Medicare Supplement Plan G
The Most Popular Medigap Plan for New Enrollees
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan for new Medicare enrollees - and for good reason. It covers virtually every out-of-pocket cost that Original Medicare leaves behind, with just one exception: the annual Part B deductible.
Plan G became the go-to choice for new enrollees after Plan F was discontinued for people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. With Plan G, once you've paid the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), Medicare and your Medigap plan together cover 100% of Medicare-approved costs for the rest of the year.
One of Plan G's most valuable features is its coverage of Part B excess charges. When a doctor doesn't accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G pays those excess charges in full, giving you the freedom to see virtually any doctor in the country.
Plan G also includes foreign travel emergency coverage - up to 80% of medically necessary emergency care costs after a $250 deductible, with a $50,000 lifetime maximum. This makes it an excellent choice for people who travel internationally.
Because Medigap plans are federally standardized, a Plan G from one company offers identical benefits to a Plan G from any other company. The only difference is the premium. Shopping and comparing quotes from multiple insurers is the single most effective way to reduce your Medigap costs.
Key Highlights
- Covers 100% of Medicare-approved costs after the Part B deductible
- No networks - see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare nationwide
- Covers Part B excess charges (doctors who don't accept Medicare assignment)
- Includes foreign travel emergency coverage
- Guaranteed renewable - can't be cancelled due to health changes
What Does Plan G Cover?
Part A hospital coinsurance & costs (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits)
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
Part A deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
Part B coinsurance or copayment
Part B excess charges (Part B excess charges)
Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
You pay this once per year
Blood (first 3 pints)
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)
80% after $250 deductible, up to $50,000 lifetime
All Medigap plans are standardized by federal law. Benefits are identical regardless of which insurer you choose.
Plan G Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Near-total coverage - only one out-of-pocket cost (Part B deductible)
- ✓ Predictable annual costs - easy to budget
- ✓ No network restrictions - any Medicare-accepting provider
- ✓ Covers Part B excess charges, unlike Plan N
- ✓ Available from many competing insurers - shop for best price
Cons
- ✗ You pay the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) yourself
- ✗ Higher premiums than Plan N or high-deductible options
- ✗ Doesn't include prescription drug coverage (need separate Part D)
- ✗ Premiums increase with age in most states
Frequently Asked Questions
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