Plan G is the most widely chosen AARP Medicare Supplement plan for people newly turning 65

Plan G covers more of your out-of-pocket costs than any other standard supplement plan, and it is the plan AARP members choose most often. It pays your Part B deductible, coinsurance, and copayments — the costs Medicare Part B leaves you responsible for. The main thing Plan G does not cover is the Part B deductible itself in the year you first enroll, though after that year it does.

Plan G became the most popular choice in 2020 when Medicare rules changed. Before that year, Plan F was the standard choice because it covered everything, including the Part B deductible from day one. Once Plan F closed to new enrollees, people turning 65 moved to Plan G instead. If you are shopping now, Plan G is what you will see recommended most often and what most people your age are choosing.

Popularity does not mean it is the right plan for you — that depends on your health, your budget, and how much risk you want to carry. But understanding why Plan G is popular helps you decide whether to choose it or look at other options.

Key Takeaways

  • Plan G covers your Part B coinsurance and copayments after you pay the Part B deductible once per year.
  • Plan G costs less per month than Plan F but requires you to pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024, though this amount changes yearly).
  • AARP is one company offering Plan G, but other insurers sell the same standardized plan with different monthly premiums.
  • Your choice between Plan G and other plans should depend on your expected doctor visits and hospital stays, not on popularity alone.
  • You can switch plans during the annual open enrollment period in the fall, so choosing Plan G now does not lock you in forever.

What Plan G actually covers and what it does not

Plan G covers the costs that Medicare Part B leaves you to pay after you see a doctor or specialist. When you visit a doctor, Medicare Part B pays 80 percent of the approved amount and you normally pay 20 percent coinsurance. Plan G pays that 20 percent coinsurance for you. It also covers copayments for emergency room visits and hospital stays, and it covers the cost of a second opinion before surgery.

The one significant cost Plan G does not cover is the Part B deductible, which is the amount you must pay out of your own pocket before Medicare Part B starts paying anything at all. In 2024, that deductible is $240 per year. Once you pay it, Plan G takes over and covers your coinsurance for the rest of the year. Plan G also does not cover dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care — no supplement plan covers those.

Plan G does cover skilled nursing facility coinsurance (the cost you pay after your hospital stay qualifies you for a nursing home), foreign travel emergency care up to a limit, and excess charges if your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment. For most people, the Part B deductible is the only regular out-of-pocket cost they face on Plan G.

Why Plan G replaced Plan F as the most popular choice

Until 2020, Plan F was the supplement plan nearly everyone chose because it covered absolutely everything — including the Part B deductible. You paid your premium and then had almost no other medical bills. Plan F was straightforward and predictable, and people liked knowing their costs were capped.

In 2020, Medicare stopped allowing insurance companies to sell Plan F to people turning 65 for the first time. People who already had Plan F could keep it, but new enrollees could not buy it. This rule change pushed millions of new retirees toward Plan G, which became the obvious next choice. AARP and other insurers began marketing Plan G heavily, and it quickly became the standard plan people chose.

Plan G costs less per month than Plan F does, which appeals to people on a fixed income. The tradeoff is that you pay the Part B deductible yourself each year. For someone who sees doctors regularly, that $240 annual cost is usually worth the lower monthly premium. For someone who rarely sees a doctor, Plan G might cost more overall than a less comprehensive plan.

How Plan G premiums compare across insurers

AARP is one of several companies that sell Plan G, and AARP's monthly premium is not always the lowest. The plan itself — what it covers — is identical no matter which company sells it to you. The difference is only in the monthly cost. AARP tends to have competitive rates for people in their mid-60s but may cost more for people in their 80s and beyond.

Your premium depends on your age, your location, and the insurance company's pricing strategy. A 65-year-old in one state might pay $120 per month for AARP Plan G, while the same plan from a different company costs $95. The difference adds up: $25 per month is $300 per year. Shopping around before you enroll can save you hundreds of dollars annually.

You can compare Plan G premiums from different companies using Medicare's official plan comparison tool at Medicare.gov, or you can contact insurers directly. Some people choose AARP because they value the organization's other member benefits — travel discounts, magazine subscriptions, and group rates on other insurance — even if the premium is slightly higher.

Plan G versus other popular supplement plans

Plan N is the second most popular choice, especially for people who want to pay less per month than Plan G costs. Plan N covers coinsurance and copayments like Plan G does, but it does not cover the Part B deductible, and it also does not cover excess charges if your doctor does not accept Medicare assignment. Plan N premiums are usually $20 to $40 lower per month than Plan G, which appeals to people who rarely see specialists or who see doctors who accept Medicare assignment.

Plan D, Plan K, and Plan L are less comprehensive and cost even less per month, but they leave you responsible for larger portions of your coinsurance. These plans make sense only if you are in excellent health and expect very few doctor visits. Most people who choose them end up wishing they had chosen Plan G or Plan N instead, because a single hospitalization or serious illness can quickly exceed the money they save on premiums.

Plan F is still available to people who had it before 2020, and some people over 65 who were already on Medicare when the rule changed can still enroll in it. If you are may be able to access for Plan F, comparing its premium to Plan G's premium is worth doing — Plan F may cost more, but it covers the Part B deductible, so your total annual cost might be lower if you see doctors frequently.

When to choose Plan G and when to consider alternatives

Choose Plan G if you see doctors regularly, take multiple medications, or have chronic conditions that require frequent specialist visits. The lower monthly premium compared to Plan F, combined with comprehensive coverage of coinsurance and copayments, usually means Plan G costs less overall for people with ongoing medical needs. Plan G also makes sense if you want predictable costs — after you pay the Part B deductible once a year, you know your other medical bills are covered.

Consider Plan N or a less comprehensive plan if you are in excellent health, rarely see doctors, and want to minimize your monthly premium. If you are willing to accept higher out-of-pocket costs when you do need care, a less expensive plan can save you money over time. This choice is more risky — a single serious illness can quickly erase years of premium savings — but it works for some people.

If you are unsure which plan fits your situation, talk with your doctor about how often you expect to need care in the coming year. Ask your doctor whether they accept Medicare assignment, because that affects whether Plan N's lack of excess charge coverage matters to you. Then compare the total annual cost of each plan — monthly premium plus the deductible and any other out-of-pocket costs — rather than looking at the premium alone.

How to enroll in Plan G or switch from another plan

If you are turning 65 and enrolling in Medicare for the first time, you have a six-month window called the Initial Enrollment Period to choose a supplement plan without medical underwriting. This means the insurance company cannot deny you or charge you more based on your health. This window is the easiest time to enroll in Plan G or any supplement plan.

If you missed that window or already have a different supplement plan, you can still switch to Plan G during the annual open enrollment period, which runs from October 15 through December 7 each year. The coverage change takes effect January 1. Outside of these windows, some states allow you to switch plans if you have a may have access to life event — moving to a new state, losing your current coverage, or a major change in your health or income. The rules vary by state.

To enroll, contact AARP or another insurance company directly by phone or through their website. You will need your Medicare card and information about your current coverage if you are switching. The company will ask health questions, but during the Initial Enrollment Period or open enrollment, they cannot use your answers to deny you or charge you more. Enrollment usually takes one to two weeks.

Questions to ask your doctor or insurance agent

Before you choose Plan G, ask your primary care doctor: "How many times do you expect me to see you or a specialist in the next year?" and "Do you accept Medicare assignment?" These answers help you estimate whether Plan G's coverage will save you money compared to a less expensive plan.

Ask an insurance agent or AARP representative: "What is your Plan G premium for someone my age in my zip code, and what are the annual increases been over the past three years?" This helps you understand whether the premium is competitive and whether it tends to rise faster than other companies' premiums.

Ask yourself: "Can I afford to pay the Part B deductible ($240 in 2024) once a year, or do I need a plan that covers it?" If the deductible is a hardship, Plan F (if you are may be able to access) or a less comprehensive plan might be better, even if the monthly premium is higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is AARP Plan G cheaper than Plan G from other companies?

Not always. AARP's premium is competitive for people in their 60s but may be higher than other companies' premiums for people in their 80s. Compare AARP's price to at least two other insurers using Medicare.gov's plan comparison tool before you enroll. The same plan from a different company might cost $20 to $40 less per month.

Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N if I decide the deductible is too much?

Yes, during the annual open enrollment period from October 15 through December 7. Your new coverage starts January 1. Outside of open enrollment, you can switch only if you have a may have access to life event, which varies by state. Contact your state's insurance commissioner's office to learn what qualifies in your area.

Does Plan G cover my medications?

No. Supplement plans do not cover prescription drugs. You need a separate Part D prescription drug plan for that. You can enroll in Part D at the same time you enroll in a supplement plan, and you can change your Part D plan every year during open enrollment.

What happens if I do not enroll in a supplement plan when I turn 65?

You can still enroll later, but outside the Initial Enrollment Period, insurance companies can deny you or charge you more based on your health. Some states have protections that limit this, but not all. Enrolling during your Initial Enrollment Period avoids this risk.

Can I keep Plan G if I move to a different state?

Probably not. Supplement plans are regulated by state, and most companies do not sell the same plan in every state. When you move, contact your current insurance company to ask whether they sell Plan G in your new state. If not, you will need to switch to a plan they do offer, or enroll with a different company that operates in your new state.