Medicare Part G is a Medigap plan that covers costs Medicare Part B leaves behind

Medicare Part G is a standardized Medigap (supplemental insurance) plan sold by private insurers. It pays some of the costs that Original Medicare — Part A (hospital) and Part B (doctor visits) — does not cover. Part G specifically covers copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles that you would otherwise pay out of your own pocket when you use Medicare-covered services.

Part G is one of ten standardized Medigap plans available, each labeled A through N. The letter determines what costs are covered; a Part G plan from one insurance company covers the same benefits as a Part G plan from another company, though the monthly premium can differ. You buy Part G directly from a private insurance company, not from Medicare.

Part G does not cover services that Medicare itself does not cover — such as dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care. It also does not replace Medicare; you must be enrolled in Original Medicare Part A and Part B to use a Medigap plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Part G covers the Part B deductible, coinsurance for doctor visits and outpatient services, and copayments for hospital stays, reducing what you pay when you receive Medicare-covered care.
  • You must have Original Medicare Part A and Part B to buy Part G; it works alongside Medicare, not instead of it.
  • Part G is standardized, so the same plan from different insurers covers identical benefits, but premiums vary by company and location.
  • Part G does not cover services Medicare does not cover, such as dental, vision, hearing aids, prescription drugs, or long-term care.
  • You can switch to a different Medigap plan during your open enrollment period or if you lose employer coverage, though switching may involve medical underwriting.

What Part G covers in detail

Part G covers the Part B deductible — the amount you pay before Medicare Part B starts paying for doctor visits and outpatient services. In 2024, this deductible was $240, though the amount changes each year. With Part G, you do not pay this deductible yourself; the plan pays it.

Part G also covers coinsurance for Part B services. After you meet the deductible, Medicare Part B typically pays 80 percent of the cost of doctor visits, lab work, imaging, and outpatient procedures, and you pay 20 percent. Part G covers that 20 percent coinsurance, so you pay nothing when you use these services.

For hospital stays, Part G covers the daily copayment you would owe under Part A. If you stay in the hospital, Medicare Part A covers most costs, but you pay a copayment for each day after the 60th day of a hospital stay in a benefit period. Part G pays this copayment.

Part G also covers blood transfusions — specifically, the cost of the first three pints of blood you receive in a hospital or outpatient setting. Medicare Part B normally charges you for blood, and Part G covers this charge.

What Part G does not cover

Part G does not cover services that Original Medicare does not cover. This means it does not pay for dental work, vision care, hearing aids, or routine eye exams. If you need these services, you would need to buy separate coverage or pay out of pocket.

Prescription drugs are not covered by Part G. If you take medications, you need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan. Part G and Part D work independently; you buy them from different insurers.

Part G also does not cover long-term care — nursing home stays, assisted living, or in-home care for non-medical reasons. It does not cover medical care outside the United States, except in limited circumstances when traveling. And it does not cover services that are not medically necessary or that Medicare has determined are experimental.

How Part G premiums and costs work

You pay a monthly premium to the insurance company that sells you Part G. This premium is separate from your Medicare Part B premium, which you still pay to Medicare. The Part G premium varies by insurance company, your age, your location, and sometimes your health status (depending on when you enroll).

Insurance companies use different pricing methods. Some use community rating, meaning everyone in your area pays the same premium regardless of age. Others use age-rated pricing, where your premium increases as you get older. A few use issue-age rating, where your premium is based on your age when you first buy the plan and does not increase with age — though it may increase due to inflation or plan changes.

Even though Part G covers many out-of-pocket costs, you still pay the monthly premium, your Part B premium to Medicare, and any costs for services Medicare does not cover. The goal of Part G is to make your costs more predictable by covering the gaps Medicare leaves, not to eliminate all medical expenses.

When you can buy Part G and how to enroll

You can buy Part G during your Medigap open enrollment period, which begins the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this six-month window, insurance companies cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health history — a protection called may provide issue. This is the best time to buy Part G because you face no medical underwriting.

If you miss this window, you can still buy Part G at other times, but insurance companies may require medical underwriting. They can ask about your health history and may deny you coverage, charge you a higher premium, or exclude certain conditions. Some states have additional protections that extend may provide issue rights in certain situations, such as when you lose employer coverage.

To enroll, contact insurance companies directly or work with a licensed insurance agent. You can find insurers selling Medigap plans in your area through Medicare.gov or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. You will need your Medicare card and information about your current coverage.

Part G compared to other Medigap plans

Part G is one of the most popular Medigap plans because it covers many common out-of-pocket costs. However, it is not the only option. Plan F covers everything Part G covers, plus the Part B excess charges (charges some doctors add above Medicare's approved amount) and the Part B deductible in a different way. Plan F is no longer sold to people newly may be able to access for Medicare after 2020, but people who had it before that date can keep it.

Plan N is less expensive than Part G but covers fewer costs. With Plan N, you pay a copayment for doctor visits and emergency room visits, and you may pay coinsurance for hospital stays. Plan N does not cover the Part B excess charges. The trade-off is a lower monthly premium.

Plan A is the most basic Medigap option and has the lowest premium, but it covers fewer costs than Part G. Plans D, G, M, and K offer different combinations of coverage at different price points. The right plan depends on your health needs, how often you see doctors, and your budget.

Switching from Part G to another plan

You can switch to a different Medigap plan during your annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. Changes take effect January 1. You can also switch if you lose employer coverage or move out of your insurance company's service area.

If you switch outside your Medigap open enrollment period, the new insurance company may require medical underwriting and can charge you more or deny coverage based on your health. To avoid this, try to switch during the annual open enrollment window or within 63 days of losing other coverage.

When you switch, your old plan ends on the date your new plan begins. You do not have a gap in coverage if you time the switch correctly. Contact your new insurance company to confirm the effective date before you cancel your old plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Part G cover my doctor's visit copayment?

Part G covers your coinsurance (usually 20 percent) for doctor visits and outpatient services after you meet the Part B deductible. It does not charge a copayment; instead, Medicare Part B uses coinsurance. Once you meet the deductible, Part G pays the 20 percent you would normally owe.

Can I use Part G with a Medicare Advantage plan?

No. Medigap plans, including Part G, work only with Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you cannot buy a Medigap plan. You would need to switch back to Original Medicare first, which you can do during the annual open enrollment period.

What happens if I do not buy Part G during my open enrollment period?

You can still buy Part G later, but the insurance company may ask about your health and can charge you more or deny coverage. Some states protect you if you lose employer coverage or move. If you think you may have access to for protection, contact your state insurance commissioner's office.

Does Part G cover my prescriptions?

No. Part G does not cover prescription drugs. You need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover medications. You can buy Part D from any insurance company, and it works alongside Part G.

How much does Part G cost per month?

Part G premiums vary widely by insurance company, your age, and your location. Premiums can range from under $100 to over $300 per month, and they change each year. Compare quotes from multiple insurers in your area to find the best price for the coverage you need.