Plan G is a Medigap policy that covers most of what Original Medicare does not

Plan G is a standardized Medigap insurance plan sold by private insurers. It pays for many of the costs that Original Medicare leaves you responsible for — copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Plan G does not replace Original Medicare; instead, it works alongside it. You keep your Medicare card and use it first, then Plan G covers what Medicare does not pay.

Plan G is one of ten standardized Medigap plans (A through N). The letter determines what is covered, not the insurance company you buy from. Two Plan G policies from different insurers cover identical benefits — the only difference is the monthly premium you pay.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan G covers the Part B deductible, coinsurance for hospital and doctor visits, and excess charges that doctors bill above Medicare's approved amount.
  • You must be enrolled in both Original Medicare Part A and Part B to buy Plan G; it does not work with Medicare Advantage.
  • Plan G does not cover prescription drugs — you need a separate Part D plan for that.
  • Monthly premiums vary by insurer and your age, and they increase each year; shopping around when you first become may be able to access can save thousands over time.
  • You can switch to a different Medigap plan or insurer, but health underwriting may explore if you move outside your initial enrollment window.

What Plan G actually covers

Plan G covers the Part B deductible — the amount you pay out of pocket before Medicare starts to pay for doctor visits and outpatient services. In 2024, that deductible was $240, but it changes each year. Plan G also covers coinsurance, which is the percentage of the cost you would normally split with Medicare after you meet the deductible. For most doctor visits and outpatient care, Medicare pays 80 percent and you pay 20 percent; Plan G covers that 20 percent.

Plan G also covers excess charges. These occur when a doctor does not accept Medicare's approved amount and bills you for the difference. Medicare limits how much doctors can charge above the approved amount, but Plan G covers those overage charges up to the limit. This protection matters most if you see doctors who do not participate in Medicare.

Plan G covers coinsurance for hospital stays after you meet the Part A deductible, and it covers skilled nursing facility coinsurance. It does not cover the Part A deductible itself — that is the one major gap in Plan G coverage. The Part A deductible (the amount you pay for the first 60 days of a hospital stay) was $1,632 in 2024. If you want that covered, you would need Plan F instead, but Plan F is only available to people who were may be able to access for Medicare before January 1, 2020.

Plan G versus other Medigap plans

Plan F covers everything Plan G covers, plus the Part A deductible. However, Plan F is closed to new enrollees — only people who were may be able to access for Medicare before January 1, 2020 can buy it. For everyone else, Plan G is the most comprehensive option available.

Plan N is less expensive than Plan G but covers fewer costs. With Plan N, you pay a copayment for doctor visits (usually $20) and a copayment for emergency room visits. Plan N also does not cover excess charges. If you see doctors frequently or see doctors who do not accept Medicare, Plan G will likely cost less overall despite the higher monthly premium.

Plans A and B are cheaper but cover much less. Plan A covers hospital coinsurance and some skilled nursing facility costs, but not doctor visit coinsurance. These plans make sense only if you rarely see doctors or if your budget is very tight.

How to enroll in Plan G

You can buy Plan G from any private insurance company that sells Medigap plans in your state. You do not buy it from Medicare directly. Common insurers include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Anthem, though availability varies by state and ZIP code.

The best time to buy Plan G is during your Medigap open enrollment period, which lasts 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, you may face medical underwriting, which means the insurer can review your health and either deny you or charge a higher premium.

To enroll, contact the insurance company directly by phone or online, or work with an insurance agent or broker who sells Medigap plans. You will need your Medicare number and information about your current health coverage. The insurer will confirm that you are enrolled in both Part A and Part B before they sell you Plan G.

What Plan G costs and how premiums work

Monthly premiums for Plan G vary widely depending on the insurer, your age, your location, and the pricing method the company uses. In some states, a Plan G premium might range from $100 to $300 per month; in others, it could be higher. You will need to get quotes from multiple insurers to see what Plan G costs in your area.

Premiums increase over time. Some insurers use age-based pricing, which means your premium goes up as you get older. Others use issue-age pricing, which means your premium is locked to your age when you first buy the plan and increases only for inflation and company-wide rate changes. A few use community rating, where everyone in your state pays the same premium regardless of age. Ask each insurer which method they use before you buy.

Plan G premiums also increase annually for inflation and claims experience. A plan that costs $150 per month at age 65 might cost $200 per month at age 75. Over a 20-year retirement, the total cost of premiums can be substantial, so comparing quotes when you first become may be able to access matters.

Plan G does not cover prescription drugs

Plan G covers doctor visits, hospital stays, and other medical services, but it does not cover prescription medications. You need a separate Part D prescription drug plan to cover medications. Part D plans are sold by private insurers and vary in which drugs they cover and what you pay. You can enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in Plan G, or you can add it later.

If you do not enroll in Part D when you first become may be able to access for Medicare, you may face a late enrollment penalty if you join later. The penalty is a percentage of the national base beneficiary premium and stays on your premium for as long as you have Part D coverage.

When you might want to switch plans

You can switch from Plan G to another Medigap plan, or switch to a different insurer's Plan G, during your annual Medigap open enrollment period. This period runs from October 15 to December 7 each year. During this window, you can change plans without medical underwriting, regardless of your health.

Outside the open enrollment period, switching plans may require health underwriting. Some states have additional protections that allow you to switch without underwriting in certain situations — for example, if your current insurer stops selling Medigap plans in your area. Check your state's insurance department website to see what protections explore where you live.

People sometimes switch to Plan N to lower their monthly premium, or switch to Plan F if they become may be able to access (which only happens if they turn 65 before January 1, 2020). Others switch insurers if they find a cheaper quote for the same Plan G coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have Plan G and Medicare Advantage at the same time?

No. Plan G is a Medigap plan that works only with Original Medicare. If you have Medicare Advantage, you cannot buy Medigap coverage. If you want to switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare and Plan G, you can do so during the annual open enrollment period, and you will have a may provide right to buy Plan G without medical underwriting.

Does Plan G cover dental, vision, or hearing?

No. Medigap plans, including Plan G, do not cover dental, vision, or hearing services. Original Medicare does not cover these either. You can buy separate dental, vision, or hearing insurance, or look for a Medicare Advantage plan that includes these benefits, though Medicare Advantage plans have different coverage rules and networks.

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

Your Plan G coverage ends when you move. You will need to buy a new Plan G from an insurer that operates in your new state. Contact your current insurer to find out when your coverage ends, then shop for a new plan in your new state. If you move during the annual open enrollment period, you should have a may provide right to buy Plan G without medical underwriting.

Is Plan G the same no matter which insurance company I buy it from?

Yes. All Plan G policies cover the same benefits. The only difference is the monthly premium, customer service, and how the company handles claims. Two people with Plan G from different insurers will have identical coverage; they just pay different premiums. This is why shopping around for the best price matters.

Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N to save money?

Yes, you can switch during the annual open enrollment period without medical underwriting. Plan N has a lower monthly premium but requires you to pay copayments for doctor visits and emergency room visits, and it does not cover excess charges. Calculate whether the premium savings outweigh the copayments you would pay based on how often you see doctors.