised when they begin comparing plans. For example, they might find that the same N plan at Company A costs twice as much as the N plan at Company B. Because of these price differences, we recommend that you compare Medicare supplement plans carefully before buying.
Plan G, Plan N, and High-Deductible Options Explained
Just what are the differences in benefits between the different types of plans? Let’s take a look at the differences and similarities among three popular options.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Explained
Medicare Supplement Plan G is a very popular choice as it pays for all out-of-pocket expenses other than the Part B deductible. This includes Part A coinsurance (and the Part A deductible), Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, preventative care coinsurance, and foreign travel emergencies (80 percent of costs up to plan limits), Part B excess doctor charges, blood, hospice coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance.
What will you have to pay for? Your plan premiums, the Part B deductible, and any services that are not covered by Original Medicare.
Medicare Supplement Plan N Explained
In many ways, Medicare Supplement Plan N is very similar to Plan G. It covers Parts A and B coinsurance costs, plus the Part A deductible, as well as blood, hospice coinsurance, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Additionally, it covers up to 80 percent of foreign travel emergency expenses up to the policy limits.
It does differ in a few ways: Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess doctor charges, so if these are often high for you, Plan N may not be the best choice.
Plan N also requires a $20 co-pay for doctor’s visits and a $50 co-pay for emergency room visits when you are not admitted. (The $50 is waived if your emergency room visit results in admission to the hospital.) Meanwhile, Plan G has no out-of-pocket costs for doctor’s office and emergency room visits.
High-Deductible Options
In some states, including Florida, companies can offer a high-deductible Plan G (HDG). With this type of plan, you must meet your annual deductible before the plan pays 100 percent of your remaining costs. This deductible is currently $2,950 in 2026, but it is subject to change each year.
The main benefit of high-deductible plans is their lower premiums. However, having to meet a deductible before receiving benefits can be a drawback.
What to Compare Beyond Monthly Premiums
It’s easy to focus on the monthly premium when you compare Medicare supplement plans. However, the premium is only one part of the cost. You also need to consider your out-of-pocket expenses. If you seldom meet the deductible for a high-deductible plan, you may end up paying more than you would for a plan with a higher premium. Likewise, if you have frequent doctor’s visits, your out-of-pocket costs can quickly add up with Plan N.
So which option is best? It depends on your individual situation. No one plan is the best option for everyone. Some people save more money with Plan G, others with Plan N, and others with a high-deductible plan.
Provider Access and Travel Flexibility
Beyond costs, you may also want to consider your access to providers and flexibility when traveling. The G, N, and HDG plans all offer foreign travel emergency benefits, and in the US, you can use any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide. With these plans, there’s no need to worry about limited networks or getting a referral to see a specialist.
When to Speak With a Medicare Supplement Broker
If you need help understanding Medigap plans in Florida, or aren’t sure how to choose a plan, it may be time to talk to a Medicare supplement broker. At Medicare Sharks, our licensed agents are always happy to help with a free consultation to answer your questions and help you compare Medicare Supplement plans. Please contact us to request a personalized comparison before choosing coverage.
FAQs About Comparing Medigap Plans
What kind of coverage do Medigap plans G, N, and HDG provide for foreign travel emergencies?
Plans with foreign travel emergency coverage (like G and N plans) will pay up to 80 percent after a deductible. This coverage is good only for the first 60 days you’re out of the country, and it has a lifetime benefit of $50,000.
What are Part B excess doctor charges, and how are they covered by Plan G?
Providers that accept Medicare assignment rates cannot bill you over the Medicare-allowed rate. However, those that don’t accept Medicare assignment rates can bill up to 15 percent over the rate. Medicare Plan G will pay 100 percent of these excess charges. However, most primary care providers accept assignment rates, and even those that do not won’t always charge excess rates, so these costs are often rare.
How much do you pay out of pocket with a high-deductible plan?
Until you meet your deductible, you will pay 20 percent of the total costs of services. Once the deductible has been satisfied, your out-of-pocket costs should be 100 percent covered.
Is Medigap the same as Medicare Advantage?
No. Medigap is a supplement that works with Original Medicare, while a Medicare Advantage plan is a private plan intended to replace Original Medicare. You can choose either option, but you can’t have both Medigap and Medicare Advantage at the same time.