Part G does not exist in Medicare's standard coverage structure

Medicare has four main parts: Part A (hospital care), Part B (doctor visits and outpatient services), Part D (prescription drugs), and Part C (Medicare Advantage plans). There is no Part G in the official Medicare program. If you have seen "Part G" mentioned, it may refer to a supplemental insurance plan (also called Medigap) with a letter designation, or it could be a misunderstanding of how Medicare's parts are named.

The confusion often happens because Medigap plans are labeled with letters — Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, Plan D, Plan F, Plan G, Plan K, Plan L, Plan M, and Plan N. Plan G is a real Medigap option, but it is not a "part" of Medicare itself. It is a separate insurance policy sold by private companies that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover costs that Medicare does not pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Medicare has four official parts (A, B, C, and D); Part G does not exist as a Medicare part.
  • Medigap Plan G is a supplemental insurance policy that covers some out-of-pocket costs left after Original Medicare pays its share.
  • Plan G covers coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles for hospital and doctor visits, but you must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to buy it.
  • Medigap plans are sold by private insurance companies, not by Medicare, and premiums vary by insurer and location.

What Medigap Plan G actually covers

If you meant to ask about Medigap Plan G, this plan covers several costs that Original Medicare leaves you responsible for. These include the Part A hospital deductible, Part B coinsurance and copayments, blood transfusions, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance. Plan G does not cover everything — it does not pay for long-term care, dental, vision, or hearing aids — but it reduces the amount you pay out of pocket for the services Medicare does cover.

Plan G became the most popular Medigap choice for people who turned 65 on or after January 1, 2020. That is because Medicare changed the rules for new enrollees: they can no longer buy Plan F (which covered the Part B deductible), so Plan G became the next best option for people who want broad coverage of Medicare's gaps.

How Medigap Plan G differs from Medicare Advantage (Part C)

It is straightforward to mix up Medigap Plan G with Medicare Advantage because both are alternatives to Original Medicare. The difference is important: Medigap Plan G works with Original Medicare, while Medicare Advantage replaces it.

If you choose Medigap Plan G, you keep your Original Medicare coverage and your doctor can be any provider who accepts Medicare. You pay a monthly Medigap premium to the insurance company, plus your Medicare Part B premium to the government. Medicare Advantage, by contrast, is a single plan that replaces Parts A and B, usually includes Part D, and often has lower or no monthly premiums — but it comes with network restrictions and different out-of-pocket limits.

Who can buy Medigap Plan G and when

You must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B to buy any Medigap plan, including Plan G. You do not have to wait until age 65 — if you are on disability and have had Medicare for two years, you can buy Medigap. However, the best time to buy is during your Medigap open enrollment period, which is the six months starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you or charge you more based on your health history.

If you miss this window, you can still buy Plan G, but insurers may charge higher premiums or ask health questions. Some states have additional protections that extend the enrollment period or limit how much insurers can charge based on age or health, so the rules vary by location.

What Plan G costs and how premiums work

Medigap Plan G premiums vary widely depending on which insurance company sells it, where you live, and your age. There is no single "Plan G price" — the same plan costs different amounts from different insurers in the same town. Some insurers use age-attained pricing (your premium goes up as you get older), while others use issue-age pricing (your premium is based on your age when you first buy the plan and stays lower). A few use community rating (everyone in your area pays the same price regardless of age).

You will pay the Plan G premium every month in addition to your Medicare Part B premium. You will also still pay the Part B deductible before Plan G starts covering costs. The total out-of-pocket cost depends on how much medical care you use and which insurer you choose.

How to compare Medigap Plan G with other options

Before you decide on Plan G, compare it with other Medigap plans and with Medicare Advantage. Plan G offers broad coverage but costs more than Plans K, L, M, or N. If you rarely see doctors or use hospitals, a lower-premium plan might save you money overall. If you see many specialists or have ongoing health needs, Plan G's wider coverage may be worth the higher cost.

You can view and compare Medigap plans side by side on Medicare.gov. The site shows which companies sell Plan G in your area and lets you see premium ranges, though you will need to contact each company directly for exact prices. Some state health insurance counseling programs (called SHIPs) offer free help comparing plans by phone.

When you can switch from Plan G to another plan

You can switch Medigap plans, but the rules depend on your situation. If you are still in your Medigap open enrollment period (the six months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B), you can switch to any other Medigap plan without health questions or waiting periods. After that window closes, switching becomes harder: some states allow you to switch once a year, while others have no may provide switching rights. When you do switch outside the open enrollment period, the new insurer may charge more or deny you based on health conditions.

If you are in a Medicare Advantage plan and want to switch to Medigap Plan G instead, you have a one-time window called the Medigap open enrollment period (again, six months from when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B). After that, switching from Advantage to Medigap is much harder and may require health screening.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Part G the same as Medigap Plan G?

No. There is no "Part G" in Medicare. Medigap Plan G is a supplemental insurance plan sold by private companies. It works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover some of the costs Medicare does not pay. The confusion comes from the letter naming system used for Medigap plans.

Do I need Medigap Plan G if I have Medicare Advantage?

No. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is a complete replacement for Original Medicare, so you cannot buy Medigap on top of it. If you want Medigap Plan G, you must be in Original Medicare (Parts A and B) instead. You can switch from Advantage to Original Medicare plus Medigap, but only during certain windows.

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

You can still buy Plan G later, but insurers may charge you higher premiums or ask about your health history. Some states protect you from health-based denials or charges, but rules vary. The longer you wait after your open enrollment period ends, the more expensive Plan G typically becomes.

Can I use Medigap Plan G with any doctor?

Yes. Because Medigap Plan G works with Original Medicare, you can see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. There are no network restrictions like you would have with Medicare Advantage. Your doctor choice is the same as it would be with Original Medicare alone.

Does Medigap Plan G cover prescription drugs?

No. Medigap plans, including Plan G, do not cover prescription drugs. If you want drug coverage, you must enroll in Medicare Part D (a separate prescription drug plan) or choose a Medicare Advantage plan that includes drug coverage. You can have both Medigap Plan G and Part D at the same time.