Does plan G cover Medicare Part A deductible?
Yes, standard Medigap Plan G fully covers the Medicare Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026).
What Plan G Covers for Part A
- 100% of the Part A deductible for each hospital benefit period.
- Part A hospital coinsurance and copayments.
- Up to an additional 365 days in the hospital after your Original Medicare benefits run out.
- Hospice care coinsurance and skilled nursing facility care coinsurance.
Important Distinction
- Part A Deductible: Covered 100% by standard Plan G.
- Part B Deductible: Not covered. You must pay the annual Part B outpatient deductible ($283 in 2026) out of pocket before Plan G begins covering other medical services.
- High-Deductible Plan G: If you have the high-deductible version of Plan G, you must pay out-of-pocket costs (including the Part A and Part B deductibles) up to the yearly limit ($2,950 in 2026) before the plan starts paying 100%.
You can read more about options on the Medicare Plan Benefits Comparison page.
What are the downsides of Medicare Plan G?
The main downside of Medicare Supplement Plan G is that it has higher monthly premiums than other supplement options like Plan N and does not cover the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
Key Disadvantages of Plan G
- Higher Monthly Premiums: Because Plan G offers very comprehensive coverage, its monthly rates tend to cost more than lower-tier Medigap plans.
- Uncovered Part B Deductible: You must pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible out of pocket before the plan begins paying for your medical care.
- No Extras (Dental, Vision, Hearing): Standard Medigap Plan G policies do not include coverage for routine dental care, eye exams, glasses, or hearing aids.
- No Prescription Drug Coverage: Plan G does not pay for outpatient prescriptions, meaning you must buy a separate Medicare Part D plan.
- Underwriting Risks Later: If you skip Plan G during your initial open enrollment period and try to switch to it later, you may have to pass medical underwriting or face higher rates based on your health.
What is the best Medicare supplemental plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan available for anyone newly eligible for Medicare, covering all of Original Medicare's out-of-pocket costs except for the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
Because Medigap benefits are federally standardized, every company selling Plan G must offer the exact same core coverage. The "best" Plan G depends entirely on which private insurance company offers the lowest price, best customer service, and most stable rate increases in your area.
Top-Rated Plan G Insurance Providers
Industry analyses for 2026 highlight several standout companies for Plan G:
- State Farm: Named best overall by NerdWallet for its low complaint rates and slow year-over-year price increases.
- AARP/UnitedHealthcare: Best for availability and member experience, offering nationwide coverage and strong digital management tools.
- HealthSpring (formerly Cigna): Best for low initial premiums and bundling/auto-pay discounts, though it tends to receive slightly more member complaints.
- Mutual of Omaha: Highly rated for low complaint volume and strong household discounts, though base rates can sometimes be higher depending on your location.
What Plan G Covers
- Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance and hospital costs (up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up)
- Part A and Part B coinsurance or copayments
- First 3 pints of blood
- Hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- Medicare Part B excess charges (the extra 15% a doctor can charge above the Medicare-approved amount if they don't take assignment)
- Foreign travel emergency care (up to plan limits)
What Plan G Does Not Cover
- The annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), which you must pay out-of-pocket before Plan G kicks in
- Routine dental, vision, or hearing care
- Prescription drugs (you need a separate Part D plan)
Which is better, Medicare F or G?
Medicare Plan G is generally the better and more practical choice for most people today, because Plan F is closed to new enrollees who became eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Both Medigap Plan F and Plan G offer nearly identical, highly comprehensive coverage for Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs. However, they differ in two main ways:
Key Differences
- Part B Deductible: Plan F covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Plan G does not cover this deductible, meaning you pay it out of pocket before coverage starts.
- Eligibility: Plan F is only available if you were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Plan G is open to all Medicare beneficiaries.
Cost and Value
- Premiums: Plan F usually costs more per month because it provides "first-dollar" coverage that includes the Part B deductible.
- Overall Savings: Plan G usually has lower monthly premiums. Even after paying the $283 Part B deductible out of pocket, Plan G is frequently the better financial value. Furthermore, because Plan F's risk pool is aging and closed to newcomers, its premiums may rise faster over time.
You can check your official options and compare benefits directly through the Medicare Plan Comparison Tool.
Is plan G worth the monthly premium?
Medicare Supplement Plan G is usually worth the monthly premium if you visit doctors frequently or want complete cost predictability with no network limits.
When Plan G is Worth It
- Extensive care: It covers 100% of out-of-pocket costs for approved services once you pay the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
- No network restrictions: You can see any doctor or specialist nationwide as long as they accept Original Medicare, with no referrals needed.
- No excess charges: It covers Part B excess charges (extra amounts a doctor can charge above the Medicare-approved amount).
When Plan G Might Not Be Worth It
- You are generally healthy: If you rarely see a doctor, paying a higher standard monthly premium ($120–$250) might cost more than paying out-of-pocket or choosing an alternative like a High-Deductible Plan G or Plan N.
- Budget flexibility is tight: Premiums tend to rise as you age, depending on how your state handles pricing (community-rated, issue-age-rated, or attained-age-rated).
How Does Medicare Plan G Cover Medications?
What is the average monthly cost of Medicare Plan G?
The average monthly cost for Medicare Supplement Plan G typically ranges from $120 to $220, with many 65-year-olds paying between $100 and $180 per month.
You can check official details and guidelines on Medicare.gov regarding supplemental coverage.
Key Cost Details
- Overall range: $100 to $300+ per month, depending heavily on your location, age, and gender.
- Age increases: Premiums often start around $142 a month at age 65 and can increase as you get older (if the plan uses an attained-age pricing model).
- High-Deductible Plan G: Averages about $50 to $58 per month, but requires you to pay a $2,950 deductible in 2026 before benefits begin.
Additional Costs to Remember
- Part B Deductible: Plan G does not cover the annual Medicare Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026.
- Part B Premium: You must still pay your standard Part B monthly premium on top of your Plan G premium.
What is not covered under Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G does not cover the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), out-of-pocket prescription drugs, or any service that Original Medicare itself excludes.
What Plan G Leaves Out
- Part B Deductible: You must pay this yearly amount out of pocket before Plan G starts paying for approved medical services.
- Prescription Medications: Medigap plans cannot pay for retail drugs; you need a separate Medicare Part D plan for coverage.
- Routine Dental and Vision: Plan G follows Original Medicare, which excludes routine dental exams, cleanings, glasses, and contact lenses.
- Hearing and Eye Exams: Routine hearing aids, fittings, and standard eye exams are not covered.
- Long-Term Care: Custodial care, non-skilled nursing home stays, and private-duty nursing are excluded.
Which is better, Medicare Part C or Part G?
Neither Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) nor Medigap Plan G is universally "better"; the right choice depends on your budget, health needs, and preference for doctor choice.
Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)
Medicare Advantage is an all-in-one private alternative to Original Medicare.
- Cost: Often has low or zero monthly premiums, but you pay copays and coinsurance as you use care.
- Coverage: Usually bundles prescription drug coverage (Part D) and adds extra perks like dental, vision, and hearing.
- Network: Restricts you to specific local networks (like HMOs or PPOs) and often requires prior approval for treatments.
- Protection: Features an annual out-of-pocket maximum limit.
Medigap Plan G (Medicare Supplement)
Plan G is a supplemental policy that works alongside Original Medicare.
- Cost: Requires a higher monthly separate premium, plus a separate Part D plan for prescription drugs.
- Coverage: Offers near-total coverage of Original Medicare's gaps ($0 copays for doctor and hospital visits once you meet the small Part B deductible).
- Network: Gives you nationwide freedom to see any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, with no referrals needed.
- Stability: Predictable costs with minimal surprise bills, but premiums can rise as you age.
Quick Comparison
- Choose Part C if you want lower monthly premiums, extra benefits like dental/vision, and do not mind staying within a local provider network.
- Choose Plan G if you want freedom to see any doctor nationwide, predictable medical bills, and fewer coverage restrictions when facing major health issues.
What is the biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare?
The biggest mistake seniors make when enrolling in Medicare is missing key enrollment deadlines, which can lead to permanent, lifelong late-enrollment penalties and gaps in medical coverage.
Top Medicare Enrollment Mistakes
- Missing the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): Your window to sign up is a 7-month period that starts 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and ends 3 months after. Missing this window without qualifying for a special enrollment period leads to delays and penalties.
- Failing to Understand Work Rules: Many seniors either sign up for Part B when they don't need to (because they are still working and covered by an employer with 20 or more employees) or fail to realize they must sign up when they retire, missing their 8-month special window.
- Ignoring Prescription Drug Coverage (Part D): Failing to sign up for Part D when first eligible—even if you take no medications—can trigger a permanent 1% penalty added to your monthly premium for every month you delayed.
- Confusing Advantage and Supplement Plans: Assuming a low-premium Medicare Advantage plan always means lower overall out-of-pocket costs without checking network restrictions, copays, and prior authorization rules. You can read more details on avoiding these errors via the AARP Medicare Guide.
What is the best insurance to have with Medicare for seniors?
The best insurance to have with Medicare depends on your health needs and budget, choosing between a Medigap (supplemental) policy for maximum doctor choice or a Medicare Advantage plan for bundled extra benefits.
You can learn more about evaluating these choices through the Consumer Reports Guide to Medicare Advantage or the Medicare.org Senior Insurance Overview.
Option 1: Original Medicare + Medigap (Supplement)
- How it works: You keep government-managed Original Medicare (Parts A and B) and buy private supplemental insurance (Medigap) to pay for things like copays, coinsurance, and deductibles. You also need a separate Part D plan for prescription drugs.
- Best for: People who want predictable medical bills and the freedom to see any doctor in the U.S. who accepts Medicare without needing referrals.
- Top providers: Humana and Mutual of Omaha are widely trusted for Medigap plans.
Option 2: Medicare Advantage (Part C)
- How it works: Private insurance companies replace Original Medicare with an all-in-one plan that bundles Part A, Part B, and usually prescription drug coverage (Part D).
- Best for: People who want lower monthly premiums and extra perks like dental, vision, hearing, and fitness memberships.
- Top providers: UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna lead the market in size, availability, and customer satisfaction ratings.