The most popular Medigap plans today are Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G. That’s a change from a few years ago: Medigap Plan F, once the top seller, closed to new Medicare enrollees back in 2020. If you turned 65 or first became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, Plan F isn’t an option for you at all, so this guide focuses on the three Medicare Supplement plans you can actually buy today.
If you already have Plan F from before 2020, you can keep it and there’s no need to switch. For everyone else, the choice comes down to Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G. Each one is standardized, so a Plan G policy covers the same benefits no matter which company sells it; only the price and a few extras change.
By enrollment, Plan G is the most popular Medigap policy in the country, covering 39% of all Medigap policyholders (about 5.3 million people) as of 2023. Plan F still holds the second-largest share at 36%, mostly from people who bought in before the 2020 rule change and kept their coverage. Plan N ranks third, with about 10% of policyholders (roughly 1.4 million people). Source: KFF.
Plan G – Most Coverage, Predictable Costs
Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan among people newly eligible for Medicare. It covers nearly every gap Original Medicare leaves behind, including Part A hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance, hospice care, and foreign travel emergency care. The only cost you pay out of pocket is the Part B deductible ($283); once that’s met, Plan G picks up the rest. Learn more in our Plan G guide.
Plan N – Lower Premiums, A Few Small Copays
Plan N covers the same gaps as Plan G but trades a lower monthly premium for a bit of cost-sharing. You’ll pay a copay of up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits (waived if you’re admitted), and Plan N doesn’t cover Part B excess charges (the extra amount a doctor who doesn’t accept Medicare’s approved rate can bill). For people who don’t mind those small copays, Plan N can mean real monthly savings. See our Plan N details for the full picture.
High Deductible Plan G – Lowest Premiums, Higher Upfront Risk
High Deductible Plan G covers the same benefits as standard Plan G, but you pay a $2,960 annual deductible before the plan starts paying. Once you meet that deductible, coverage works the same as regular Plan G for the rest of the year. It’s often a good fit if you’re generally healthy, don’t see the doctor often, and want the lowest possible premium in exchange for taking on more risk upfront. Read more in our High Deductible G guide.
Plan G vs. Plan N vs. High Deductible G: Complete Coverage
Here’s how the three plans stack up against Original Medicare alone:
| Benefits | Original Medicare Alone | Medigap Plan G | Medigap Plan N | High Deductible Plan G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Network | Every doctor that accepts Medicare | Every doctor that accepts Medicare | Every doctor that accepts Medicare | Every doctor that accepts Medicare |
| Part A Hospital Benefit Period Deductible | You pay $1,736* | You pay $0 | You pay $0 | You pay $0 after deductible |
| Hospital days Coinsurance | You pay $434 for days 61-90, $868 per day for 60 lifetime reserve days | You pay $0 | You pay $0 | You pay $0 after deductible |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | You pay $217 per day from Day 21-100 | You pay $0 | You pay $0 | You pay $0 after deductible |
| First 3 Pints of Blood | You pay 100% | You pay $0 | You pay $0 | You pay $0 after deductible |
| Part B Annual Deductible | You pay $283 | You pay $283 | You pay $283 | Counts toward your $2,960 deductible |
| Part B Copays/Coinsurance | You pay 20% (Part B deductible applies) | You pay $0 after Part B deductible | You pay $0 after Part B deductible, plus up to $20 per office visit and $50 per ER visit | You pay $0 after your deductible is met |
| Part B Excess Charges | You pay 100% (Part B deductible applies) | You pay $0 after Part B deductible | Not covered | You pay $0 after your deductible is met |
| Foreign Travel Emergency | You pay 100% | Covered at 80% (up to $50,000 lifetime, after a $250 deductible) | Covered at 80% (up to $50,000 lifetime, after a $250 deductible) | Covered at 80% after your deductible (up to $50,000 lifetime) |
| More Info | Learn More about Original Medicare | Learn More about Plan G | Learn More about Plan N | Learn More about High Deductible G |
Which Plan Should You Choose?
There’s no single best answer among the three. Plan G tends to suit people who want predictable costs and don’t want to track copays. Plan N usually appeals to those comfortable with small, capped copays in exchange for a lower premium. High Deductible G is often the pick for someone healthy who wants the lowest monthly cost and can cover a larger bill if one comes up. For a full side-by-side breakdown, see our complete comparison of Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible G, or our Plan G vs. Plan N guide.
💡 Already have a Medigap plan and thinking about switching to one of these three? Medical underwriting is the main way to change plans outside of an enrollment window. Approval is possible even with some pre-existing conditions, though it’s never guaranteed. Our Medigap Underwriting Checker can help you see where you stand before you apply.
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