What is UnitedHealthcare Part G?
UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement Plan G is a Medigap policy that fills coverage gaps in Original Medicare (Parts A and B), paying for most leftover out-of-pocket costs except the annual Part B deductible.
What Plan G Covers
- Medicare Part A: Hospital coinsurance, costs, and the Part A deductible.
- Medicare Part B: Coinsurance and copayments for doctor visits and services.
- Part B Excess Charges: Extra amounts a doctor may charge above the Medicare-approved amount.
- Skilled Nursing Facility: Coinsurance costs.
- Foreign Travel Emergency: Care outside the U.S. (usually 20% coinsurance after a $250 deductible, up to a lifetime maximum).
What Plan G Does Not Cover
- Part B Deductible: You must pay this annual deductible out of pocket before Plan G begins covering Part B services.
- Prescription Drugs: Medigap plans do not include drug coverage; you need a separate Part D plan.
Key Features of UnitedHealthcare Plan G
- Doctor Choice: See any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare patients, with no referrals needed.
- AARP Association: UnitedHealthcare’s version is often tied to an AARP Medicare Supplement Plan, meaning you must be an AARP member to join.
- Extra Perks: Often includes value-added wellness features like a Renew Active gym membership and vision, hearing, or dental discounts.
What are the disadvantages of Medicare Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G features comprehensive benefits, but it also has several notable disadvantages including higher monthly premiums, out-of-pocket costs for the Part B deductible, and a lack of coverage for prescription drugs, dental, or vision care.
Main Disadvantages of Plan G
- Higher Monthly Premiums: Because Plan G offers extensive coverage, its monthly premium is generally higher than lower-tier supplemental options like Plan N or high-deductible plans.
- Does Not Cover the Part B Deductible: You must pay the annual Medicare Part B deductible out of pocket ($283 in 2026) before Plan G begins covering your remaining Part B coinsurance and approved costs.
- No Prescription Drug Coverage: Plan G does not include outpatient prescription drugs, meaning you must purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan for medication coverage.
- No Extra Benefits: Like most Original Medicare supplements, Plan G does not cover routine dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term/custodial care.
- Potential for Rate Increases: Premiums can rise over time based on your age (attained-age rating) or general healthcare inflation, making future costs harder to predict.
Why would I need Medicare Part G?
You need Medicare Supplement Plan G (often called Medigap Plan G) to cover the leftover medical costs that Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not pay.
What Plan G Covers
- Hospital costs: Pays the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026) and coinsurance.
- Doctor visits: Covers the remaining 20% Part B coinsurance for outpatient care after you meet the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026).
- Excess charges: Pays 100% of doctor excess charges if a provider charges more than the Medicare-approved amount.
- Foreign travel: Covers 80% of emergency medical care costs during travel outside the U.S. (up to plan limits).
Why People Choose Plan G
- Low out-of-pocket costs: After you pay the yearly Part B deductible, you pay nothing out of pocket for covered medical services.
- No network restrictions: You can see any doctor or specialist in the U.S. who accepts Medicare, without needing a referral.
- Predictable care: It offers peace of mind and financial protection if you face a serious health crisis or chronic condition.
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.
How much does Medicare Part G cost a month?
The monthly premium for a standard Medicare Supplement Plan G (Medigap) generally ranges between $120 and $250 per month for a 65-year-old. Across all age brackets and geographic regions, the total cost range can span from $79 to over $500+ per month. Alternatively, High-Deductible Plan G offers much lower premiums, averaging $30 to $70 per month.
Because Plan G is sold by private insurance companies, prices fluctuate significantly based on personal demographics and location. However, the federal government standardizes the benefits. A cheaper Plan G provides the exact same medical coverage as a highly expensive one.
Estimated Monthly Premiums by Option (2026)
| Plan G Variant | Average Monthly Premium | What You Pay Out-of-Pocket |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Plan G | $120 – $250 | You pay only the $283 annual Part B deductible. The plan then covers 100% of remaining Medicare-approved costs. |
| High-Deductible Plan G | $30 – $70 | You pay a $2,950 annual deductible before the plan begins covering your out-of-pocket costs. |
Key Factors That Change Your Monthly Cost
- Your Age: Premiums are lowest when you first sign up at age 65 (averaging around $120–$143) and increase as you get older, sometimes reaching over $300 a month by age 85 or older.
- Location: Insurance prices vary dramatically by ZIP code. For example, a 65-year-old might pay around $124 in Phoenix but upwards of $400+ in New York for the exact same coverage.
- Pricing Methods: Companies price policies using three structures: Community-rated (everyone pays the same regardless of age), Issue-age-rated (based on your age when you buy; doesn't go up due to aging), or Attained-age-rated (starts low but increases automatically as you grow older).
- Discounts and Habits: Many carriers offer discounts for non-smokers, women, couples enrolling together, or those setting up automatic monthly bank payments.
Important Cost Reminders
A Medigap policy is secondary coverage. You must continue to pay your standard Medicare Part B monthly premium ($202.90/month in 2026) in addition to your Plan G premium. Additionally, Plan G does not include prescription drug coverage, meaning you will need to purchase a separate Medicare Part D plan to cover medications.
The most effective way to secure the lowest possible rate is to shop and compare plans using the official Medicare Plan Finder during your initial 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period. During this window, insurers cannot use medical underwriting to deny you coverage or charge you more for pre-existing health conditions.
UnitedHealthcare How It Works Video Series: Member Delighters
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.
What company has the best Medicare plan G?
Because Medicare Plan G benefits are standardized by the federal government, every company offers the exact same coverage, meaning the "best" company depends on finding the lowest price and strongest customer service in your area.
Top-rated national providers for Plan G include:
- Best Overall: AARP/UnitedHealthcare offers nationwide availability and very low complaint rates.
- Best for Low Prices: HealthSpring (formerly Cigna) consistently features some of the lowest monthly premiums.
- Best for Financial Stability & Slow Increases: State Farm has a top AM Best rating and a history of slow premium increases.
- Best for Household Discounts: Mutual of Omaha offers strong financial backing and large household discounts.
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).
What is not covered by Medicare Plan G?
Medicare Supplement Plan G does not cover the Medicare Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026) or any services that Original Medicare does not cover at all.
What Plan G Excludes
Because Medigap Plan G only covers out-of-pocket costs approved by Original Medicare, it leaves out the exact same category-wide gaps:
- Part B Deductible: You must pay this yearly amount out of pocket before Plan G begins paying its share.
- Outpatient Prescription Drugs: Plan G does not cover retail prescription medications; you need a separate Medicare Part D plan for this.
- Routine Dental Care: Cleanings, fillings, tooth extractions, and dentures are excluded.
- Vision Care: Routine eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses are not covered (except for post-cataract surgery eyewear).
- Hearing Care: Hearing exams for fittings and hearing aids are excluded.
- Long-Term Custodial Care: Non-medical or long-term nursing home care is not covered.
Do I need Medicare Part B if I have Part G?
Yes, you need Medicare Part B to have a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) Plan G.
How Part B and Plan G Work Together
- Part B is required: You must be enrolled in Original Medicare (both Part A and Part B) before you can buy a Medigap Plan G policy.
- Plan G is secondary coverage: Medigap Plan G is supplemental insurance. It does not replace Original Medicare; instead, it fills the "gaps" left behind by Part A and Part B (such as your Part B coinsurance or copayments).
- The Part B connection: Plan G actually covers the remaining 20% of outpatient costs that Part B leaves you responsible for, though you must still pay the annual Part B deductible yourself before Plan G kicks in.
Without Medicare Part B, you cannot purchase or maintain a Medigap Plan G policy.