Medicare Supplement Plan Comparison
Can I Switch From Medicare Supplement Plan G to Plan N?
Switching from Plan G to Plan N may help lower your Medicare Supplement premium—but medical underwriting, copayments and your personal healthcare needs should all be considered before making a change.
Yes, you may be able to switch from Medicare Supplement Plan G to Plan N. However, depending on when you apply and whether you have a guaranteed-issue right, the insurance company may ask health questions before approving the new policy.
For many people, the reason to consider this change is simple: Plan N may offer a lower monthly premium than Plan G. In return, you agree to pay certain office and emergency-room copayments, and Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
That does not automatically make Plan N better. The right decision depends on the available premium savings, your expected healthcare use, the underwriting rules and where you receive medical care.
Before canceling Plan G, you should have the new Plan N policy approved and confirm its premium and effective date.
Can You Change From Plan G to Plan N?
You are allowed to apply for Plan N even if you already have Plan G. You can apply with your current insurance company or compare Plan N rates from other companies.
The important question is not simply whether you can submit an application. The important question is whether the new insurance company will approve it at an acceptable rate.
Outside your one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period or another protected enrollment situation, medical underwriting will generally apply in Pennsylvania. The company may ask questions about your health, recent medical treatment, medications and upcoming procedures.
Approval is not guaranteed.
Does Medicare Open Enrollment Let You Make This Switch?
The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period that takes place each fall is primarily for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. It does not normally give you an automatic right to change Medicare Supplement policies without medical underwriting.
This causes a great deal of confusion because Medicare Supplement plans do not have the same annual enrollment rules as Medicare Advantage plans.
You can apply to change your Medicare Supplement coverage during the year, but the new company may review your medical history unless you qualify for a guaranteed-issue right.
When Can You Switch Without Medical Underwriting?
Your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins when you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During that period, companies generally cannot deny your Medigap application or charge you more because of your health.
This is normally a one-time enrollment period. It does not begin again every year.
Certain circumstances may also create a guaranteed-issue right. Examples can include losing qualifying coverage through no fault of your own or exercising specific trial rights after joining a Medicare Advantage plan.
Because guaranteed-issue rules depend on the exact circumstances and timing, do not assume you qualify without having the situation reviewed.
You can read more about changing policies on our page about switching Medicare Supplement companies.
What Changes When You Move From Plan G to Plan N?
Plan G and Plan N provide many of the same core Medicare Supplement benefits. Both plans help cover major gaps in Original Medicare, including:
- Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance
- Up to 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- The Medicare Part A deductible
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- The first three pints of blood
- Part B coinsurance, subject to Plan N’s copayment rules
- Foreign travel emergency benefits, up to the plan’s limits
Neither Plan G nor Plan N pays the annual Medicare Part B deductible.
The main differences are:
- Plan N may require a copayment for certain office visits.
- Plan N may require a copayment for certain emergency-room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.
- Plan N does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges.
- Plan N frequently has a lower monthly premium than Plan G, although the actual difference depends on the company, your age, ZIP code, household discounts and other rating factors.
For a broader side-by-side explanation, visit Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N.
How Do Plan N Copayments Work?
After you satisfy the Medicare Part B deductible, Plan N generally covers your Part B coinsurance except for:
- A copayment of up to $20 for certain office visits
- A copayment of up to $50 for certain emergency-room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission
Not every encounter automatically produces a copayment. The way Medicare processes and codes the service can affect whether a Plan N copayment applies.
Plan N does not have a physician network. As long as a healthcare provider accepts Medicare, your Plan N benefits can travel with you throughout the United States.
Learn more about the plan’s benefits on our page explaining what Medicare Supplement Plan N covers.
What Are Medicare Part B Excess Charges?
A provider who does not accept Medicare assignment may, where permitted, charge more than the Medicare-approved amount for a covered service. The additional amount is called a Part B excess charge.
Plan G covers Part B excess charges. Plan N does not.
Pennsylvania law prohibits healthcare practitioners from balance billing Medicare beneficiaries for these excess amounts. That makes excess charges much less of a concern when receiving care from Pennsylvania practitioners.
However, Pennsylvania law does not control providers in other states. Someone who travels or receives medical care outside Pennsylvania should ask whether the provider accepts Medicare assignment.
This difference should be considered, but it should not automatically eliminate Plan N from consideration.
How Much Could You Save by Switching?
The answer depends on the Plan N rates available to you. Do not judge the change by monthly premium alone. Compare the potential annual savings against the additional costs you could reasonably expect under Plan N.
Annual Plan G premium minus annual Plan N premium equals your potential annual premium savings.
Then consider your expected office-visit copayments, emergency-room copayments and possible exposure to excess charges outside Pennsylvania.
If Plan N would save you a meaningful amount after those costs, switching may make sense. If the difference is only a few dollars per month, keeping Plan G’s broader coverage may be the better decision.
Our page about lowering your Medicare Supplement premium explains several ways to review your costs without giving up Medicare Supplement coverage.
When Does Switching to Plan N Make Sense?
Plan N may be worth considering when:
- The premium difference between Plan G and Plan N is substantial.
- You are comfortable paying occasional office-visit copayments.
- You rarely use the emergency room.
- Most of your medical care is received in Pennsylvania.
- Your preferred out-of-state providers accept Medicare assignment.
- You can pass the new company’s medical underwriting.
- You want to keep Original Medicare and nationwide access to Medicare providers.
The goal is not simply to find the least expensive premium. It is to find an appropriate balance between premium, benefits and predictable out-of-pocket costs.
When Might Staying With Plan G Make More Sense?
Remaining with Plan G may make sense when:
- The available Plan N savings are small.
- You prefer fewer out-of-pocket charges when receiving care.
- You frequently visit physicians or hospital outpatient departments.
- You regularly receive care outside Pennsylvania.
- You do not want to worry about Part B excess charges.
- A health condition makes approval for a new policy difficult.
- Your current Plan G rate remains competitive.
Plan G is still strong coverage. A premium increase by itself does not mean you should immediately leave the plan.
The first step should be reviewing your present premium against other available options.
Can Health Problems Prevent You From Switching?
They can. Outside a protected enrollment period, insurance companies may use medical underwriting when evaluating an application.
Each company establishes its own underwriting questions and eligibility guidelines. One company may decline a health condition that another company handles differently.
That is why it is important to review your health history before submitting an application. Sending applications to several companies without understanding their guidelines can create unnecessary work and confusion.
Read Can I Switch Medicare Supplement Plans With Health Problems? for a more detailed explanation.
Can You Change Plans With the Same Insurance Company?
Possibly, but staying with the same company does not necessarily allow you to avoid underwriting.
A change from Plan G to Plan N is a change in benefits. Your current company may require a new application and medical review, just as another company would.
You should also compare other companies. Medicare Supplement benefits are standardized by plan letter, but premiums, household discounts, underwriting practices and rate histories can differ.
A Plan N from one company provides the same standardized medical benefits as a Plan N from another company. The price and company experience can still be different.
How to Switch Safely From Plan G to Plan N
- Review your current Plan G premium and effective date.
- Compare Plan N premiums from several reputable companies.
- Consider the annual savings, not merely the monthly difference.
- Review your healthcare use and comfort with Plan N copayments.
- Discuss your health history before choosing a company.
- Submit the application for the new Plan N policy.
- Wait for written approval.
- Confirm the approved premium and effective date.
- Only then arrange to end the old Plan G policy.
Do not cancel your Plan G policy while the Plan N application is still being reviewed.
If you cancel the old policy first and the Plan N application is declined, you could be left without the Medicare Supplement coverage you intended to keep.
How The DeAngelis Agency Can Help
The DeAngelis Agency is an independent Medicare insurance agency. That means we can compare Medicare Supplement options from multiple insurance companies instead of being limited to a single carrier.
We can help you:
- Compare your present Plan G premium with available Plan N rates
- Estimate whether the potential savings justify the additional cost sharing
- Review underwriting considerations before an application is submitted
- Compare multiple companies and available household discounts
- Coordinate effective dates so you do not cancel coverage prematurely
- Review the decision without pressure or obligation
There is no single Medicare Supplement plan that is best for everyone. The right choice depends on your health, budget, healthcare use and personal preference.
The Bottom Line
You may be able to switch from Medicare Supplement Plan G to Plan N and reduce your monthly premium. However, the change should only be made after comparing the actual savings, understanding Plan N’s copayments and confirming that the new coverage has been approved.
Plan N can be an excellent value for someone who is comfortable with modest cost sharing. Plan G may remain the better choice for someone who values more complete and predictable coverage.
Most importantly, never cancel your current Plan G policy until the new Plan N policy has been approved and its effective date has been confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N at any time?
You can apply during the year, but the insurance company may require medical underwriting unless you are within your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or have a guaranteed-issue right.
Do I have to wait for Medicare’s fall Open Enrollment Period?
No. The fall Medicare Annual Enrollment Period does not normally control changes between Medicare Supplement policies. You can apply at other times, subject to the insurance company’s underwriting rules.
Will Plan N cover the same hospitals and doctors as Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan N does not use a traditional provider network. You can generally use any healthcare provider in the United States that accepts Medicare.
Does Plan N cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible for people newly eligible for Medicare.
Does Plan N cover Part B excess charges?
No. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Pennsylvania prohibits Medicare balance billing by healthcare practitioners, but you should check whether providers accept Medicare assignment when receiving care outside Pennsylvania.
Can I switch back to Plan G later?
You may be able to apply for Plan G later, but you could be required to answer health questions. Approval may not be guaranteed. Do not assume you will always be able to return to your former plan.
Should I cancel Plan G as soon as I apply for Plan N?
No. Keep your existing Plan G policy until the new Plan N application has been approved and you have confirmed the premium and effective date.
Is Plan N always less expensive than Plan G?
Plan N frequently has a lower premium, but not in every situation. Rates depend on the insurance company, age, location, discounts and other rating factors.
Will Changing Medicare Supplement Plans Affect My Part D Plan?
Changing from one Medicare Supplement policy to another does not automatically change your separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.
Related Medicare Topics
- Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N
- Medicare Supplement Plan G
- Medicare Supplement Plan N
- Is Plan N Worth It in Pennsylvania?
- Can I Switch Medicare Supplement Companies?
- Medicare Supplement Underwriting in Pennsylvania
- My Medicare Supplement Rate Went Up
Related Local Pages
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Medicare can be confusing, but getting answers shouldn’t be.
Whether you’re enrolling for the first time, reviewing your current coverage, considering a plan change, or simply looking for a second opinion, I’m happy to help you understand your options and answer your questions.
I’ve been helping Medicare beneficiaries since 1985, and I’ve built my practice on straightforward advice, long-term relationships, and treating people the way I’d want my own family treated.
If you’d like to discuss your Medicare options, call or text The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828.
There’s no pressure and no obligation—just honest guidance to help you make a confident decision.