Medicare Supplement Plan G

Medicare Supplement Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medigap plans available to people enrolling in Medicare today. It works alongside Original Medicare to help pay many of the deductibles, coinsurance amounts and other healthcare costs that Medicare leaves behind.

After you satisfy the annual Medicare Part B deductible, Plan G generally pays the remaining Medicare-approved Part B coinsurance and copayments. It also covers the Medicare Part A hospital deductible, skilled-nursing facility coinsurance and qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges.

Plan G is not a Medicare Advantage plan. It does not replace Original Medicare, and a standard Plan G policy ordinarily does not use a doctor or hospital network.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan G provides the following standardized benefits:

Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance
Up to 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
The Medicare Part A deductible
Skilled-nursing facility care coinsurance
Medicare Part A hospice-care coinsurance or copayments
The first three pints of blood
Medicare Part B coinsurance and copayments
Qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges
Limited foreign-travel emergency coverage

In states that use the standard lettered Medigap plans, every standard Plan G policy provides the same core medical benefits regardless of which insurance company sells it.

The insurance company can affect your premium, household discounts, customer service, policy fees and long-term rate history. It cannot remove or reduce a standardized Plan G medical benefit.

Medicare provides an official comparison of standardized Medigap benefits.

What Does Plan G Not Cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan G does not cover the annual Medicare Part B deductible. In 2026, that deductible is $283.

Plan G also does not ordinarily cover:

Your monthly Plan G premium
Your Medicare Part B premium
Outpatient prescription drugs
Routine dental care
Routine vision care or eyeglasses
Hearing aids
Long-term custodial care
Services that Original Medicare does not cover
Private-contract charges from providers who have opted out of Medicare

Some companies may offer fitness memberships, discount programs or other non-insurance extras with certain policies. Those programs are separate from the standardized Plan G medical benefits and may change or be discontinued.

How Does Plan G Work After the Part B Deductible?

When you receive a Medicare-covered Part B service, Medicare processes the claim first.

You are responsible for the annual Part B deductible. After that deductible has been satisfied, Medicare generally pays its portion of the Medicare-approved amount and Plan G pays the remaining Part B coinsurance or copayment.

This means that after the deductible, you ordinarily should not have additional out-of-pocket costs for Medicare-approved Part B coinsurance. You must still pay for services that Medicare does not cover.

Medicare and the Plan G insurance company commonly coordinate claims electronically. In most cases, the provider submits the claim to Medicare rather than requiring you to file separate claims with both Medicare and the supplement company.

Does Plan G Cover Medicare Part B Excess Charges?

Yes. Medicare Supplement Plan G covers qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges.

An excess charge may occur when a non-participating provider treats a Medicare beneficiary but does not accept Medicare assignment for a particular covered service. Where legally permitted, the provider may charge above the Medicare-approved amount, subject to Medicare’s limiting-charge rules.

Plan G pays a qualifying excess charge when one legally applies. However, most providers who treat Medicare beneficiaries accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges occur much less frequently than many people assume.

How Do Excess Charges Affect Plan G in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania prohibits healthcare practitioners from billing Medicare beneficiaries above the Medicare-approved amount for covered services received in Pennsylvania.

Therefore, Pennsylvania residents generally do not need Plan G’s excess-charge benefit for Medicare-covered care received within Pennsylvania. The benefit is still included because Plan G is standardized.

Plan G’s excess-charge coverage may become relevant when a Pennsylvania resident receives care in another state where excess charges are permitted.

This does not mean every out-of-state provider will impose an excess charge. Most providers nationwide accept Medicare assignment. Plan G simply protects you if a qualifying excess charge is legally billed.

Are Non-Participating and Opt-Out Providers the Same?

No. These are two different situations.

A non-participating provider remains enrolled in Medicare but does not agree to accept Medicare assignment for every claim. Where permitted, that provider may bill a Medicare Part B excess charge when assignment is not accepted. Plan G covers qualifying excess charges.

A provider who opts out of Medicare has formally left the Medicare payment system for a required period. The provider may ask you to sign a private contract agreeing to pay for the service yourself.

Medicare generally does not pay for services provided under a valid private contract with an opt-out provider. Plan G does not pay the private-contract bill either.

Plan G covers qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges. It does not create Medicare coverage for unrestricted private charges from a provider who has opted out of Medicare.

Can You See Any Doctor With Plan G?

Generally, yes. A standard Medicare Supplement Plan G policy can be used with any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Original Medicare.

You ordinarily have:

No Medicare Supplement provider network
No primary-care referral requirement
No requirement that the provider contract separately with your Plan G company
Coverage when traveling anywhere within the United States

A healthcare provider can still decide whether to accept new Medicare patients. Having Plan G does not require every provider to accept you as a patient.

Medicare SELECT is an exception. A Medicare SELECT version of Plan G may require you to use certain hospitals and sometimes certain doctors to receive full supplemental benefits, except in emergencies.

Does Plan G Include Prescription Drug Coverage?

No. Medicare Supplement Plan G does not include outpatient prescription drug coverage.

Most people with Original Medicare and Plan G purchase a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan.

Your Plan G policy and Part D plan are separate policies. They can be issued by different insurance companies and have different premiums, formularies and enrollment rules.

Does Plan G Cover Foreign-Travel Emergencies?

Plan G includes limited coverage for qualifying foreign-travel emergencies.

The standardized benefit generally:

Pays 80% of qualifying emergency expenses after a $250 calendar-year deductible
Applies when the medical emergency begins during the first 60 days of a trip
Has a $50,000 lifetime maximum

This is not comprehensive international health insurance. Someone planning extended or frequent international travel may still want separate travel medical coverage.

Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan N

Plan G and Plan N cover the same major standardized hospital benefits. Both plans also require you to pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible.

The primary differences are:

Plan G

Generally has a higher monthly premium
Does not impose Plan N’s office or emergency-room copays
Pays Medicare Part B coinsurance after the deductible
Covers qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges

Plan N

Frequently has a lower monthly premium
May require up to a $20 copay for certain office visits
May require up to a $50 emergency-room copay when you are not admitted
Does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges

Plan G does not provide a larger doctor network than Plan N. Both standard plans can generally be used nationwide with providers who accept Original Medicare.

The better value depends primarily on the actual premium difference. If Plan N saves substantially more in annual premiums than you are likely to pay in copays, Plan N may provide the better overall value.

If the premium difference is small or you strongly prefer predictable healthcare expenses, Plan G may be worth the additional premium.

Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan F

Standard Plan F and Plan G provide nearly identical benefits. The primary difference is that Plan F covers the Medicare Part B deductible and Plan G does not.

Plan F is generally unavailable to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plan G remains available to people newly eligible for Medicare.

People who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, may still be able to purchase Plan F, depending on availability, enrollment rights and medical underwriting.

Even when Plan F is available, it is important to compare the annual premium difference with the Part B deductible. Paying a substantially higher premium simply to have the insurance company reimburse the deductible may not provide better overall value.

What Is High-Deductible Plan G?

High-deductible Plan G provides the same categories of standardized benefits as regular Plan G, but it does not begin paying those benefits until you satisfy a separate annual high deductible.

The high-deductible amount is $2,950 in 2026 and can change annually.

Before reaching that amount, Original Medicare continues paying its share of Medicare-approved expenses, but you pay the deductibles, coinsurance and copayments that Plan G would ordinarily cover.

After you satisfy the high deductible, the policy begins paying like standard Plan G for the remainder of the calendar year.

High-deductible Plan G commonly has a much lower premium than standard Plan G. However, it creates greater upfront financial responsibility and should not be confused with a standard Plan G policy.

How Much Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cost?

There is no single Plan G premium.

Your rate can depend on:

Insurance company
Age
ZIP code
Tobacco status
Household-discount eligibility
Pricing method
Application or policy fees
Available payment discounts
When you apply

Two companies can charge substantially different premiums for exactly the same standardized Plan G medical benefits.

When comparing rates, calculate the complete first-year cost, including application fees, recurring policy fees and the effect of any household discount.

The lowest introductory premium does not automatically provide the best long-term value. Rate history, customer service and administrative reliability should also be considered.

What Should You Compare Between Plan G Companies?

Because the standardized medical coverage is the same, compare:

Current monthly premium
Household discounts
Application and policy fees
Company rate history
Pricing method
Financial strength
Customer service
Billing and administrative reliability
Underwriting requirements
Non-insurance extras you genuinely expect to use

The company’s name on the policy does not determine which Medicare-participating doctors you can use with a standard Plan G policy.

When Is the Best Time to Enroll in Plan G?

The best time to purchase Plan G is usually during your six-month Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

For someone age 65 or older, this protected period begins the first month the person is both:

At least 65 years old
Enrolled in Medicare Part B

During this period, an insurance company cannot deny an eligible Plan G application, charge more because of health problems or require you to qualify through medical underwriting.

After the six-month period ends, you can still apply for Plan G. However, medical underwriting may apply unless you have a guaranteed-issue right or another protected enrollment opportunity.

Medicare’s October 15 through December 7 Annual Enrollment Period does not create a new annual Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period.

Can You Switch to Plan G Later?

You can apply to switch to Plan G during any month of the year in many states, including Pennsylvania.

However, the new insurance company may review your health history when you apply outside a protected enrollment period.

Your application may be:

Approved
Delayed while additional information is reviewed
Subject to additional health questions
Declined

Do not cancel your current Medicare Supplement policy merely because you submitted a Plan G application.

Keep your existing coverage until the new policy has been approved, the premium and effective date have been confirmed, and you have decided to keep the replacement coverage.

Who Should Consider Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Plan G may be worth considering if you:

Want comprehensive protection from Original Medicare’s major coverage gaps
Prefer predictable healthcare expenses
Do not want Plan N’s office or emergency-room copays
Want coverage for qualifying Medicare Part B excess charges
Frequently receive care outside Pennsylvania
Want nationwide access without an ordinary provider network
Are comfortable paying a potentially higher premium for fewer medical bills

Plan G may be less attractive if:

Its premium is substantially higher than Plan N
You are comfortable paying occasional Plan N copays
You receive most of your care in Pennsylvania
You primarily use providers who accept Medicare assignment
Your main objective is reducing monthly premiums

The right decision should be based on the complete annual cost—not simply which plan has the longest benefit list.

How Can an Independent Medicare Broker Help?

An independent Medicare broker can compare Plan G premiums from multiple insurance companies.

A broker can help you:

Compare Plan G with Plan N
Review company premiums
Identify household discounts
Calculate the total first-year cost
Evaluate company rate history
Explain medical underwriting
Compare standard and high-deductible Plan G
Coordinate policy effective dates
Avoid cancelling existing coverage prematurely

There is generally no additional fee to the consumer for using an independent Medicare broker.

The Bottom Line

Medicare Supplement Plan G provides some of the most comprehensive standardized coverage available to people enrolling in Medicare today.

You remain responsible for the annual Medicare Part B deductible. After that deductible is satisfied, Plan G generally pays the remaining Medicare-approved Part B coinsurance and copayments. It also covers the major standardized Part A expenses and qualifying Part B excess charges.

Plan G can be an excellent choice for someone who values predictable healthcare costs. However, it should still be compared carefully with Plan N because a significant premium difference can make Plan N the better overall value.

The right choice depends on the actual rates available, where you receive medical care and how strongly you value paying fewer bills when you use healthcare.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Medicare Supplement Plan G cover?

Plan G covers the Medicare Part A deductible, hospital coinsurance, skilled-nursing facility coinsurance, Part B coinsurance, qualifying Part B excess charges, the first three pints of blood and limited foreign-travel emergency care.

What is the main expense Plan G does not cover?

The principal Medicare cost Plan G does not cover is the annual Medicare Part B deductible.

Does Plan G have doctor or emergency-room copays?

Standard Plan G does not impose the office and emergency-room copays associated with Plan N. You remain responsible for the Part B deductible and services Medicare does not cover.

Can Plan G be used anywhere in the United States?

Yes. A standard Plan G policy can generally be used nationwide with doctors and hospitals that accept Original Medicare.

Does Plan G cover excess charges in Pennsylvania?

Plan G includes standardized excess-charge coverage. However, Pennsylvania prohibits providers from billing excess charges for Medicare-covered services received within Pennsylvania.

Does Plan G cover an opt-out doctor?

No. Medicare and Plan G generally do not pay for services received under a valid private contract with a provider who has opted out of Medicare.

Is Plan G better than Plan N?

Neither plan is automatically better. Plan G provides more predictable expenses, while Plan N frequently has a lower premium. The annual premium difference should be compared with Plan N’s potential copays.

Does Plan G include prescription drug coverage?

No. Outpatient prescription drug coverage is obtained separately through a Medicare Part D plan.

Is Plan G available to people newly eligible for Medicare?

Yes. Plan G remains available to people who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

Can I switch Plan G companies later?

You can apply to switch companies, but medical underwriting may apply outside your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment Period or another protected enrollment situation.

Schedule Your Medicare Consultation Today

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.

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If you’d like to discuss your Medicare options, call or text The DeAngelis Agency at 215-967-8828.

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