Medicare Supplement Plan G
May 20, 2026
Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most-chosen Medigap plan for people who want predictable costs and access to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare. Medigap is private insurance you buy alongside Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) to help pay costs Original Medicare doesn't cover, such as coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles. Medicare Supplement Plan G covers nearly every one of those gaps except the Part B deductible, which you pay out of pocket before that portion of your outpatient coverage applies. Because Medigap plans are standardized under federal rules, every insurer's Plan G policy covers identical benefits. The only real difference between carriers is the monthly premium. Below is what Plan G covers, what it leaves out, how it stacks up against Plan N and Medicare Advantage, and what to ask before you buy a policy.
Quick Answer
Medicare Supplement Plan G covers Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, the Part A deductible, Part B excess charges, and foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits. It does not cover the Part B deductible, prescription drugs, or routine dental, vision, and hearing care. Because coverage is standardized across every insurer, the premium you're quoted is the main difference between carriers. Plan G works with any provider nationwide who accepts Medicare, with no referrals or prior authorization required for covered services.
Plan G covers all of the following costs once you meet the Part B deductible for the year:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, including up to 365 extra days after Medicare's benefits run out
- Part B coinsurance and copayments
- The first three pints of blood used in a medical procedure
- Part A hospice coinsurance
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- The Part A deductible
- Part B excess charges, which some providers add above the Medicare-approved amount
- Foreign travel emergency care, up to plan limits
According to Medicare.gov, Medigap plans sold in most states must follow one of a fixed set of standardized benefit packages identified by letter, so every Plan G policy offers identical coverage regardless of which company sells it.
Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible. Medicare sets this amount each year, and you're responsible for paying it in full before Medicare and your Plan G coverage begin sharing certain outpatient costs. Check Medicare.gov for the current deductible amount.
Plan G also doesn't include prescription drug coverage. You'll need to pair it with a separate Part D plan, and going 63 days or more without creditable drug coverage can trigger a late enrollment penalty.
Routine dental, vision, and hearing care aren't part of Plan G either. Those services require a separate policy, which we cover in our dental, vision, and hearing guide.
Advantages
- Predictable yearly costs: your total spend is close to the monthly premium plus the Part B deductible plus a separate Part D premium.
- Access to any provider or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare, with no network restrictions.
- No referrals or prior authorization required for covered services.
- Standardized benefits mean you're comparing price and insurer reputation, not different coverage, when you shop.
Considerations
- Monthly premiums run higher than Plan N or many Medicare Advantage plans, since Plan G covers more cost-sharing.
- You still owe the full Part B deductible each year before certain coverage applies.
- No drug, dental, vision, or hearing coverage is bundled in, so most people carry two or three separate policies.
Plan G isn't the only way to fill the gaps in Original Medicare. Plan N offers similar coverage for a lower premium but adds small copays, and Medicare Advantage bundles coverage into a network-based plan instead of a supplement. Here's how the three compare.
What to Ask Before You Buy a Plan G Policy
- Ask whether the premium is community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated, since the pricing method affects how much your premium can rise over time.
- Ask about the insurer's rate increase history over the past 3 to 5 years.
- Ask if a household or multi-policy discount applies if you and a spouse both enroll.
- Confirm the policy is guaranteed renewable and ask what happens if you want to switch carriers later.
- Ask what medical underwriting questions apply if you're enrolling outside a guaranteed-issue period.
Key Takeaway
Every Plan G policy covers the same standardized benefits by law. When you compare quotes, you're really shopping for price and the insurer's rate-increase track record, not different coverage.
Plan G tends to fit people who want the fewest billing surprises and are willing to pay a higher monthly premium for that predictability. It's a good match if you travel often, see specialists regularly, or simply prefer knowing your costs upfront rather than paying copays per visit.
Plan G may not be the right fit if you're comfortable with small, predictable copays in exchange for a lower monthly premium, in which case Plan N is worth comparing. It also isn't the right fit if a lower premium and a managed network work for your budget and preferred doctors, which is where Medicare Advantage comes in. Use our plan comparison guide to weigh all three side by side before you enroll.
Helpful next step
See how Plan G's higher premium and lower out-of-pocket costs stack up against Plan N's copay structure.
Important
Medicare Plan Path is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area.
Learn More
Talk with a licensed advisor to see whether Medicare Supplement Plan G fits your health needs and budget.