Medicare Supplement Plan G

What is Medicare Supplement Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G is a standardized Medigap policy that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to cover many of the out-of-pocket costs that Medicare doesn’t pay. This plan is regulated by federal and state laws, ensuring consistent benefits regardless of which insurance company you choose.

Key Benefits of Plan G

Plan G covers nearly all Medicare cost-sharing expenses, providing comprehensive protection for your healthcare needs:

• Hospital deductible coverage: Pays the Part A deductible for hospital stays
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance: Covers your share of extended care costs
• Medicare Part B coinsurance: Pays the 20% coinsurance for doctor visits and outpatient services
• Blood coverage: Pays for the first three pints of blood needed for medical procedures
• Part A hospice coinsurance: Covers your share of hospice care costs
• Foreign travel emergency: Provides coverage for medical emergencies while traveling abroad

What Plan G Doesn’t Cover

The only major gap that Plan G doesn’t cover is the Medicare Part B annual deductible, which you’ll need to pay out-of-pocket each year. For 2024, this deductible is $240. Once you meet this deductible, Plan G covers virtually all other Medicare-approved expenses.

How Plan G Compares to Other Medigap Plans

Plan G vs. Plan F

While Plan F offers slightly more comprehensive coverage by including the Part B deductible, it’s no longer available to new Medicare beneficiaries who became eligible after January 1, 2020. Plan G has effectively replaced Plan F as the most comprehensive option for new enrollees.

Plan G vs. Plan N

Plan N offers lower premiums but requires copayments for doctor visits and emergency room visits. Plan G eliminates these copayments, providing more predictable healthcare costs.
For detailed comparisons of all Medicare Supplement plans, visit Medicare.gov’s Medigap comparison tool.

Enrollment and Eligibility

Open Enrollment Period

The best time to enroll in Plan G is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this six-month window, insurance companies cannot deny coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions.

Guaranteed Issue Rights

Certain qualifying events may give you guaranteed issue rights to enroll in Plan G outside of your open enrollment period, such as losing employer coverage or moving out of your Medicare Advantage plan’s service area.

Cost Considerations

Plan G premiums vary significantly based on:

• Geographic location: Costs differ substantially between states and regions
• Insurance company: Different insurers offer varying premium rates
• Pricing method: Community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age pricing structures
• Discounts: Some insurers offer household or non-smoker discounts

While Plan G typically has higher premiums than plans with less coverage, the comprehensive benefits often provide better value for frequent healthcare users.