Medigap Plan F, G, and N Comparison: Which Medicare Supplement Is Best for You?

What Are Medigap Plans F, G, and N?

More than 14.5 million Americans have chosen Medicare Supplement insurance, commonly called Medigap, to fill the coverage gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind (Kaiser Family Foundation, 2025).

These plans work alongside Medicare Part A and Part B, picking up costs like coinsurance, copayments, and deductibles that would otherwise come directly out of your pocket.

One rule change reshaped this market significantly. Starting January 1, 2020, Plan F closed to anyone newly eligible for Medicare. That single shift made Plan G the new benchmark for comprehensive Medigap coverage.

Understanding how these three plans compare, in benefits, costs, and eligibility, is the foundation of making a confident enrollment decision.

Side-by-Side Benefits Comparison: Plan F vs. Plan G vs. Plan N

All three plans share a common set of core benefits, but the differences between them matter in real dollars. The table below shows exactly what each plan covers based on the standardized benefit structure defined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The gap between Plan F and Plan G is remarkably narrow. The only coverage difference is the Medicare Part B deductible, $257 in 2026 per CMS - an amount most enrollees recover through Plan G's lower monthly premium.

Pay that amount yourself and Plan G delivers essentially the same protection as Plan F.

The CMS Choosing a Medigap Policy guide and Medicare.gov's standardized benefit chart serve as the authoritative references for verifying these details.

Medigap Plan F: Who Is Still Eligible and Is It Worth Keeping?

Plan F is only available to Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you first became eligible in 2020 or later, no insurer can sell you Plan F, regardless of your health status or willingness to pay.

If you currently have Plan F, here is a practical framework for evaluating a potential switch to Plan G:

1. Get current Plan G quotes from multiple insurers in your state.

2. Calculate your monthly savings by subtracting the Plan G premium from your current Plan F premium.

3. Subtract $257 (the 2026 Part B deductible you would pay under Plan G) from your annual savings.

4. Assess underwriting risk. Outside the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, most states allow insurers to use medical underwriting, which could affect your eligibility or pricing for a new plan.

If the net annual savings exceed $300 or more, the switch often makes long-term financial sense. However, underwriting exposure is a real factor, speaking with a licensed agent or SHIP counselor before making a move is strongly advisable.

Medigap Plan G: The New Gold Standard for Comprehensive Coverage

Plan G now covers approximately 39% of all Medigap enrollees, making it the most popular option in the market (America's Health Insurance Plans, 2025). Medicare insurance specialist Danielle Kunkle Roberts describes it plainly: "Plan G has become the gold-standard replacement for Plan F. The only difference is the Part B deductible, and in most cases Plan G's lower premium more than makes up for that small out-of-pocket cost."

Here is what Plan G actually covers once you pay the $257 annual Part B deductible:

• 100% of Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted

• 100% of Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments

• 100% of the Medicare Part A deductible (currently $1,676 per benefit period in 2026)

• 100% of skilled nursing facility coinsurance

• 100% of Part B excess charges

• 80% of foreign travel emergency costs up to plan limits

Plan G is generally the strongest fit for people with frequent healthcare needs: multiple specialist visits per year, chronic conditions, or residence in states where Part B excess charges are common. The predictability of cost, one annual deductible and nothing else, is a significant financial planning advantage. You can review Medicare Plan G reviews to understand how real enrollees experience this coverage.

Medigap Plan N: Lower Premiums With Some Cost-Sharing Trade-Offs

Plan N offers a compelling value proposition for beneficiaries who are relatively healthy and comfortable with some cost-sharing in exchange for lower monthly premiums. Premiums typically run 15-25% less per month than Plan G in most states (Medicare.gov Plan Finder, 2025).

Plan N generally carries the lowest premiums among these three options. However, the lowest premium does not always translate to the lowest total annual cost - your actual healthcare usage determines which plan is more affordable overall.

The trade-offs are straightforward but worth understanding clearly:

• Office visit copays: Up to $20 per doctor's visit

• Emergency room copays: Up to $50 for ER visits that do not result in an inpatient admission

• No excess charge coverage: If a provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they can bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount, and Plan N does not cover that gap

Leslie Fried, Senior Director at the Center for Benefits Access, frames the Plan N decision accurately: "Beneficiaries choosing between Plans G and N need to honestly assess their healthcare utilization. Plan N can save hundreds annually in premiums, but frequent doctor visits can quickly erode those savings through copayments." The math only favors Plan N when your actual usage patterns support it. Learn more about Plan N Medicare Supplement coverage details.

Real-World Cost Scenarios: Which Plan Saves You the Most?

Monthly premium comparisons alone do not tell the full story. Total annual out-of-pocket cost, premiums plus cost-sharing, is the accurate measure. The following three scenarios use 2026 CMS data and average premium estimates to illustrate the financial breakeven point between Plan G and Plan N.

Scenario 1, Low Utilization (2-4 doctor visits per year)

A healthy 65-year-old visits her primary care physician three times annually and sees no specialists. Under Plan N at $160/month ($1,920/year) with three $20 copays ($60), her total annual cost is roughly $1,980. Under Plan G at $200/month ($2,400/year) plus the $257 Part B deductible, her total is approximately $2,657. Plan N saves her roughly $677 per year.

Scenario 2, Moderate Utilization (8-12 visits plus one specialist)

Add ten office visits ($200 in Plan N copays) and one specialist who charges excess fees (~$100 in additional Plan N exposure), and Plan N's total rises to approximately $2,220 against Plan G's unchanged $2,657. Plan N still comes out ahead by about $437 annually.

Scenario 3, High Utilization (chronic condition, 18+ visits per year)

Eighteen visits generate up to $360 in Plan N copays. Adding excess charge exposure from multiple specialists could push Plan N costs to $2,700 or more potentially exceeding Plan G's total cost of $2,657. At this level of utilization, Plan G becomes the better financial choice.

How and When to Enroll: Protecting Your Medigap Rights

Timing your Medigap enrollment correctly can be one of the most financially protective decisions you make. The 6-month [Medigap Open Enrollment Period](/faqs/medicare-special-enrollment-period/) (OEP) begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Certain life events trigger guaranteed issue rights outside the standard OEP, including:

• Losing employer-sponsored health coverage

• Moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan's service area

• Your Medigap insurer going bankrupt or leaving your market

The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) provides free, unbiased, one-on-one counseling for Medicare beneficiaries. SHIP counselors can walk you through a side-by-side comparison of Plans F, G, and N available in your state and explain exactly what rights you have during and outside your enrollment window. Finding a local SHIP counselor through Medicare.gov is a reliable starting point before committing to any plan.

How to Choose the Right Medigap Plan for Your Situation

The right Medigap plan depends on your Medicare eligibility date, how often you use healthcare, where you live, and what level of monthly cost you can sustain. Use this decision framework to orient your thinking:

• If you became Medicare-eligible before January 1, 2020 and currently hold Plan F: Compare your current premium against available Plan G rates. If the annual premium savings exceed $257 (the Part B deductible), Plan G likely makes financial sense, but weigh the underwriting risk before switching.

• If you are a new Medicare enrollee choosing between Plan G and Plan N: Assess how often you visit doctors and specialists. Low-utilization, generally healthy individuals in states without common excess charges often benefit from Plan N's lower premiums. Those with chronic conditions or in states where non-participating providers are common typically do better with Plan G.

• If budget is your primary concern: Plan N offers the lowest premiums among these three options, but factor in the realistic cost of copays and any excess charge exposure in your state before making that the deciding factor.

Speaking with a licensed Medicare agent or SHIP counselor removes much of the guesswork. These professionals can pull side-by-side quotes, explain state-specific rules, and help you think through the total cost picture, not just the monthly premium.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medigap Plan F, G, and N

Choosing between Medicare Supplement Plan F, G, and N comes down to matching plan structure to your personal health picture and financial priorities. Plan F remains relevant for those who already hold it and can keep premiums manageable. Plan G offers the most predictable, comprehensive coverage available to new enrollees.

Plan N rewards low-utilization beneficiaries with meaningful premium savings, provided they understand and can absorb the cost-sharing trade-offs.

The best next step is to compare current quotes in your area, review your healthcare usage honestly, and consult with a licensed Medicare agent or SHIP counselor before enrolling. Getting the decision right at 65 can protect both your health and your finances for years to come.