Key takeaways
- Medigap Plan G is one of 10 plans that help cover some out-of-pocket expenses. It’s one of the only Medigap plans that covers Part B excess charges.
- Plan G requires paying its own monthly premium, in addition to the Medicare Part B premium, and costs can vary depending on the insurance company and whether the plan has a high deductible.
- Medigap Plan G offers broad coverage, paying for most Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs, but doesn’t cover everything, such as the Medicare Part B deductible.
Medigap is a supplemental insurance plan that can cover some things Medicare doesn’t. About
Medigap has 10 different plans, each offering different types of supplemental coverage. One of these plans is Plan G. Some people choose Medigap Plan G because it’s one of the only Medigap plans that covers Part B excess charges.
Read on as we discuss the costs associated with Plan G, how you can enroll, and more.
Plans versus parts
Medicare is a government-funded health insurance program that provides medical coverage for people ages 65 and over and some people under age 65.
Original Medicare is divided into Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. Medicare Advantage (Part C) is an alternative Medicare plan that offers the same coverage as Original Medicare, and Medicare Part D covers prescription drugs.
Only these Medicare components are referred to as parts. Medigap plans are subdivided into plans.
Medigap plans are not medical plans. Instead of covering medical care directly, these plans pay for your remaining out-of-pocket costs once Original Medicare coverage kicks in.
That said, Medigap plans come with their own costs.
Plan G premiums
If you enroll in a Medigap plan, you’ll have to pay a monthly premium. This will be in addition to your Medicare Part B monthly premium.
Because private insurance companies sell Medigap policies, monthly premiums will vary by policy. Companies can choose to set their premiums in a variety of ways. The three main ways they set premiums are:
- Community rated: Everyone with the policy pays the same monthly premium, regardless of their age.
- Issue-age rated: Monthly premiums are set based on your age when you purchase the policy. Individuals who buy at a younger age will have lower monthly premiums.
- Attained-age rated: Monthly premiums are set based on your current age. Because of this, your premiums will increase as you get older.
Plan G deductible
Most Medigap plans don’t have deductibles. The only exceptions are Medigap plans F and G, which have two options: no-deductible plans and high-deductible plans.
High deductible plans aren’t available in every state. If this option is available where you live, it means that your plan won’t begin covering your out-of-pocket costs from Original Medicare (parts A and B) until you meet this deductible.
But, if you choose a plan with a higher deductible, you’ll pay less for your premium. Let’s look at three example cities to examine some general Plan G cost ranges in 2026:
| Georgia | Iowa | San Francisco, CA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G premium range | $131-$3,269 | $110-$990 | $157-$1,151 |
| Plan G annual deductible | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Plan G (high deductible) premium range | $44-$1,109 | $32-$380 | $35-$242 |
| Plan G (high deductible) annual deductible | $2,875 | $2,875 | $2,875 |
Keep in mind, however, that your Medigap costs may also depend on other factors such as:
- your health status
- your gender
- when you buy your plan
- tobacco use
As of 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) revised who can enroll in Medigap plans C and F. Although Plan F is the most inclusive of the different Medigap plans, people who enrolled in Medicare after 2020 or later cannot enroll in Medigap Plan F.
For this reason, for new Medicare enrollees, Medigap Plan G provides the broadest coverage available, paying all Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs except the Part B deductible as follows:
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Medicare Part A coinsurance
- Medicare Part A hospital costs
- Medicare Part A hospice coinsurance or copay
- skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- blood (first three pints)
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copay
- excess charges associated with Medicare Part B
Plan G also covers 80% of health services provided during foreign travel, and unlike some other Medigap plans, Plan G doesn’t have an out-of-pocket limit.
Medigap plans are standardized, which means each company must offer the same basic coverage. When you purchase a Plan G policy, you should receive all the benefits listed above, regardless of the company you purchase it from.
You can first buy a Medigap policy during open enrollment, which lasts six months and starts the month you turn 65 or older and enroll in Medicare Part B.
Other enrollment guidelines associated with Medigap include:
- Medigap policies only cover one person, so your spouse will need to buy their own policy.
- Federal law doesn’t require that companies sell Medigap policies to those under age 65. If you’re under age 65 and eligible for Medicare, you may not be able to purchase the Medigap policy that you want.
- You can’t have both a Medigap policy and a Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) policy. If you want to purchase a Medigap policy, you’ll have to switch back to Original Medicare (parts A and B).
- Medigap policies don’t cover prescription drugs. If you’d like prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan.
Medigap policies are guaranteed renewable, regardless of whether or not you have health conditions. This means that your policy can’t be canceled as long as you continue to be enrolled and pay your premiums.
Private insurance companies sell Medigap policies. You can use Medicare’s search tool to find out which plans are offered in your area. You’ll need to enter your zip code and select your county to see available plans. Each plan will be listed with a monthly premium range, other potential costs, and what is and isn’t covered.
You can also look at the companies that offer each plan and how they set their monthly premiums. Because the cost of a Medigap policy can vary by company, it’s very important to compare several Medigap policies before selecting one.
Where to find help choosing a Medigap plan
Use the following resources to help you choose a Medigap plan:
- Online search tool: Compare Medigap plans using Medicare’s search tool.
- Call Medicare directly: Call 800-633-4227 for any questions or concerns related to Medicare or Medigap.
- Contact your state insurance department: State insurance departments can help provide you with information on Medigap plans in your state.
- Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). SHIPs provide information and advice to people enrolling in or changing their coverage.
Medigap Plan G is a Medicare supplement insurance plan that covers various expenses not covered by Medicare parts A and B, such as coinsurance, copays, and some deductibles.
If you buy a Plan G policy, you’ll pay a monthly premium, which can vary by the company offering the policy. This is in addition to your Medicare Part B monthly premium.
Plan G also doesn’t cover the Part B deductible. In addition, if you have a high deductible Plan G, you’ll need to pay another deductible before your policy begins to cover expenses.
Plan G may be a good option if you’re unable to purchase Plan F. The only difference between the two plans is that Plan G doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible.