Plan G helps pay nearly all of the Medicare-approved costs left behind by Original Medicare, except the annual Part B deductible. Compare what it covers, what it costs, and how it fits your situation before you check rates in your ZIP code.
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Quick Answer
Medicare Supplement Plan G — sometimes mistakenly called "Medicare Part G" — is private insurance that works alongside Original Medicare. After you meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible, Plan G generally pays the remaining Medicare-approved cost sharing for services covered by Original Medicare, including Part A and Part B coinsurance, the Part A hospital deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, hospice cost sharing, and Medicare Part B excess charges.
Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible itself — $283 in 2026 — and it does not include outpatient prescription drug coverage or routine dental, vision, or hearing care. Because Plan G has no provider network, you can use any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.
Plan G is one of several standardized Medigap options. You can compare Medicare Supplement plans before deciding which plan letter fits you best.
Plan G is sometimes called the "better value" alternative to Plan F because it covers nearly the same benefits. When the annual premium savings with Plan G exceed the Part B deductible, Plan G may produce a lower combined annual cost.
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Coverage Breakdown
Plan G benefits are standardized in most states. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Medicare Supplement plans differently.
Coverage information and 2026 deductible figures are based on Medicare.gov's Medigap benefit comparison. Benefits and amounts may change in future years.
Detailed Coverage
See how Plan G helps lower your out-of-pocket costs under Medicare Parts A and B, benefit by benefit.
| Standard Plan G policy deductible | None. You are still responsible for the annual Medicare Part B deductible. |
|---|---|
| Provider access | Any U.S. doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare; no referrals required. |
| Foreign-travel emergency | After a $250 calendar-year deductible, Plan G pays 80% of eligible emergency charges, subject to a $50,000 lifetime limit. |
| Prescription drug coverage | Not included. A separate Medicare Part D plan may be needed. |
| Routine dental, vision, and hearing | Not included as standardized Plan G benefits. |
How Medicare and Plan G pay / What you pay
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | Plan G pays the 2026 deductible of $1,736. You pay $0. |
|---|---|
| Hospital days 1–60 | Medicare covers the stay after the deductible; Plan G covers the Part A deductible. You pay $0 for covered hospital cost sharing. |
| Hospital days 61–90 | Plan G pays the daily Part A coinsurance of $434 in 2026. You pay $0. |
| Lifetime reserve days 91–150 | Plan G pays the daily Part A coinsurance of $868 in 2026. You pay $0. |
| Additional hospital coverage | Plan G covers up to 365 additional lifetime days after Medicare benefits are exhausted. You pay $0 for eligible covered expenses. |
| Skilled nursing facility days 1–20 | Medicare generally pays 100%. You pay $0. |
| Skilled nursing facility days 21–100 | Plan G pays the Medicare coinsurance, up to $217 per day in 2026. You pay $0. |
| Skilled nursing facility after day 100 | Original Medicare coverage generally ends after day 100 in a benefit period. You are responsible for all costs after that unless another form of coverage applies. |
| Hospice care | Plan G pays the Part A hospice copayment or coinsurance. You pay $0 for covered cost sharing. |
| First three pints of blood | Plan G covers the first three pints when needed. You pay $0. |
How Medicare and Plan G pay / What you pay
| Annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | Plan G pays $0. You pay $283. |
|---|---|
| Doctor and outpatient services after the deductible | Medicare generally pays 80%; Plan G pays the remaining 20% Medicare coinsurance. You pay $0 for covered cost sharing. |
| Emergency medical services after the deductible | Medicare generally pays 80%; Plan G pays the remaining Medicare coinsurance. You pay $0 for covered cost sharing. |
| Part B excess charges | Plan G pays covered excess charges. You pay $0. |
| Durable medical equipment after the deductible | Medicare generally pays 80%; Plan G pays the remaining 20%. You pay $0 for covered cost sharing. |
| Diagnostic laboratory tests | Medicare generally pays 100% for covered tests. You pay $0. |
| Home health services | Medicare generally pays 100% for covered services; Plan G pays applicable covered cost sharing. Usually $0. |
| First three pints of blood | Plan G covers the first three pints. You pay $0. |
The One Thing Plan G Skips
Plan G is designed to cover nearly all of the Medicare-approved cost sharing left by Original Medicare, with one deliberate exception: the annual Medicare Part B deductible. In 2026, you are responsible for the first $283 of Medicare-approved Part B expenses before Plan G begins paying its Part B benefits.
This is also what separates Plan G from Plan F. Plan F pays the Part B deductible in addition to everything Plan G covers, but Plan F is generally not available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. For most people shopping today, Plan G is the most comprehensive standardized Medigap option available.
The simple version: Once you meet the $283 annual Part B deductible, Plan G generally pays the remaining Medicare-approved cost sharing for covered Part B services during the rest of that calendar year.
What You'll Pay
Plan G premiums vary significantly by location, age, sex where permitted, tobacco use, household discounts, carrier, rating method, and underwriting status. In addition to the monthly premium, you're responsible for the annual Part B deductible — $283 in 2026 — before Plan G's Part B coverage applies.
Because every company sells the same standardized Plan G benefits, comparing the same coverage across several insurers is one of the only ways to find a meaningful price difference. What isn't standardized is how each company prices that coverage. Insurance companies use different rating methods: community-rated plans charge the same premium regardless of age, issue-age-rated plans base your premium on your age when you first enroll and it doesn't increase simply because you get older, and attained-age-rated plans are usually priced lowest at 65 but increase as you age, sometimes substantially over time.
This is the main reason the lowest starting premium isn't always the best long-term value — and why comparing more than one company's Plan G rate, and understanding how that company prices future increases, matters as much as today's quote. It also helps to understand how Medicare Supplement premium increases work and when changing companies may require medical underwriting.
A Lower-Premium Option
High-Deductible Plan G is available in some states and usually carries a lower monthly premium than standard Plan G. With this option, you pay Medicare-covered deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance out of pocket until your eligible spending reaches the annual deductible — $2,950 in 2026. Once you've met that amount, the plan begins paying its covered benefits the same way standard Plan G does.
High-Deductible Plan G can appeal to healthier, budget-conscious Medicare beneficiaries who want a lower premium and a Medigap safety net for larger expenses, while accepting more responsibility for routine costs.
Side by Side
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital costs | Covered | Covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered, except certain copays |
| Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered |
| Office visit copay | $0 | Up to $20 |
| ER visit copay (not admitted) | $0 | Up to $50 |
| Typical monthly premium | Higher | Often lower, but varies by carrier |
Benefits shown are standardized nationally for each plan letter. Premiums vary by carrier, age, sex, location, and tobacco status. See our full Plan N guide to compare Plan G and Plan N in more detail.
A Common Question
Plan G is often considered one of the best Medicare Supplement options for people who want comprehensive coverage, predictable medical expenses, and the freedom to use any provider that accepts Medicare. For most people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, it is the most comprehensive standardized Medigap plan available.
That does not make it the best choice for everyone. Plan N may offer a better value when the premium savings outweigh its possible copayments, while High-Deductible Plan G may appeal to someone who prioritizes a lower monthly premium.
The Bigger Fork in the Road
There's no universal right answer between the two. See our full Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement comparison for a deeper breakdown.
Is Plan G Right for You?
Compare Your Options
Answer seven short questions about your doctors, prescriptions, travel, budget, and coverage preferences. The results can help you understand whether Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement Plan G, Plan N, or High-Deductible Plan G may be worth comparing.
The Appeal
Plan G helps pay most of the deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance left by Original Medicare after you meet the annual Part B deductible.
There's no Plan G provider network. You can visit any doctor or hospital in the United States that accepts Medicare.
Once your policy is issued, the insurance company generally cannot cancel it because your health changes, as long as you pay the premium and follow the policy terms.
Plan G works nationwide with Medicare-accepting providers and includes limited foreign-travel emergency benefits, subject to plan limits.
Plan G benefits are standardized, but premiums, discounts, underwriting rules, and rate histories differ. We compare available insurers rather than presenting only one company.
Why Comparing Alone Can Be Tricky
The benefits are standardized, but the premiums, discounts, and carrier reputation aren't. Getting an apples-to-apples comparison usually takes more than one website.
We compare plans across multiple carriers. There is no separate fee for our help; if you enroll through us, we may be compensated by the insurance company.
One option available in many areas is Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement plans, including Plan G. We compare that alongside other carriers so you see real numbers, not national averages.
We'll walk through whether a quote is community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated, so you understand how the premium may change over time.
Timing Matters
For many people, the easiest time to purchase Plan G is during their six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which generally begins when they are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this protected window, insurers generally cannot use your health history to deny coverage or charge a higher premium because of a medical condition.
This isn't the only time someone may qualify for guaranteed acceptance. Certain situations create guaranteed-issue rights, and state rules may provide additional opportunities to enroll or switch plans without medical underwriting.
Once you choose a company, our guide explains how to apply for Medicare Supplement insurance, including what information you may need and when underwriting can apply.
Ready When You Are
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We'll pull actual Plan G quotes from multiple carriers for your ZIP code, walk through how each company rates and prices its premiums over time, and help you apply for whichever plan actually fits your situation — with no pressure and no obligation.
No pressure. No call-center runaround. Just clear help comparing Medigap plans from Lehigh Partners Senior Benefits.
Lehigh Partners Senior Benefits is an independent, licensed insurance agency. Plan availability, benefits, premiums, underwriting, and enrollment rules vary by carrier, state, and individual circumstances. This page is educational and does not guarantee acceptance, savings, or pricing. Calling the number on this page will connect you with a licensed insurance agent. Lehigh Partners Senior Benefits is not connected with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every Medigap plan available in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for information on all available options.
