Speak with an experienced advisor! 405-256-4669Plan G and Plan N cover most of the same things. The difference comes down to one trade-off: Plan G costs more each month but leaves you with almost nothing to pay at the doctor. Plan N costs less each month, but you’ll have some small copays along the way.
These are the two plans most people compare when they’re choosing a Medicare Supplement. Here’s how they differ, who each one fits, and how to do the math for your own situation.
The short answer
Plan G: Higher premium, fewer surprises. After the $283 Part B deductible, you pay nothing more for Medicare-covered care.
Plan N: Lower premium, small copays. You may pay up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some emergency room visits, and Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges.
Side-by-side comparison
Medigap plans are standardized by federal law, so Plan G and Plan N cover the same things no matter which insurance company sells them. Dollar amounts below are Medicare’s 2026 figures.
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period) | Covered | Covered |
| Part A hospital coinsurance, plus 365 extra hospital days | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance ($217 a day, days 21–100) | Covered | Covered |
| Hospice care coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| First 3 pints of blood | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance (the 20% Medicare doesn’t pay) | Covered | Covered, except copays up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don’t lead to admission |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Part B deductible ($283 a year) | You pay | You pay |
| Emergency care outside the U.S. | 80%, up to plan limits | 80%, up to plan limits |
The rows in bold are where the two plans differ. Neither plan covers prescription drugs; you’ll need a separate Part D plan for those.
The three differences that matter
Office visit copays
With Plan N, you may pay up to $20 for some doctor and specialist visits. Plan G has no office copays once you’ve met the Part B deductible.
Emergency room copays
With Plan N, you may pay up to $50 for an ER visit. If you’re admitted to the hospital, that copay is waived.
Excess charges
Non-participating doctors who don’t accept assignment can bill up to 15% more than their Medicare-approved amount. Plan G pays that; Plan N doesn’t. Here’s how that works in real dollars.
Excess charges, explained
Excess charges are the main reason Plan G costs more than Plan N, and they’re rarely explained well. What you owe depends on how your doctor works with Medicare. Here’s the same $100 service, billed three different ways.
| How the doctor bills | Medicare pays | Your 20% | Excess charge | You pay with Plan G | You pay with Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participating doctor Accepts Medicare’s approved amount as full payment |
$80 | $20 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Non-participating, accepts assignment Medicare pays 5% less; can’t bill you extra |
$76 | $19 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Non-participating, doesn’t accept assignment Can bill up to 15% above its Medicare-approved amount |
$76 | $19 | $14.25 | $0 | $14.25 |
This example assumes a service with a $100 Medicare-approved amount and that you’ve already met the $283 Part B deductible. With Plan N, an office visit copay of up to $20 may also apply.
There’s a hard cap
Federal rules cap excess charges at 15% above the doctor’s Medicare-approved amount. Since non-participating doctors are paid 5% less to begin with, the total bill can be at most about 9% higher than a participating doctor’s.
They’re uncommon
The vast majority of doctors who take Medicare are participating providers, so most visits never involve an excess charge. Oklahoma is not one of the eight states that ban them, so the federal 15% limit applies here.
Equipment is the exception
The 15% cap doesn’t apply to medical equipment like wheelchairs, scooters, or oxygen. A supplier that doesn’t accept assignment can charge any amount, and Plan N won’t cover the difference.
The one question to ask: “Do you accept Medicare assignment?” Ask it before booking a new doctor and before ordering any medical equipment. If the answer is yes, excess charges don’t apply. Doctors who have opted out of Medicare entirely are different: Medicare pays nothing, so neither plan helps.
Which plan fits you?
Plan G may fit you if:
- You see doctors or specialists often.
- You want predictable costs and no bills at the doctor’s office.
- A doctor you see doesn’t accept Medicare assignment.
- You want the most flexibility to change plans later.
Plan N may fit you if:
- You’re in good health and see the doctor a few times a year.
- You’d rather save on premiums and pay small copays as they come.
- Your doctors accept Medicare assignment.
- The premium difference in your area is large enough to be worth it.
Doing the math
The right choice depends on how big the premium gap is where you live. Here’s a simple way to compare:
- Find the monthly difference. Subtract the Plan N premium from the Plan G premium for your age and ZIP code.
- Multiply by 12. That’s how much Plan N saves you in premiums over a year.
- Compare with your copays. Estimate your office and ER visits for a typical year. If those copays add up to less than your savings, Plan N comes out ahead.
| Plan | Sample monthly premium, age 65, Oklahoma City |
|---|---|
| Plan G | $160 |
| Plan N | $105 |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $40 |
Sample rates as of September 2026, lowest available premiums for a non-tobacco user. Your rate depends on your age, ZIP code, and the insurance company.
Want an even lower premium? Consider High-Deductible Plan G
High-Deductible Plan G has the same benefits as Plan G, but you pay the first $2,950 of Medicare-covered costs each year (2026) before the plan starts paying. That amount includes the $283 Part B deductible. In exchange, the monthly premium is typically much lower.
It can make sense if you’re healthy, rarely see the doctor, and could comfortably cover the deductible in a bad year. It’s available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Can I switch later?
It’s easier to move one direction than the other, which is worth thinking about before you choose.
Plan G to Plan N: In Oklahoma, you can make this switch each year during your birthday window, with no health questions. Learn how the Oklahoma birthday rule works.
Plan N to Plan G: This usually means answering health questions, and you could be turned down.
Any time of year: Medigap has no enrollment period, so you can apply to change plans in either direction whenever you like, as long as you pass the new company’s health questions. Each company sets its own rules, and some are more forgiving than others.
Common questions
Can I see any doctor with either plan?
Yes. Both plans work with any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. There are no networks.
Do prices differ by insurance company?
Yes, sometimes a lot. The benefits are identical, but premiums, rate increase history, and household discounts vary.
What about Plan F?
Plan F also covers the Part B deductible, but it’s only available to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Learn more about Plan F.
Do I have to wait for a certain time of year to change plans?
No. Medicare Supplement plans don’t have an enrollment period, so you can apply to change any time of year. You’ll usually answer health questions, and each company sets its own rules. In Oklahoma, your birthday window lets you switch to the same or fewer benefits with no health questions.
Does the fall enrollment period apply to my Medigap plan?
No. The fall enrollment period (October 15 to December 7) is for Medicare Advantage and Part D drug plans. Medicare Supplement plans don’t have an enrollment period, so you can apply to change any time of year.
Does either plan cover prescriptions?
No. You’ll need a separate Part D prescription drug plan with either one.
Do Plan N copays count toward an out-of-pocket limit?
No. Plan N doesn’t have an out-of-pocket limit, so copays are paid as they come up.
Does it cost anything to compare?
No. My help is free, and there’s no obligation to buy.
See Plan G and Plan N prices for you
I’ll compare both plans from [NUMBER] insurance companies for your age and ZIP code, and walk you through which one makes sense. Call me at 405-256-4669 or request a quote online. I’ll call you personally, and your information is never sold or shared.
Sources: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 2026 Part A and Part B cost figures; Medicare.gov, “Compare Medigap plan benefits”; 42 CFR 414.48 (limiting charge); CMS letter to the NAIC on durable medical equipment, August 2022; KFF data on physician participation in Medicare. This page is general information. Premiums vary by insurance company, age, and location. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.