Medigap Plan G is the most popular Medicare Supplement plan available to people newly eligible for Medicare (those who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020). It covers virtually all of the gaps in Original Medicare except for the small annual Part B deductible.
What Plan G covers:
| Service | Plan G coverage |
|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs (after Original Medicare benefits) | 100% — covers up to an additional 365 days |
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | 100% |
| Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | 100% |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | 100% |
| Part A hospice coinsurance | 100% |
| Part B excess charges | 100% |
| Foreign travel emergency (80% after $250 deductible, $50K lifetime max) | Yes |
| First 3 pints of blood | 100% |
| Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026) | NOT covered — you pay this |
The bottom line on cost: After you pay the $283 Part B deductible once per year, Plan G pays 100% of any Medicare-approved service for the rest of the year. Combined with a Part D drug plan (which Medigap doesn't include), your annual out-of-pocket for medical services is essentially $283.
What Plan G doesn't cover (because Medicare doesn't):
- Prescription drugs (you add a separate Part D plan)
- Routine dental, vision, hearing
- Long-term custodial care
- Cosmetic surgery
Who should consider Plan G:
- Snowbirds and frequent travelers — covers any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide and includes 80% foreign travel emergency coverage
- People who want predictable healthcare costs — once you pay the Part B deductible, costs are essentially $0
- People with multiple specialists and chronic conditions — no per-visit copays, no surprise coinsurance
- People who don't want network restrictions — see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare
- People comfortable with a higher monthly premium in exchange for low out-of-pocket
Who might prefer Plan N or Plan K instead:
- Plan N: $40–$60/month cheaper than Plan G but you pay up to $20 office visit copay, $50 ER copay (waived if admitted), and the Part B deductible. Best for healthy people with infrequent doctor visits.
- Plan K and Plan L: Cover only a percentage (50% or 75%) of certain costs but have annual out-of-pocket caps after which they pay 100%. Best for people who want the lowest premium and accept more cost-sharing.
How much does Plan G cost in 2026?
Premiums vary widely by:
- Age: Younger Medicare beneficiaries (65–69) pay less; premiums rise with age in most states
- Gender: Women typically pay less than men in most states
- ZIP code: Same plan, same age, same gender — premium can vary by $50–$100/month between ZIPs
- Carrier: Mutual of Omaha, AARP/UHC, Anthem, Cigna, Aetna, and dozens of regional carriers all sell identical Plan G coverage at different prices
- Tobacco status: Tobacco users pay more in most states
- Pricing method: Attained-age (rises annually), issue-age (locked at enrollment age but rises with inflation), or community-rated (everyone pays same regardless of age)
Typical 2026 ranges: $130–$180/month for a 65-year-old female non-smoker; $250–$350/month for a 75-year-old; $400+ for an 85-year-old in some states.
Always shop multiple carriers. The same Plan G from different carriers in the same ZIP can differ by $40–$80/month for IDENTICAL coverage. Your savings over 10 years could be $5,000–$10,000 just by picking the right carrier.
What to do next: Call (866) 534-1886. We compare Plan G premiums from every carrier in your state, including small regional carriers that often have the lowest rates. Free, no obligation.