Medicare Plan G Explained: What It Covers, Costs, and How It Compares to Other Plans

What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Most people assume that once they have Medicare, their healthcare costs are largely taken care of. The reality is more complicated. Original Medicare covers a significant portion of your medical expenses, but it was never designed to cover everything. Deductibles, coinsurance, copayments, and other cost-sharing requirements can add up quickly, particularly for seniors who use healthcare regularly or face a serious illness or hospitalization.

Medicare Supplement Plan G, also called Medigap Plan G, exists to fill those gaps. It is a private insurance policy that works alongside Original Medicare to cover costs that Parts A and B leave behind. For most new Medicare enrollees today, Plan G is the most comprehensive supplemental coverage available, picking up nearly every out-of-pocket expense Medicare does not pay — hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing facility costs, Part A deductibles, Part B excess charges, and more.

What makes Plan G particularly valuable is the predictability it provides. Rather than facing variable out-of-pocket costs that change depending on how much care you use in a given year, Plan G gives you a much clearer picture of what your healthcare will actually cost. You pay your monthly premium and the annual Part B deductible. Beyond that, covered services are paid in full. For seniors managing chronic conditions, recovering from major procedures, or simply wanting financial peace of mind in retirement, that kind of stability is worth a great deal.

Plan G is also flexible in a way that Medicare Advantage plans are not. Because it works with Original Medicare rather than replacing it, you can see any doctor, specialist, or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare, without network restrictions, referral requirements, or prior authorization hurdles. That freedom matters enormously for people who travel frequently, split time between states, or have established relationships with specific providers they want to keep.

This guide covers everything you need to know about Medicare Supplement Plan G in 2026, including what it covers, what it costs, how it compares to Plan F and other alternatives, and how to enroll.

What Is Medicare Supplement Insurance?

Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly known as Medigap, is private health insurance designed to work alongside Original Medicare. It does not replace Medicare. It fills the financial gaps that Medicare Parts A and B leave behind, reducing or eliminating the out-of-pocket costs that beneficiaries would otherwise pay themselves.

To understand why Medigap matters, it helps to understand what Original Medicare actually covers and where it stops. Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, and some home health services. Part B covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and medically necessary equipment. Together they form the foundation of Medicare coverage for most beneficiaries — but the cost-sharing built into both parts is significant.

Part A comes with a deductible of $1,676 per benefit period in 2026. That deductible resets every benefit period, not once per year, which means a senior who is hospitalized multiple times in a year could face it more than once. For hospital stays beyond 60 days, daily coinsurance charges kick in. Skilled nursing facility stays beyond 20 days also carry a daily coinsurance responsibility that adds up quickly for seniors recovering from surgery or serious illness.

Part B operates differently but carries its own cost exposure. After meeting the annual Part B deductible of $257 in 2026, Medicare covers 80% of approved costs for most covered services. The remaining 20% is yours. There is no cap on that 20%. A senior who undergoes a major outpatient procedure or receives ongoing specialist care can accumulate substantial out-of-pocket costs under Part B with no ceiling in sight.

There are also services that Original Medicare does not cover at all. Routine dental care, vision exams, hearing aids, long-term custodial care, and most care received outside the United States fall entirely outside Medicare’s scope. No Medigap plan covers these gaps either, since supplement plans can only cover costs that Medicare itself recognizes.

Medigap plans are standardized by federal law and labeled with letters — Plan A through Plan N. Each plan type offers the same core benefits regardless of which insurance company sells it. Plan G from one carrier covers exactly the same services as Plan G from another. What differs between carriers is the monthly premium, the rate increase history, the customer service experience, and any added perks. That standardization makes comparing plans more straightforward than most people expect — once you understand what each plan covers, the comparison becomes primarily about price and carrier quality.

To enroll in a Medigap plan, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B. Medigap plans cover one person per policy, so married couples each need their own separate plan. And unlike Medicare Advantage, Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage — you would need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan for that.

What Happens If I Don’t Have a Medicare Supplement Plan?

Choosing to go without a Medicare Supplement plan is a legitimate option, and some seniors do it successfully — particularly those who are in excellent health, have significant savings set aside for medical expenses, or are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan that provides its own cost-sharing structure. But for most people on Original Medicare alone, the financial exposure is real and worth understanding clearly before making that decision.

Without a Medigap plan, you are personally responsible for every cost-sharing requirement built into Medicare Parts A and B. In a routine year with minimal healthcare use, that may not amount to much. In a year with a hospitalization, a surgical procedure, or a new chronic diagnosis, it can add up to thousands of dollars with no ceiling to stop it.

Here is what you would be responsible for out of pocket under Original Medicare without any supplement coverage in 2026:

• Part A hospital deductible: $1,676 per benefit period. This resets each time you begin a new benefit period, meaning multiple hospitalizations in a year could trigger it more than once.
• Hospital coinsurance for longer stays: $419 per day for days 61 through 90, and $838 per day for lifetime reserve days beyond 90.
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance: $209.50 per day for days 21 through 100 following a qualifying hospital stay.
• Part B deductible: $257 per year before Medicare begins covering outpatient services.
• Part B coinsurance: 20% of Medicare-approved costs for covered outpatient services, with no annual out-of-pocket maximum.
• Part B excess charges: Up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate if your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment — though this does not apply in states where excess charges are prohibited by law.
• No foreign travel emergency coverage: Original Medicare generally does not cover care received outside the United States.

The absence of an out-of-pocket maximum under Original Medicare is the most significant risk for seniors without supplement coverage. Medicare Advantage plans are required by law to cap your annual out-of-pocket costs. Original Medicare has no such requirement. A serious illness, a prolonged hospital stay, or a complex surgical recovery could result in costs that continue accumulating with nothing to stop them.

For seniors managing chronic conditions, seeing specialists regularly, or simply wanting their retirement finances to be predictable, that open-ended exposure is the primary reason Medigap coverage exists. It is not about covering routine costs. It is about making sure a bad health year does not also become a financial crisis.

How Medicare Supplement Plan G Works

Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to people newly eligible for Medicare today. It covers nearly every gap left by Original Medicare, with one exception — the annual Part B deductible. Once you meet that deductible, Plan G pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year, leaving you with no copayments, no coinsurance, and no surprise bills for Medicare-covered services.

Plan G became the go-to choice for new enrollees after Plan F was closed to anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan F had long been the gold standard of Medigap coverage because it covered everything, including the Part B deductible. With Plan F no longer available to most new enrollees, Plan G stepped into that role. For the overwhelming majority of people entering Medicare today, Plan G is the most complete supplemental coverage they can buy.

How Plan G Fits Into the Medigap Landscape

There are ten standardized Medigap plan types labeled A through N, each covering a different combination of Medicare cost-sharing gaps. Plan G sits near the top of that spectrum in terms of comprehensiveness. Plans K and L cover only a percentage of certain benefits. Plan N covers most of what Plan G does but excludes Part B excess charges and includes small copayments for office and emergency room visits. High-Deductible Plan G offers the same benefits as standard Plan G but requires you to meet a higher deductible before coverage kicks in, in exchange for a lower monthly premium.

Among all the options available to new enrollees, standard Plan G consistently attracts the most interest because it strikes the most favorable balance between coverage depth and premium cost for people who use healthcare regularly.

Who Sells Plan G, and Is It the Same Everywhere?

Plan G is sold by private insurance companies, and because Medigap plans are federally standardized, the benefits are identical regardless of which carrier you buy from. A Plan G policy from UnitedHealthcare covers exactly the same services as a Plan G policy from Mutual of Omaha or Cigna. The differences between carriers come down to monthly premiums, rate increase history, financial strength, customer service quality, and any added perks or discounts they offer.

That standardization is genuinely useful when shopping. You are not trying to compare different benefit structures across carriers. You are comparing price and carrier quality for the exact same underlying coverage, which makes the decision more straightforward than most people expect going in.

Plan G vs Medicare Advantage

It is worth clarifying how Plan G differs from Medicare Advantage, since the two are often discussed in the same breath as alternatives to each other. They are fundamentally different products. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare entirely and is managed by a private insurer, typically through a provider network. Plan G works alongside Original Medicare, supplementing it rather than replacing it.

With Plan G and Original Medicare, you can see any doctor or specialist in the country who accepts Medicare, with no network restrictions and no referrals required. With Medicare Advantage, your care is generally tied to a local provider network. For seniors who travel frequently, have established relationships with specific providers, or simply want the freedom to access care anywhere in the country, Plan G offers a level of flexibility that Medicare Advantage cannot match.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?

Plan G covers nearly every out-of-pocket cost that Original Medicare leaves behind. Once you have met the annual Part B deductible of $257 in 2026, you pay nothing out of pocket for any Medicare-covered service for the rest of the year. No copayments, no coinsurance, no surprise bills. Here is a detailed breakdown of exactly what Plan G covers.

Part A Hospital Coinsurance and Extended Stay Costs

Original Medicare covers most inpatient hospital costs for the first 60 days of a hospital stay, but after that, daily coinsurance charges kick in. Plan G covers 100% of those charges, including the coinsurance for days 61 through 90 and the daily rate for lifetime reserve days beyond 90. It also extends your hospital coverage for up to 365 additional days after your Medicare hospital benefits are exhausted — a significant protection for seniors facing prolonged hospitalizations.

Part A Deductible

The Medicare Part A deductible in 2026 is $1,676 per benefit period. Unlike an annual deductible that resets once per year, the Part A deductible resets each benefit period, meaning a senior who is hospitalized more than once in a year could face it multiple times. Plan G covers this deductible in full every time it applies, eliminating what can otherwise be a significant and repeated expense for seniors with serious health needs.

Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance

Medicare covers hospice care for beneficiaries with a terminal illness, but it does include some cost-sharing in the form of coinsurance for certain drugs and inpatient respite care. Plan G covers those hospice coinsurance and copayment amounts in full.

Part B Coinsurance and Copayments

After meeting the Part B deductible, Original Medicare covers 80% of approved costs for most covered outpatient services. The remaining 20% is your responsibility, with no cap on how much that can add up to in a given year. Plan G covers that 20% in full for every covered service, eliminating the open-ended coinsurance exposure that makes Original Medicare financially unpredictable without supplemental coverage.

Part B Excess Charges

Doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved rate for their services. These are known as Part B excess charges, and they can add meaningful cost to specialist visits or procedures if your provider does not accept Medicare’s standard payment. Plan G covers excess charges in full, which means you are protected regardless of whether your doctor accepts Medicare assignment or not.

It is worth noting that excess charges are prohibited by law in several states, including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. If you live in one of those states, this particular benefit is less relevant to your situation, though it does not affect the value of Plan G’s other coverages.

Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance

Medicare covers skilled nursing facility care following a qualifying hospital stay of at least three days, but only the first 20 days are covered in full. From day 21 through day 100, beneficiaries pay a daily coinsurance of $209.50 in 2026. Plan G covers that coinsurance completely, which is particularly valuable for seniors recovering from surgery, stroke, or other conditions requiring extended rehabilitation.

First Three Pints of Blood

Medicare does not cover the cost of the first three pints of blood used during a medical procedure unless the blood is donated to replace what was used. Plan G covers those first three pints, eliminating a cost that can catch people off guard when it appears on a medical bill.

Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage

Original Medicare generally does not cover care received outside the United States. Plan G includes foreign travel emergency coverage, paying 80% of the cost of medically necessary emergency care received abroad after a $250 deductible, up to a lifetime limit of $50,000. For seniors who travel internationally or spend extended time outside the country, this benefit provides meaningful protection that Original Medicare alone does not offer.

What Plan G Does Not Cover

Understanding what Plan G excludes is just as important as knowing what it covers. Because Plan G is a supplement to Original Medicare rather than a replacement for it, it can only cover costs that Medicare itself recognizes. Anything outside Medicare’s scope is also outside Plan G’s scope.

• The Part B deductible: The one gap Plan G does not cover. You pay the $257 annual Part B deductible yourself before Plan G’s coverage kicks in for outpatient services.
• Prescription drugs: Plan G does not include drug coverage. You need a standalone Medicare Part D plan for prescription coverage.
• Routine dental care: Cleanings, fillings, extractions, and other routine dental services are not covered by Medicare or Plan G.
• Vision care: Routine eye exams and prescription eyeglasses are not covered.
• Hearing aids: Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them, and neither does Plan G.
• Long-term custodial care: Care in a nursing home or assisted living facility that is not medically necessary, skilled nursing care falls outside Medicare’s coverage and, therefore, outside Plan G’s as well.
• Cosmetic procedures: Any service Medicare considers non-medically necessary is not covered.

Does Medicare Plan G Cover the Part B Deductible?

No. The Medicare Part B deductible is the one gap that Plan G does not cover. In 2026, that deductible is $257 per year. Once you meet it, Plan G picks up 100% of your covered outpatient costs for the remainder of the year. But that initial $257 is your responsibility every January.

For most people, this is a non-issue in practical terms. A single doctor visit early in the year typically satisfies the deductible, and from that point forward, Plan G’s coverage is essentially complete for all Medicare-covered services. The $257 annual exposure is predictable, fixed, and manageable for the vast majority of Plan G members.

Why Does Plan G Not Cover the Part B Deductible?

The answer goes back to legislation passed in 2015. Congress prohibited Medigap plans from covering the Part B deductible for anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. The reasoning behind the change was that full coverage of the deductible reduced the financial incentive for beneficiaries to consider whether a given medical service was necessary, which policymakers believed was contributing to higher overall Medicare spending.

Plan F, which predates that legislation, was grandfathered in and still covers the Part B deductible for people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. For everyone else, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available, and the Part B deductible is simply the price of that trade-off.

Does the Part B Deductible Make Plan G Less Valuable?

For most people, no. The math actually works in Plan G’s favor more often than people expect. Plan G premiums are typically lower than Plan F premiums because the risk pool is different and the benefit structure is slightly less comprehensive. In many markets, the annual premium savings between Plan F and Plan G exceed $257, meaning Plan G members come out ahead financially even after paying the deductible out of pocket.

That calculation varies by market, carrier, and individual circumstances, but it is a meaningful consideration for anyone who is eligible for Plan F and weighing the two options. Paying $257 per year out of pocket sounds like a disadvantage on paper. In practice, for many people, it is offset by lower monthly premiums that reduce total annual healthcare spending.

What About High-Deductible Plan G?

There is also a High-Deductible version of Plan G that takes this trade-off further. High-Deductible Plan G offers the same comprehensive benefits as standard Plan G but requires you to pay all Medicare-covered costs out of pocket until you reach a deductible of $2,950 in 2026. Once that deductible is met, the plan covers everything standard Plan G covers for the rest of the year.

In exchange for taking on that higher deductible, premiums for High-Deductible Plan G are significantly lower than standard Plan G. For seniors in good health who rarely need significant medical care, the lower premium can result in meaningful annual savings even in years when the full deductible is met. It is a plan worth understanding alongside standard Plan G, particularly for budget-conscious seniors who want protection against catastrophic costs without paying for comprehensive coverage they are unlikely to use.

Medicare Plan F vs Plan G: Which Is Better?

Plan F and Plan G are the two most comprehensive Medigap options available, and for seniors eligible for both, the comparison comes up constantly. The difference between them is straightforward on paper but worth thinking through carefully since the right answer depends on your specific situation.

Plan F covers everything Plan G covers, plus the Medicare Part B deductible. That is the only difference in benefits. Everything else — Part A coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, excess charges, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, foreign travel emergency coverage — is identical between the two plans. The question is whether paying a higher premium for Plan F to cover that $257 deductible actually makes financial sense compared to choosing Plan G and paying the deductible yourself.

Here is how the two plans compare directly:

• Part B deductible coverage: Plan F covers it in full. Plan G does not — you pay the $257 annual deductible yourself.
• Monthly premiums: Plan F premiums are typically higher than Plan G premiums, often by more than $257 per year when you add up the difference across 12 months. In many markets, Plan G members save money overall even after paying the deductible out of pocket.
• Availability: Plan F is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you became eligible on or after that date, Plan G is the most comprehensive option you can buy.
• Long-term premium trajectory: Because Plan F is closed to new enrollees, its membership pool is aging and shrinking over time. As that pool uses more healthcare services, premiums for Plan F are expected to increase faster than Plan G premiums over the coming years. Seniors who enroll in Plan F today may face steeper rate increases down the road than Plan G members.
• Out-of-pocket predictability: Both plans offer strong predictability. Plan F is technically more complete since you never pay the Part B deductible. Plan G leaves that one known, fixed annual cost in place but otherwise delivers the same financial protection.
• Overall value: For most people who became eligible for Medicare after 2020, the question is moot — Plan G is the only option. For those who can still access Plan F, the math often favors Plan G when total annual costs are compared rather than just premiums.

The bottom line is that Plan F has a slight coverage edge on paper, but Plan G frequently wins on total annual cost. If you are eligible for Plan F, it is worth running the numbers for your specific market and carrier rather than assuming Plan F is the better deal simply because it covers more on paper. A licensed insurance agent can pull side-by-side premium comparisons for both plans in your area, which is the most reliable way to make that call.

Pros of Medicare Supplement Plan G

Plan G has become the most popular Medigap plan among new Medicare enrollees for reasons that go beyond it simply being the most comprehensive option available. Here is a detailed look at what makes it the optimal choice it is for so many seniors.

• Near-complete coverage of Medicare gaps: Plan G covers every out-of-pocket cost that Original Medicare leaves behind except the Part B deductible. Once you meet that $257 annual deductible, you pay nothing for any Medicare-covered service for the rest of the year. No copayments, no coinsurance, no unexpected bills from covered procedures or hospital stays.
• Protection against Part B excess charges: Doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate. Plan G covers those excess charges in full, which means you are never at financial risk from a provider who does not accept Medicare’s standard payment. For seniors who see specialists regularly or live in markets where physician opt-out rates are higher, this protection has real value.
• No network restrictions: Because Plan G works with Original Medicare rather than replacing it, you can see any doctor, specialist, or hospital in the country that accepts Medicare. There are no HMO networks to navigate, no referrals required, and no prior authorizations standing between you and the care you need. For frequent travelers, snowbirds, or anyone with established provider relationships they want to keep, that freedom is one of Plan G’s most compelling advantages.
• Predictable annual costs: With Plan G, your healthcare spending is largely knowable at the start of each year. You pay your monthly premium and the $257 Part B deductible. Beyond that, covered services are paid in full. That predictability makes retirement budgeting significantly easier, particularly for seniors on fixed incomes who need to plan their finances carefully.
• Foreign travel emergency coverage: Plan G covers 80% of medically necessary emergency care received outside the United States after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. For seniors who travel internationally or spend extended time abroad, this benefit fills a gap that Original Medicare does not address at all.
• Strong long-term premium outlook: Because Plan G is open to new enrollees, its membership pool remains large and diverse in terms of age and health status. That diversity helps keep rate increases more moderate over time compared to closed plans like Plan F, whose aging membership pool tends to drive faster premium growth. Seniors who enroll in Plan G today are generally in a more favorable long-term pricing position than those who choose Plan F.
• Widely available from multiple carriers: Plan G is offered by most major Medicare supplement insurance companies, including UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, Humana, Aetna, Mutual of Omaha, and others. That broad availability means genuine competition on pricing, giving seniors the ability to shop across carriers for the best premium on identical coverage.
• Straightforward to understand and use: Unlike Medicare Advantage plans with complex cost-sharing structures, tiered networks, and prior authorization requirements, Plan G is simple to use once you are enrolled. Show your Medicare card and your Plan G card at any Medicare-accepting provider, and your costs are covered. There is very little administrative complexity involved in day-to-day use.

Cons of Medicare Supplement Plan G

Plan G is the right choice for a lot of people, but it is not the right choice for everyone. Understanding the realistic trade-offs helps you make a more informed decision rather than defaulting to the most comprehensive option without considering whether it actually fits your situation.

• The monthly premium is higher than most other Medigap plans: Plan G’s comprehensive coverage comes at a cost. Premiums are higher than Plan N, High-Deductible Plan G, and most other Medigap options. For seniors in good health who rarely need significant medical care, that premium may represent more coverage than they realistically need, making a lower-premium alternative a more cost-effective choice over time.
• The Part B deductible is not covered: The one gap Plan G leaves in place is the $257 annual Part B deductible. For most people, this is a minor inconvenience rather than a real financial burden, but it does mean Plan G is not quite the zero-surprise coverage experience that Plan F offers. Seniors who strongly prefer knowing they will never owe anything out of pocket for covered services may find that trade-off meaningful.
• No prescription drug coverage: Plan G does not include any prescription drug coverage. Enrolling in a standalone Medicare Part D plan is a separate step that adds another premium to your monthly healthcare costs. For seniors taking multiple medications, that combined cost of Plan G plus Part D can push total monthly premiums higher than some alternatives, particularly Medicare Advantage plans that bundle drug coverage into a single plan.
• No dental, vision, or hearing coverage: Plan G covers only what Original Medicare covers, and Original Medicare does not cover routine dental care, vision exams, eyeglasses, or hearing aids. Seniors who need these services regularly will need to find and pay for separate coverage, which adds both cost and administrative complexity that Medicare Advantage plans with bundled supplemental benefits do not require.
• Premiums increase with age in most states: Most Plan G policies are priced on an attained-age basis, meaning your premium increases as you get older, regardless of your health status. A premium that feels comfortable at 65 may look quite different at 75 or 80. Understanding how your specific plan is rated — community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated — before you enroll matters more than most people realize when thinking about long-term affordability.
• Medical underwriting applies outside open enrollment: If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or want to switch plans later, insurers in most states can require medical underwriting. That means they can charge you higher premiums or deny your application based on your health history. The flexibility to change plans freely exists primarily during that initial enrollment window, making the timing of your Plan G enrollment more consequential than it might appear upfront.
• Not available to everyone: While Plan G is widely available, it is not offered in every state in the same form. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own standardized Medigap structures that differ from the federal model, meaning residents of those states shop for supplement coverage under a different set of rules. Availability can also vary by county and carrier within states that do follow the standard federal framework.

None of these drawbacks are disqualifying for most seniors considering Plan G. But taken together, they paint a realistic picture of who Plan G serves best and where alternatives might be worth a closer look. Seniors in excellent health with modest healthcare needs, those who want bundled drug and supplemental benefits in a single plan, or those on tighter fixed incomes may find that Plan N, High-Deductible Plan G, or even Medicare Advantage delivers better value for their specific circumstances.

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cost?

Plan G premiums vary more than most people expect. The same plan type with identical benefits can cost under $100 per month in one market and over $700 in another. Understanding what drives that variation helps you shop more effectively and set realistic expectations before you start comparing quotes.

What Drives Plan G Premium Differences

Several factors determine what you will pay for Plan G coverage, and most of them are outside your control once you have chosen where to live.

• Location: Where you live is the single biggest driver of Plan G premium variation. Insurance markets differ significantly by state and even by county within a state. Urban markets with high healthcare costs tend to have higher premiums. Rural markets and states with more competitive insurance landscapes often offer lower pricing.
• Age: In most states, Plan G premiums increase as you get older. This is known as attained-age rating. A 65-year-old enrolling in Plan G will typically pay a lower premium than a 72-year-old enrolling in the same plan from the same carrier.
• Gender: In states that allow gender-based pricing, women typically pay lower premiums than men for the same Plan G coverage, reflecting actuarial differences in healthcare utilization patterns.
• Tobacco use: Smokers and people who vape pay higher Plan G premiums than non-smokers in most states. The surcharge varies by carrier but can be significant.
• How the plan is rated: Community-rated plans charge the same premium to all enrollees regardless of age. Issue-age-rated plans base the premium on your age when you first enroll and do not increase it as you get older. Attained-age-rated plans increase with your age over time. The rating method affects not just what you pay today but how your premium will grow over the course of your retirement.
• The carrier: Because Plan G benefits are standardized, carriers compete primarily on price. The same coverage can cost meaningfully different amounts from different insurers in the same market, which is why comparing quotes across multiple carriers before enrolling is always worth doing.

What Does Plan G Actually Cost in 2026?

Premium ranges for Plan G in 2026 vary widely depending on the factors above. At the lower end of the market, a 65-year-old non-smoking woman in a competitive market, like Dallas, Texas, can find Plan G coverage for around $99 per month. At the higher end, the same coverage in a high-cost market like New York City can run over $700 per month for the same age and profile.

For most people enrolling at 65 in a mid-size market, Plan G premiums typically fall somewhere in the $120 to $200 per month range, though that is a broad estimate, and actual quotes in your specific area can differ significantly. The only reliable way to know what Plan G will cost you is to get personalized quotes from multiple carriers in your ZIP code.

It is also worth factoring in the full cost picture beyond the monthly premium. Plan G members pay the $257 annual Part B deductible out of pocket before coverage kicks in for outpatient services. Beyond that, covered services are paid in full with no copayments or coinsurance. For most Plan G members, total annual out-of-pocket healthcare spending is the monthly premium multiplied by 12, plus $257. That predictability is one of the plan’s most financially valuable features.

How Does Plan G Cost Compare to Alternatives?

Compared to Plan N, Plan G typically costs more per month but eliminates the copayments and excess charge exposure that Plan N members face. Whether that trade-off makes sense depends on how frequently you use healthcare and whether your providers accept Medicare assignment.

Compared to High-Deductible Plan G, standard Plan G carries a higher monthly premium but a much lower deductible threshold before full coverage applies. High-Deductible Plan G can cost as little as $30 to $60 per month in some markets, making it significantly more affordable upfront for healthy seniors willing to absorb more cost-sharing risk in exchange for lower premiums.

Compared to Medicare Advantage, Plan G will almost always carry a higher monthly premium since many Medicare Advantage plans are available at a $0 premium. But Medicare Advantage comes with network restrictions, variable cost-sharing, and out-of-pocket exposure each time you use care. The total annual cost comparison between Plan G and Medicare Advantage depends heavily on how much healthcare you actually use in a given year, which makes it an individual calculation rather than a universal answer.

Who Can Sign Up for Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Most people who are enrolled in Original Medicare are eligible to apply for Plan G, but there are a few important eligibility requirements and nuances worth understanding before you start the enrollment process.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

To enroll in Plan G, you must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Plan G is a supplement to Original Medicare, not a standalone product, so active Medicare enrollment is a prerequisite. Beyond that, the standard Medicare eligibility requirements apply.

• Age 65 or older: Most people become eligible for Medicare at 65. United States citizens and legal permanent residents who have lived in the country for at least five years qualify at that age.
• Work history for premium-free Part A: If you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years, you qualify for Part A without a monthly premium. If you have not met that threshold, you can still enroll in Medicare and Plan G, but you will pay a premium for Part A coverage.
• Under 65 with a qualifying disability: People under 65 who receive Social Security disability benefits for 24 months become eligible for Medicare and may be able to enroll in Plan G, depending on where they live. Not all states require insurers to sell Medigap plans to Medicare beneficiaries under 65, and those that do may allow different pricing or underwriting rules. Checking with your state insurance department is the most reliable way to understand what is available to you.
• ALS or end-stage renal disease: People diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or end-stage renal disease qualify for Medicare immediately, without the standard two-year waiting period that applies to other disabilities. They may also be eligible for Plan G depending on state rules.

Plan G and Pre-Existing Conditions

During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurers cannot deny you Plan G coverage or charge you higher premiums based on your health history or pre-existing conditions. That guaranteed access is one of the most important protections available to new Medicare enrollees and one of the strongest arguments for enrolling during that initial window rather than waiting.

Outside of the Open Enrollment Period, the situation changes significantly. In most states, insurers can require medical underwriting when you apply for Plan G outside of a guaranteed issue window. That means they can review your health history, charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions, or deny your application outright. The conditions that most commonly affect Medigap eligibility through underwriting include heart disease, diabetes, cancer history, chronic lung disease, and kidney disease, though the specific rules vary by carrier and state.

States With Different Rules

A handful of states have enacted consumer protections that go beyond federal Medigap rules, giving residents more flexibility to enroll in or switch Plan G coverage outside of the standard enrollment windows.

• Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, and New York require insurers to offer Medigap plans year-round without medical underwriting, regardless of when you apply or what your health history looks like.
• California, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Nevada, Oklahoma, and Oregon have birthday or anniversary rules that allow you to switch Medigap plans without underwriting once per year around your birthday or policy anniversary.
• Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own standardized Medigap plan structures that differ from the federal model, meaning Plan G as described in this guide may look different or go by a different name in those states.

If you live in any of these states, your enrollment options and protections may be meaningfully broader than what applies in states that follow the standard federal framework. Confirming the specific rules with your state insurance department or a licensed insurance agent before making any decisions is always the most reliable approach.

How and When Can You Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Timing your Plan G enrollment correctly is one of the most consequential decisions in the Medicare process. Get it right, and you have guaranteed access to comprehensive coverage at the best available rate. Get it wrong, and you may face higher premiums, limited options, or outright denial depending on your health history and the state you live in.

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period

The best time to enroll in Plan G is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window begins the month you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurers are required by federal law to sell you any Medigap plan they offer, including Plan G, without medical underwriting. They cannot deny your application, charge you higher premiums based on health conditions, or impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions.

That guaranteed access is the most valuable protection available to new Medicare enrollees, and it exists only during this initial window. Healthy people and those with significant health conditions pay the same premium for the same Plan G policy from the same carrier during Open Enrollment. Once that window closes, that equality disappears in most states.

One important clarification: your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is separate from the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period that runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The Medigap OEP is triggered by your personal Medicare enrollment, not by the calendar. Missing the annual enrollment period does not affect your Medigap OEP, and vice versa.

Enrolling Outside Your Open Enrollment Period

If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you can still apply for Plan G in most states, but the process is more complicated. Insurers can require you to go through medical underwriting, which means your health history becomes a factor in whether you are approved and what premium you pay. Common health conditions that can result in higher premiums or denial of coverage include heart disease, diabetes, chronic lung conditions, cancer history, and kidney disease, though the specific underwriting criteria vary by carrier.

Applying outside of your OEP does not automatically mean you will be denied or face dramatically higher costs — it depends on your health profile and the carrier you apply with. But it does introduce uncertainty that does not exist during the guaranteed issue window, which is why enrolling during your OEP whenever possible is consistently the advice of licensed insurance professionals who work with Medicare beneficiaries.

Guaranteed Issue Rights

Outside of the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, there are specific situations that trigger guaranteed issue rights, allowing you to enroll in Plan G without medical underwriting even after your initial window has closed. These situations include:

• Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your service area or exits the market entirely.
• You move out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s coverage area.
• Your employer or union coverage that supplemented Medicare ends.
• Your current Medigap insurer goes bankrupt or otherwise loses its ability to pay claims.
• You are leaving a Medicare Advantage plan you enrolled in for the first time and want to return to Original Medicare within 12 months.

If any of these circumstances apply to you, you have a limited window — typically 63 days from the triggering event — to enroll in a new Medigap plan with guaranteed issue protections. Missing that window means reverting to standard underwriting rules in most states.

Switching From Medicare Advantage to Plan G

If you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to Original Medicare with Plan G, the process requires a few steps and some careful timing. You first need to return to Original Medicare, which you can do during the Annual Enrollment Period from October 15 through December 7 or during the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 through March 31. Once you have returned to Original Medicare, you can apply for Plan G.

The timing challenge is that switching from Medicare Advantage to a Medigap plan outside of a guaranteed issue window means facing medical underwriting in most states. There are exceptions — if you enrolled in Medicare Advantage for the first time and switch back to Original Medicare within 12 months, you have a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medigap plan. Some states also offer additional protections beyond the federal baseline. But for most people making this switch after an extended period on Medicare Advantage, underwriting is a real consideration that can affect both eligibility and cost.

How to Actually Enroll

Enrolling in Plan G is straightforward once you have identified the carrier and plan you want. Most major carriers allow you to enroll online, by phone, or through a licensed insurance agent. The application typically asks for basic personal information, your Medicare ID number, and, depending on when you are applying, answers to health history questions if underwriting applies.

Working with an independent insurance agent who represents multiple carriers is often the most efficient approach, particularly if you are comparing premiums across several companies. An independent agent can pull quotes from multiple carriers simultaneously, explain the rating methodology each carrier uses, and help you understand any state-specific rules that affect your options. Their services are generally free to you since they are compensated by the insurer when you enroll.

What Medicare Supplement Plans Are Alternatives to Plan G?

Plan G is the right fit for a lot of people, but it is not the only option worth considering. Depending on your health, budget, and how you use healthcare, one of the following alternatives may deliver better value for your specific situation. Here is an honest look at the most relevant Medigap alternatives and who each one tends to serve best.

Plan F

Plan F is the only Medigap plan that covers more than Plan G, and the difference is limited to one benefit: the Medicare Part B deductible. For people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, Plan F is still available and worth evaluating alongside Plan G. The comparison comes down to whether the premium difference between the two plans is greater or less than $257 per year. In many markets, it is, which means Plan G members often come out ahead financially even after paying the deductible themselves.

For anyone who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, Plan F is simply not an option. Plan G is the most comprehensive plan available to that population, which is a significant part of why its enrollment has grown so substantially in recent years.

Plan N

Plan N is the most popular alternative to Plan G among cost-conscious seniors, and for good reason. Premiums for Plan N are typically lower than Plan G, sometimes significantly so, making it an attractive option for people who want solid coverage without the higher monthly cost that comes with Plan G’s more comprehensive protection.

The trade-offs are real but manageable for the right person. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges, meaning you could owe up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate if your provider does not accept Medicare assignment. It also includes copayments of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. And like Plan G, it does not cover the Part B deductible.

Plan N tends to work particularly well for seniors in states where excess charges are prohibited by law, since that gap in coverage becomes irrelevant. It is also a strong fit for people who see their primary care doctor regularly but rarely visit specialists or the emergency room, where the copayments would accumulate most noticeably.

High-Deductible Plan G

High-Deductible Plan G offers the same comprehensive benefits as standard Plan G but requires you to pay all Medicare-covered costs out of pocket until you reach a deductible of $2,950 in 2026. Once that threshold is met, coverage kicks in at the same level as standard Plan G for the remainder of the year.

The appeal is straightforward. Premiums for High-Deductible Plan G can be dramatically lower than standard Plan G, sometimes less than half the monthly cost in competitive markets. For seniors in good health who rarely need significant medical care, the lower premium can result in meaningful annual savings, even accounting for the possibility of meeting the full deductible in a bad health year.

The risk is equally straightforward. If you do need significant care in a given year, you absorb up to $2,950 before coverage steps in. That exposure is manageable for seniors with adequate savings set aside for healthcare costs, but it represents a meaningful financial risk for those on tighter fixed incomes who could not comfortably cover that deductible if it came due.

Plan K and Plan L

Plans K and L occupy a different part of the Medigap spectrum, offering partial rather than full coverage of most Medicare cost-sharing gaps in exchange for significantly lower premiums. Plan K covers 50% of most covered benefits, while Plan L covers 75%. Both plans include an annual out-of-pocket limit: $8,000 for Plan K and $4,000 for Plan L in 2026, after which the plan pays 100% of covered costs for the rest of the year.

These plans are less commonly chosen than Plan G, Plan N, or High-Deductible Plan G, but they can make sense for seniors who want a lower premium and are comfortable with more cost-sharing exposure up to a defined annual ceiling. They are worth understanding as part of the full Medigap landscape, even if they are not the right fit for most people comparing options against Plan G.

Medicare Advantage as an Alternative

Medicare Advantage is not a Medigap plan, but it comes up in virtually every conversation about Plan G alternatives because it represents a fundamentally different approach to filling Medicare’s gaps. Rather than supplementing Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage replaces it entirely through a private insurer, typically bundling hospital coverage, outpatient coverage, drug coverage, and supplemental benefits, like dental and vision, into a single plan.

The appeal for many seniors is the cost. Many Medicare Advantage plans carry $0 monthly premiums, which looks dramatically more attractive than Plan G premiums that can run $150 or more per month. The trade-offs are real, though. Medicare Advantage ties you to a provider network, often requires referrals for specialist access, and comes with variable cost-sharing each time you use care. Total annual costs under Medicare Advantage can exceed what Plan G members pay in high-utilization years, even accounting for the premium difference.

The right choice between Plan G and Medicare Advantage depends on your health needs, how frequently you use care, whether you have established provider relationships you want to maintain, and how much you value the flexibility to access care anywhere in the country without network restrictions. Neither option is universally better. They serve different priorities, and understanding those trade-offs clearly is the starting point for making the decision that fits your situation.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan G Right for You?

Plan G has become the most popular Medigap plan among new Medicare enrollees because it delivers something genuinely valuable: near-complete financial protection from the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind, with the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider in the country and no network restrictions standing between you and the care you need.

The case for Plan G is strongest for seniors who use healthcare regularly, manage chronic conditions, see specialists frequently, or simply want the predictability of knowing what their healthcare will cost before the year begins. Pay your monthly premium and the $257 annual Part B deductible, and covered services are paid in full. For most people in that situation, the higher premium relative to Plan N or High-Deductible Plan G is justified by the coverage depth and financial certainty Plan G provides.

Plan G is less compelling for seniors in excellent health who rarely need significant medical care, those on tight fixed incomes where the premium stretches the budget, or those who want bundled dental, vision, hearing, and drug coverage in a single plan without managing multiple policies. For those situations, High-Deductible Plan G, Plan N, or Medicare Advantage may be worth a closer look before committing to standard Plan G.

A few things are worth keeping in mind as you make this decision. The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, when insurers cannot factor your health history into their decision to cover you or what they charge. Missing that window introduces underwriting risk that can make Plan G harder or more expensive to obtain later. And because Plan G benefits are federally standardized, comparing premiums across multiple carriers in your specific ZIP code is the single most effective thing you can do to reduce what you pay for identical coverage.

Consumers report that the seniors most satisfied with their Medigap coverage are those who took the time to compare options carefully, enrolled during their guaranteed issue window, and chose a carrier with a strong track record of rate stability rather than simply the lowest introductory premium. Those decisions pay dividends not just in the first year but across the full arc of retirement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medicare Supplement Plan G

Is Medicare Plan G the same as Medicare Part G?

Yes and no. There is no official Medicare Part G. Medicare’s parts are A, B, C, and D. Plan G refers to a Medicare Supplement plan — also called Medigap Plan G — that is sold by private insurers to cover gaps in Original Medicare. When people search for “Medicare Part G” they are almost always looking for information about Medicare Supplement Plan G, which is what this guide covers.

Can I use Plan G with a Medicare Advantage plan?

No. Medigap plans, including Plan G, are designed to work with Original Medicare only. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you cannot use a Medigap plan alongside it. The two are mutually exclusive coverage structures. To use Plan G, you need to be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B.

Does Plan G cover ambulance services?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers medically necessary ambulance services, and Plan G covers the 20% coinsurance that would otherwise be your responsibility after Medicare pays its 80% share. Once you have met your Part B deductible for the year, ambulance services covered by Medicare are covered in full under Plan G.

Does Plan G cover mental health services?

Yes. Medicare Part B covers outpatient mental health services, including therapy visits and psychiatric care, and Plan G covers the 20% coinsurance for those services just as it does for other Part B-covered services. Inpatient psychiatric care is covered under Part A, and Plan G covers the associated Part A coinsurance and deductible as it does for other inpatient stays.

Can my Plan G premium increase after I enroll?

Yes. Plan G premiums are not fixed for life. Most plans are priced on an attained-age basis, meaning premiums increase as you get older. Premiums can also increase due to general rate adjustments that carriers make across their entire Plan G membership pool, independent of your individual age. Choosing a carrier with a strong history of moderate, predictable rate increases is one of the most important factors in long-term Plan G affordability, which is why rate stability should be part of your comparison alongside the initial premium.

Is Plan G available in every state?

Plan G is available in most states, but residents of Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin shop for Medigap coverage under different state-specific standardized plan structures that do not use the federal A through N labeling system. If you live in one of those states, the coverage equivalent to Plan G may exist under a different name or structure. Checking with your state insurance department or a licensed insurance agent familiar with your state’s rules is the most reliable starting point.

What is the difference between Plan G and Plan G Select?

Some carriers offer a Plan G Select variant that provides the same benefits as standard Plan G but restricts you to a specific network of preferred providers in exchange for a lower premium. If you use providers outside that network, your coverage may be reduced, or you may face higher cost-sharing. Plan G Select can be a good option for seniors who are comfortable with network restrictions and want to reduce their monthly premium, but it sacrifices the unlimited provider flexibility that is one of standard Plan G’s most valuable features.

The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MedicareGuide.com or HealthCare, Inc.