If you've started comparing Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans, you've almost certainly run into Plan G and Plan N. They're the two most popular options sold today, and on paper the choice looks simple: Plan N has a lower premium, so it must save you money. In practice, it depends entirely on how much care you use in a given year. Let's break down exactly where the two plans differ and how to think about the tradeoff.
What Plan G and Plan N have in common
Both plans are standardized — a Plan G from one carrier covers the same benefits as a Plan G from any other carrier, and the same is true for Plan N. Only the premium and the company differ, which is exactly why comparing carriers matters. Both plans also cover the same core protections:
- The Part A hospital deductible and coinsurance
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- The first three pints of blood each year
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- 80% of foreign travel emergency costs (up to plan limits)
Where the two plans split is what happens after Medicare pays its share and you head to the doctor's office or the ER.
Where Plan G and Plan N differ
| Plan G | Plan N | |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly premium | Higher | Lower |
| Part B deductible | You pay (small annual amount) | You pay (small annual amount) |
| Office visit copay | None | Up to $20 per visit |
| ER visit copay | None | Up to $50 (waived if admitted) |
| Part B excess charges | Covered in full | Not covered — you pay them |
| Best for | Maximum predictability, frequent care | Lower premium, occasional care |
What are Part B excess charges?
In states that allow it, a doctor who doesn't "accept assignment" can legally bill up to 15% more than Medicare's approved amount for a service. Plan G absorbs that extra cost for you; Plan N does not, so you'd owe it out of pocket. Several states prohibit excess charges outright, which makes this a smaller factor there — but if you live somewhere that allows them and you see providers who bill this way, it's worth weighing seriously.
Running the actual math
Because Plan N's premium is lower every single month, the real question is how many office visits and ER trips would it take for those copays to erase the savings. For someone in good health who sees a doctor once or twice a year, Plan N's copays typically stay well below the premium difference, making it the lower-cost option. For someone managing several chronic conditions with frequent specialist visits, those $20 copays add up fast, and Plan G's flat, predictable cost can come out ahead — even before factoring in excess charges.
There's no universal answer, because it depends on your carrier's specific premiums in your ZIP code and your expected number of visits. That's the calculation we run for you, using real quotes rather than national averages.
Get your actual Plan G and Plan N numbers
We'll pull real quotes from multiple carriers for your ZIP code and show you the break-even point — free, no pressure.
Compare my Plan G & Plan N quotesOther things to weigh besides price
- Simplicity vs. tracking copays. Some people would rather pay more each month and never think about a bill again. That alone can justify Plan G for some households.
- Rate increase history. Because Plan N is newer and often attracts a younger, healthier pool of enrollees, its rate-increase patterns can differ from Plan G's over time. We can walk through a carrier's track record with you.
- Your drug coverage. Neither plan includes prescriptions — you'll pair either one with a standalone Part D plan, and we compare those against your medication list too.
When to lock in your choice
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the six months starting the month you're 65 and enrolled in Part B — is when you have guaranteed-issue rights and can't be turned down or charged more for your health. Outside that window, switching between Plan G and Plan N later may involve medical underwriting in most states. It's worth thinking through your likely healthcare use now rather than assuming you can freely change plans down the road.
How Honorbrook helps
We're an independent agency appointed with multiple Medigap carriers, so we're not steering you toward one company's Plan G or Plan N. We pull real premiums for your ZIP code, show you the break-even math in plain numbers, and help you weigh the non-price factors too. Our help is always free — carriers pay us, and your premium is identical whether you enroll through us or on your own.
This article is general information, not insurance advice. Rules, premiums, and excess-charge laws vary by state — a licensed agent can review your specific situation.
Medicare help in your state
Honorbrook is licensed in the 11 states below. Plan availability, costs and some rules vary by state and county, so call us at (571) 354-0146 for what applies where you live.