Medicare Plan G is a Medigap policy that covers most of what Original Medicare leaves unpaid

Medicare Plan G is a standardized Medigap insurance policy sold by private insurers. It pays the coinsurance and copayments that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) requires you to pay, plus some costs Medicare does not cover at all. Plan G does not replace Medicare — it works alongside it to reduce what comes out of your pocket when you use covered medical services.

Plan G is one of ten standardized Medigap plans available, and it ranks among the most comprehensive. The exact coverage is the same no matter which insurance company sells it to you; the difference is only in the monthly premium you pay. Plan G became the most popular choice for people turning 65 after 2020, because Medicare rules changed the way Medigap plans can cover the Part B deductible.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan G covers the Part B coinsurance (usually 20 percent of the cost of doctor visits and outpatient services) after you meet your deductible.
  • Plan G covers the Part A coinsurance for hospital stays, which can run into thousands of dollars for stays longer than 60 days.
  • Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible (currently $240 per year), so you pay that amount before Plan G starts paying anything for doctor visits.
  • Plan G covers emergency medical care outside the United States, which Original Medicare does not cover at all.
  • Plan G premiums vary by age, location, and insurance company, and can range from under $100 to over $300 per month depending on where you live.

What Plan G covers in detail

Part A hospital coinsurance and copayments: If you stay in the hospital longer than 60 days in a benefit period, Medicare stops paying and you owe coinsurance. Plan G covers all of this coinsurance — for days 61 through 90, you owe $400 per day; for days 91 and beyond (up to 365 days), you owe $800 per day. Plan G pays both amounts. It also covers the copayment for skilled nursing facility care after a hospital stay (days 21 through 100).

Part B coinsurance: After you meet the Part B deductible, Medicare covers 80 percent of the cost of doctor visits, lab work, imaging, and outpatient surgery. You owe the remaining 20 percent. Plan G covers this 20 percent coinsurance for all Part B services.

Part B excess charges: Some doctors do not accept Medicare's approved amount as payment in full and bill you for the difference. Plan G covers up to 15 percent of the Medicare-approved amount (the law caps it at 15 percent). This protection matters most if you see doctors in states where excess billing is common.

Blood: Medicare covers blood transfusions but you owe a copayment for the first three pints. Plan G covers this copayment.

Foreign travel emergency care: If you become ill or injured while traveling outside the United States, Original Medicare does not pay. Plan G covers 80 percent of the cost of emergency medical care during the first 60 days of a trip, up to a lifetime limit of $50,000.

What Plan G does not cover

The Part B deductible: This is the main gap in Plan G coverage. You must pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly) before Plan G begins to pay for any doctor visits or outpatient services. Plan F, an older Medigap plan, covered this deductible, but Plan F is no longer sold to people new to Medicare.

Services Medicare does not cover: Plan G only covers what Original Medicare covers. It does not pay for dental care, vision exams, hearing aids, long-term care, or routine foot care. If you want coverage for these services, you need a separate policy or must pay out of pocket.

Medicare Part D prescription drugs: Plan G does not include prescription drug coverage. You must enroll in a separate Part D plan through Medicare, or you may face a penalty if you go without coverage for more than 63 days in a row.

How much Plan G costs

Plan G premiums vary widely based on your age, your location, and which insurance company sells the policy. In some areas, Plan G costs under $120 per month; in others, it exceeds $300 per month. The only way to know the actual cost in your area is to contact insurers directly or use Medicare's Plan Finder tool.

Premiums also rise over time. Most insurers use one of three rating methods: attained age (your premium rises as you get older), issue age (your premium is locked based on your age when you buy the plan, then rises with inflation), or community rating (everyone in your area pays the same, regardless of age). Ask each insurer which method they use before you buy.

You pay the premium directly to the insurance company, not to Medicare. This is separate from your Part B premium, which you pay to Medicare.

When you can buy Plan G

The best time to buy Plan G is during your Medigap open enrollment period, which runs for six months starting the month you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge more based on your health history. If you miss this window, insurers can refuse to sell you Plan G or charge you a higher premium based on pre-existing conditions.

If you already have a different Medigap plan, you can switch to Plan G at any time, but you may face medical underwriting and higher premiums if you are outside your open enrollment period. Some states have additional protections that allow switching without underwriting; check with your state insurance commissioner's office.

Plan G versus other Medigap options

Plan G is not the only choice. Plan N covers similar services but has small copayments for doctor visits ($20) and emergency room visits ($50), and does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan N premiums are usually lower than Plan G, so the trade-off is whether you want to pay less monthly but more at the doctor's office.

Plan D, Plan L, and Plan M are less comprehensive and cost less per month, but leave you with higher out-of-pocket costs when you use medical services. Plan F (the old gold standard) is no longer sold to new Medicare beneficiaries, only to those who had it before 2020.

If you prefer a network-based plan with lower premiums, Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a separate option that replaces Original Medicare entirely. It typically costs less per month but requires you to use in-network doctors and may have higher copayments and deductibles.

How to compare Plan G quotes

Start by visiting Medicare.gov and using the Plan Finder tool. Enter your zip code and the tool will show you all Medigap plans available in your area, along with premiums from each insurer. You can compare Plan G side by side with other plans.

Call insurers directly for quotes as well — some do not list all their plans online. Ask each one: What is the monthly premium? Which rating method do you use? Do you offer any discounts (some insurers offer discounts for paying by automatic bank transfer or for bundling with other policies)? What is your customer service phone number?

Write down the quotes and the effective dates. Premiums change, so get quotes that are current. Once you choose a plan, you can enroll by phone, mail, or online through the insurer's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to have Plan G, or can I use Medicare Advantage instead?

No, Plan G is optional. You can stay with Original Medicare alone (and pay more out of pocket), or you can choose Medicare Advantage, which is a different type of plan run by private insurers. Medicare Advantage often costs less per month but limits you to in-network doctors and may have higher copayments. The choice depends on your budget and your doctors.

If I buy Plan G, do I still pay my Part B premium to Medicare?

Yes. Plan G is supplemental insurance — it works alongside Original Medicare, not instead of it. You pay your Part B premium to Medicare and your Plan G premium to the insurance company. Both are separate bills.

What happens to my Plan G if I move to a different state?

Your current Plan G policy ends when you move. You will need to buy a new Plan G policy from an insurer in your new state. You have a 60-day window to buy a new Medigap plan without medical underwriting if you are moving out of your insurer's service area. Contact your current insurer to confirm the exact end date of your coverage.

Can Plan G deny me coverage because of a pre-existing condition?

Not during your Medigap open enrollment period (the six months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B). Outside that window, insurers can deny you or charge more. Some states have additional protections; contact your state insurance commissioner's office to learn what applies where you live.

Does Plan G cover dental, vision, or hearing?

No. Plan G covers only what Original Medicare covers, and Original Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision, or hearing services. You would need a separate dental, vision, or hearing plan, or you pay out of pocket.