What is the average medicare plan G premium?
The average monthly cost for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan G generally ranges from $120 to $250 per month, with typical average premiums hovering around $140 to $180 per month for a 65-year-old non-smoker.
You can check official details on coverage through the Official Medicare Guide.
Key Cost Breakdown
- Standard Plan G: $100 to $350+ per month depending on age and location (national average averages about $150–$180).
- High-Deductible Plan G: $30 to $70 per month (requires you to pay a $2,950 deductible in 2026 before benefits kick in).
- Part B Deductible: You must also pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) out of pocket before Plan G begins covering your outpatient costs.
Factors That Affect Your Price
- Location: Premiums vary significantly by state and ZIP code.
- Age: Prices usually start lower at age 65 and increase as you get older (depending on how the policy is rated).
- Tobacco Use: Smokers generally pay higher monthly premiums.
- Insurance Carrier: Private companies set their own rates for identical standardized benefits.
You can read more about rate structures and ranges on Humana.
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).
Who has the cheapest Medicare Part G plan?
There is no single cheapest national provider for Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plan G, because rates vary entirely by your specific zip code, age, gender, and tobacco use. However, national analyses frequently rank HealthSpring (formerly Cigna), Anthem, and State Farm among the lowest-cost providers on average.
Top Low-Cost Plan G Providers
- HealthSpring (formerly Cigna): Frequently offers some of the lowest average monthly premiums and stacks discounts up to 25% for household members and online sign-ups.
- Anthem: Often features the lowest baseline rates for older demographics in select states and offers practical household discounts.
- State Farm: Known for very competitive baseline pricing, high customer satisfaction, and slow historical rate increases.
Why Prices Differ
- Standardized Benefits: Federal law requires all Plan G policies to offer the exact same core medical benefits, meaning price is the only difference between companies selling the same letter plan.
- Location Matters: Rates are calculated based on where you live, meaning the cheapest carrier in one state or zip code might be expensive in another.
- Discounts: Carriers offer varying savings if you live with a spouse or another adult, pay automatically via bank draft, or apply online.
You can check specific local prices and compare authorized carriers directly through the Official Medicare Plan Finder.
What is the disadvantage of plan G?
The primary disadvantage of Medicare Supplement Plan G is that it does not cover the Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), which you must pay out of pocket before coverage begins.
📉 Key Disadvantages of Plan G
- 📌 Part B Deductible: You pay the first $283 out of pocket.
- 📌 Higher Premiums: Costs more monthly than alternatives like Plan N.
- 📌 No Extra Benefits: Excludes routine dental, vision, hearing, and prescription drugs.
- 📌 Rate Increases: Subject to annual premium hikes driven by inflation and age.
📊 Comparing Plan G Drawbacks
| Feature | Regular Plan G | High-Deductible Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Premium | Higher ($160–$170 avg.) | Lower ($60–$70 avg.) |
| Initial Out-of-Pocket | Part B Deductible ($283) | High Deductible ($2,950) |
| Rate Hike Risk | Higher historical increases | Lower stable increases (2–3%) |
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 Medicare Supplement Plan G Worth It in 2026? (Full Breakdown)
How much should Medicare Part G cost?
Standard Medicare Supplement Plan G typically costs between $120 and $250 per month for a 65-year-old, depending on your location and carrier. (Note that it is formally called Medigap Plan G rather than "Part G").
Cost Breakdown for Plan G
- Monthly Premium: Averaging $140 to $180 per month in many areas, though it can be lower (around $100) or significantly higher (over $300) based on where you live and your age.
- Annual Part B Deductible: You must pay the first $283 out of pocket for Part B services in 2026 before Plan G coverage kicks in.
- High-Deductible Plan G: A lower-cost alternative with monthly premiums averaging $30 to $70, though you must pay a $2,950 deductible in 2026 before benefits start.
- Part B Premium: You must still pay your regular Medicare Part B premium separately.
Key Price Factors
- Location: Prices vary widely by state and ZIP code.
- Age and Pricing Type: Policies can be priced by your current age (attained-age), your age when you bought it (issue-age), or flat community rates. Premiums generally rise as you get older.
- Tobacco Use: Smokers often pay higher rates, while non-smokers can secure discounts.
- Insurance Provider: Private companies set their own rates, meaning Plan G from one insurer can cost much less than the exact same coverage from another in the same city. You can compare options and details via the official Medicare Medigap Guide.
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.
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.
What is the Medicare Part G premium in 2026?
Monthly premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan G in 2026 typically range from $100 to $200 per month for a 65-year-old, though costs vary widely based on your location, age, gender, and tobacco use.
Key Cost Details for 2026
- Standard Plan G Premium: Averages about $100–$200/month at age 65, but can rise to around $400/month for older beneficiaries (such as age 85) or in higher-cost areas like New York.
- Part B Deductible: You must pay an annual Medicare Part B deductible of $283 in 2026 before Plan G benefits kick in.
- High-Deductible Plan G: Offers a lower monthly premium (often under $60–$100/month), but carries an annual deductible of $2,950 in 2026 before coverage begins.
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.