AMAC Magazine Exclusive – By Sabrinah Cave
Choosing a Medicare Supplement plan—also known as a Medigap plan—is about balancing predictable coverage with affordable monthly premiums. While Medigap Plan G is a popular choice due to its straightforward benefits, Plan N can be a smart alternative for lowering costs without sacrificing strong protection. Here’s how the two plans compare and why Plan N may be worth a closer look.
Plan G vs. Plan N
Both Plan G and Plan N offer protection against Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs, but they differ in other important ways.
Plan G covers 100 percent of Medicare-approved expenses once you meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). After that deductible is satisfied, Plan G pays for most Medicare out-of-pocket costs, including coinsurance, hospital deductibles, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and Part B excess charges.
Plan N also requires you to meet the Part B deductible. After that, you may be responsible for modest copays—up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in hospital admission. Preventive care remains fully covered by Medicare, with no copay.
Plan N also covers many of the same core benefits as Plan G, including hospital deductibles, coinsurance, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care. However, Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges. Because this is often the biggest concern for beneficiaries considering Plan N, it’s important to understand what excess charges really are and how often they occur.
Understanding Part B Excess Charges
Excess charges occur when a doctor or medical supplier does not accept Medicare assignment (the Medicare-approved rate for a service) and bills more than that amount. Federal law allows these additional charges to be as much as 15 percent above Medicare’s approved rate.
Plan G covers excess charges in full, while Plan N does not. The good news is that excess charges are extremely uncommon. Only about two percent of providers nationwide are permitted to bill them.
In addition, several states prohibit excess charges entirely, and others place limits on them. The simplest way to avoid excess charges is to confirm that your provider accepts Medicare assignment before receiving care—something most doctors already do.
Potential Savings
While Plan G offers very comprehensive coverage, it often comes with higher monthly premiums. Plan N, on the other hand, typically has lower premiums with limited and predictable out-of-pocket costs. In many areas, beneficiaries can save an average of $500 per year by switching from Plan G to Plan N. For those who don’t visit the doctor frequently, those savings may more than offset occasional copays.
If your Plan G premiums have become difficult to manage but you still want broad coverage and nationwide access to Medicare providers, Plan N may be a smart middle-ground option.
Curious About Switching to Plan N?
A quick review could reveal meaningful savings—without giving up the coverage you rely on. Contact AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service at 800-368-1523 to explore your options and find a plan that fits both your health and your budget.
Visit amac.us/medigapN for your quote!
looks kliek 6 of one or half a dozen of the other. I’ stick with plan G as long as I can.