Medigap Plan N is a Medicare Supplement insurance plan that balances strong coverage with lower premiums. It covers most of the gaps left by Original Medicare, including Part A deductibles and Part B coinsurance. However, it requires small copays for certain doctor visits and emergency room trips.
Medigap Plan N does not cover the annual Part B deductible or Part B excess charges. These trade-offs keep monthly premiums noticeably lower than comparable plans. In 2026, it remains one of the most popular choices among the 10 standardized Medigap plan letters. For budget-conscious Medicare beneficiaries who want reliable coverage without the highest premiums, this plan deserves a close look.
What Does Medigap Plan N Cover?
Medigap Plan N covers most out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. It pays the Part A deductible, which is $1,736 in 2026. Part A hospital coinsurance is covered for up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are exhausted. Skilled nursing facility coinsurance is fully covered. The first three pints of blood are included. Foreign travel emergency care is covered at 80 percent. Part A hospice care coinsurance is also paid in full.
Plan N covers Part B coinsurance with two small exceptions. You may pay up to $20 for some doctor office visits. You may also pay up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in hospital admission. If you are admitted, the ER copay is waived. These amounts are the federal maximums. Some insurance carriers charge less or nothing at all.
There are two notable gaps in this plan. It does not pay the annual Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. It also does not cover Part B excess charges. Excess charges occur when a doctor bills above the Medicare-approved amount. However, most doctors accept Medicare assignment. As a result, excess charges are uncommon in most parts of the country.
Medigap Plan N Benefits Table
| Coverage Area | Plan N | Plan G | Plan F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A Hospital Coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A Deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part B Coinsurance | Yes (with copays) | Yes (100%) | Yes (100%) |
| Part B Deductible ($283 in 2026) | No | No | Yes |
| Part B Excess Charges | No | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| First 3 Pints of Blood | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (80%) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Office Visit Copay | Up to $20 | $0 | $0 |
| ER Copay (not admitted) | Up to $50 | $0 | $0 |
Plan F is the most comprehensive Medigap option. However, it is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is identical to Plan F except it does not cover the Part B deductible. Medigap Plan N offers similar coverage to Plan G but trades two small gaps for lower monthly premiums.
How Much Does Medigap Plan N Cost?
Medigap Plan N typically costs less per month than Plan G from the same carrier. The exact savings depend on your location, age, and insurance company. In most cases, the premium difference is meaningful enough to make Plan N attractive for seniors watching their budget.
Insurance companies use three pricing methods for Medigap policies. Community-rated plans charge the same premium regardless of your age. Issue-age-rated plans base premiums on the age when you first enroll. Attained-age-rated plans increase your premium as you get older. Attained-age pricing is the most common method nationwide. It typically starts lower but costs more over time.
When comparing costs, consider more than just the monthly premium. With Medigap Plan N, you pay the $283 Part B deductible each year. You also pay small copays for some visits. For example, ten doctor visits in a year would cost a maximum of $200 in copays. Add the deductible, and your total extra annual cost stays under $500. If your Plan N premium saves more than that compared to Plan G, it is the better financial choice for the year.
Who Should Choose Medigap Plan N?
Medigap Plan N is ideal for healthy seniors who want strong coverage at a lower price. It works well for people who do not visit the doctor frequently. The small copays are easy to manage for most beneficiaries. If you rarely go to the emergency room, the $50 copay is unlikely to matter.
This plan is also a good fit when your doctors accept Medicare assignment. Doctors who accept assignment agree to charge only the Medicare-approved amount. As a result, Part B excess charges do not apply. Typically, the vast majority of doctors nationwide accept assignment. If nearly all providers in your area participate, the lack of excess charge coverage is not a real concern.
However, Plan N may not suit everyone. If you see specialists frequently, the copays can add up. If you live in an area where many doctors do not accept assignment, Plan G provides better protection against excess charges. Seniors who prefer zero out-of-pocket costs beyond their premium should consider Plan G instead. In most cases, healthier beneficiaries save money with Plan N while those with frequent medical needs prefer Plan G.
Medigap Plan N vs Plan G vs Plan F
Plan G and Plan N are the two most popular Medigap plans in 2026. Plan F remains available only to those eligible before 2020. Understanding the key differences helps you choose the right level of coverage.
| Feature | Plan N | Plan G | Plan F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | Lowest of the three | Middle | Highest |
| Part B Deductible | You pay ($283) | You pay ($283) | Covered |
| Part B Excess Charges | You pay | Covered | Covered |
| Office Visit Copay | Up to $20 | $0 | $0 |
| ER Copay (not admitted) | Up to $50 | $0 | $0 |
| Available After 2020 | Yes | Yes | No |
| Best For | Budget-conscious, healthy seniors | Comprehensive coverage seekers | Pre-2020 enrollees wanting zero gaps |
The key difference between Medigap Plan N and Plan G comes down to two items. Plan G covers Part B excess charges, while Plan N does not. Plan G charges no copays for office or ER visits. Plan N has small copays for both. In exchange, Plan N offers lower monthly premiums. For most beneficiaries, the annual premium savings outweigh the small copays and the unlikely excess charges.
Plan F covers the Part B deductible on top of everything Plan G includes. However, Plan F premiums tend to be the highest of all Medigap plans. Since no new enrollees have joined Plan F since 2020, its risk pool is aging. This can push premiums higher over time. For those who still qualify, Plan G or Plan N often provides better long-term value.
How to Buy Medigap Plan N
The best time to buy Medigap Plan N is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This six-month window starts the first month you have Medicare Part B and are 65 or older. During this period, insurers cannot deny you coverage. They also cannot charge higher premiums due to pre-existing health conditions. This is your one guaranteed opportunity to buy any Medigap plan at standard rates.
Outside the Open Enrollment Period, you may still have guaranteed issue rights. These apply in specific situations. For example, if your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area, you can switch to Medigap without medical underwriting. The same applies if you lose employer or union group coverage. You must apply within 63 days of losing your previous plan. Some states offer additional protections. New York and Connecticut, for example, require insurers to accept Medigap applicants year-round.
Medigap Plan N is available in 47 states under the federal standardized system. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin use their own state-specific Medigap plan structures. Benefits are standardized, so the coverage you receive is identical regardless of which insurer you choose. However, premiums vary widely between companies. Always compare quotes from at least three carriers in your area before purchasing a policy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medigap Plan N
Does Plan N cover prescription drugs?
No. No Medigap plan covers prescription drugs. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage. You can enroll in Part D during your Initial Enrollment Period or during the Annual Enrollment Period each fall.
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N later?
Yes, you can apply to switch at any time. However, outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, the insurer may require medical underwriting. This means they can review your health history and potentially deny coverage. Some states have birthday rules or annual open enrollment periods that allow switching without underwriting.
Are the Plan N copays always $20 and $50?
These are the federal maximum copay amounts. Your insurance carrier may charge less or waive the copay entirely. The $50 emergency room copay only applies when you are not admitted to the hospital. If your ER visit results in admission, the copay is waived completely.
Is Medigap Plan N better than Medicare Advantage?
These are fundamentally different approaches to Medicare coverage. Medigap Plan N works alongside Original Medicare and lets you see any doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide. Medicare Advantage plans often use provider networks and may require referrals. However, Advantage plans frequently include prescription drug coverage and extra benefits like dental and vision. Your best choice depends on whether you value provider flexibility or bundled benefits.
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Official Sources & Resources
For verified Medicare information and enrollment help:
- Medicare.gov: medicare.gov
- CMS.gov: cms.gov
- NAIC Medigap Guide: naic.org
- KFF Medicare Research: kff.org/medicare
- Find Your SHIP: medicare.gov/contacts
Content last reviewed April 2026. If you notice any outdated information, please contact us.