Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans work with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to help pay costs that Medicare leaves behind. Two of the most common choices are Plan G and Plan N. Both can lower surprise bills, but they do it in different ways. In 2026, those “gaps” can be real: the Part B deductible is $283, and Part A has a hospital deductible of $1,736 per benefit period.
Plan G aims for fewer bills later (after one key deductible).
Plan N often costs less each month but uses small copays and has a coverage limit.
By the end of this guide, you’ll know which style fits your budget and habits.
Medicare Gaps You Still Pay
Original Medicare is solid coverage, but it does not cap your yearly spending. Part B usually pays 80% of approved outpatient costs after you meet the deductible, leaving you with 20% coinsurance. That 20% can add up with imaging, outpatient surgery, or ongoing therapy. Part A can also bring large bills fast if you have a hospital stay, since the inpatient deductible is charged per benefit period.
A $10,000 Part B outpatient bill could leave you with a balance of nearly $2,000 after the deductible.
A hospital admission can trigger the $1,736 deductible right away in 2026.
Medigap Plan G and Plan N are both designed to smooth out these costs.
What Plan G Pays For
Plan G is often chosen because it pays almost every common “gap” in Parts A and B, with one big exception: you still pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). After you pay that deductible, Plan G typically covers the Part B coinsurance, so many doctor and outpatient bills become very predictable. It also covers Part A hospital coinsurance and extra hospital days after Medicare runs out, along with other common Part A cost-sharing items.
You pay $283 once (if you use Part B services).
Then, Plan G can cover the 20% Part B share on Medicare-approved costs.
This is why Plan G feels “set it and forget it” for many people.
What Plan N Pays For
Plan N covers a lot like Plan G, but it trades a lower monthly premium (often) for small pay-as-you-go costs and one important coverage gap. You still pay the Part B deductible in 2026, and Plan N may charge up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don’t lead to admission. Medicare’s own chart notes that Plan N pays Part B costs except for those copays.
Office visit copay: up to $20 for certain visits.
ER copay: up to $50, often waived if you’re admitted.
If you don’t see the doctor often, those small copays may not bother you much.
The Big Difference: Excess Charges
Here’s the detail that surprises people: Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges, while Plan G does. Excess charges can happen if you see a provider who doesn’t accept Medicare assignment (a “non-participating” provider). In many cases, Medicare limits this extra amount to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount, called the “limiting charge.”
If a service is approved at $200, the bill could be up to $230.
With Plan N, that extra $30 may be on you; with Plan G, it’s commonly covered.
If your doctors all accept the assignment, this difference may never show up. If not, it matters.
Cost Comparison with Simple Math
Because premiums vary by area, company, age, and rating method, a simple way to compare is “premium savings vs likely copays.” Start by estimating how many visits you expect in a typical year, then compare that to the monthly premium gap between G and N.
Example: If Plan N saves you $35/month, that’s $420/year.
If you have 10 office visits with $20 copays, that’s up to $200.
Then consider excess charges risk: if you occasionally use non-participating providers, even a few services can erase the savings. The best pick is the one that stays cheaper in your most likely year, not the perfect year.
Think About Your Care Style
Your daily habits can point you toward the right plan faster than a spreadsheet. If you like open access to specialists, travel often, or want fewer bills to sort through, Plan G may feel easier. If you mainly do routine care and don’t mind a few small copays, Plan N can be a good fit. Medicare doesn’t put an annual out-of-pocket cap on Original Medicare, so the plan that reduces your exposure matters.
Frequent visits, labs, or outpatient therapy often push people toward Plan G.
Infrequent care and a “pay a little when I use it” mindset often fit Plan N.
Also, ask your clinic: “Do you accept Medicare assignment?” That one answer can shift the decision.
Enrollment Timing Matters Most
Even the right plan can get harder to buy if you wait. Under federal law, you get a 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starting the first month you have Part B and are 65 or older. During this time, companies generally can’t deny you or charge more due to health conditions.
The 6 months start with your Part B effective month, not your birthday month.
After that window, medical underwriting may apply in many states.
So if you’re deciding between G and N, it’s smart to do it during that protected window. If you switch later, rules can be stricter, depending on your state and situation.
High-Deductible Plan G Note
Some states offer a high-deductible version of Plan G. It can look tempting because the premium is lower, but you must pay Medicare-covered costs out of pocket until you reach the high deductible amount. In 2026, the high deductible is $2,950.
If you rarely use care, the lower premium might win out.
If you have a year with major outpatient services, you could pay up to $2,950 before the plan pays.
This option is best for people who can handle a larger “worst-case” bill without stress. If that number keeps you up at night, standard Plan G or Plan N may fit better.
Quick Checklist Before You Choose
A clear choice often comes from a few practical questions. Bring these to your agent or use them when comparing quotes. Your goal is not to guess the future perfectly, but to avoid regret in an average year.
Do my doctors accept Medicare assignment (so excess charges are unlikely)?
How many office visits do I expect (and am I fine with up to $20 copays)?
Would paying the Part B deductible ($283) early in the year bother me?
If you answered “I want fewer moving parts,” Plan G often fits. If you answered “I’d rather save monthly and pay small copays,” Plan N often fits.
Final Choice and Simple Next Step
Plan G is usually the pick for people who want steadier bills after they pay the Part B deductible. Plan N can work well for people who expect fewer visits, want a lower premium, and have providers who accept Medicare assignment. Remember the key 2026 numbers: $283 Part B deductible, $1,736 Part A hospital deductible, and Plan N copays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some ER visits.
If excess charges worry you, Plan G reduces that risk.
If you’re healthy and cost-focused, Plan N may be enough.
For help comparing quotes and picking a plan that fits your habits, reach out to Savvy Medicare Strategies.