What does Medigap Plan N cover?

Plan N covers nearly everything Plan G does - including the Part A hospital deductible and the uncapped 20% Part B coinsurance - but with small copays: up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits (waived if admitted). It does not cover Part B excess charges, which are rare in California. In exchange, Plan N has a lower premium than Plan G.

What is the difference between Plan N and Plan G?

Plan G has a higher premium but essentially no cost-sharing after the annual Part B deductible. Plan N has a lower premium but includes small copays (up to $20 for some office visits, up to $50 for ER unless admitted) and doesn't cover Part B excess charges. For people who don't see doctors constantly, Plan N's premium savings often outweigh the small copays.

Are Plan N copays a big deal?

Usually not. The office copay is capped at $20 and doesn't apply to every visit; the ER copay of up to $50 is waived if you're admitted. For someone who sees the doctor occasionally, these small copays are typically far less than the premium savings versus Plan G. For very frequent users, the math can shift - we help you compare.

Does Plan N cover the 20% coinsurance?

Yes. Like Plan G, Plan N covers your 20% Part B coinsurance - the critical protection against Original Medicare's uncapped costs. The copays in Plan N are separate, small, and capped. You still get the core financial protection that makes a supplement worth having.

Is Plan N rising slower than Plan G?

In recent years, yes - Plan N's average rate increases have generally run a bit lower than Plan G's. Combined with Plan N's lower starting premium, this has made it increasingly attractive. That said, increases vary by carrier, and California's Birthday Rule lets you shop either plan annually to keep your rate competitive.

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Medigap Overview Plan GPlan NPlan G vs N Plan F vs G Comparison Chart Pricing & Discounts Choose a Company

Medigap Plan N in California (2026)

Key Takeaways

Plan N covers nearly as much as Plan G, but with small copays (up to $20 for some office visits, up to $50 for ER) in exchange for a lower premium.
Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges, rarely an issue in California, but worth knowing.
Plan N's rates have generally been rising slower than Plan G's in recent years.
It's a strong value if you don't mind small copays and want to save on premium.
Like all Medigap, Plan N benefits are standardized, shop on price, and use the Birthday Rule to switch.

Plan N is the value play in Medicare Supplements. It covers nearly everything Plan G does, but asks you to pay small copays in a few situations, and in exchange, your monthly premium is lower. For many people, it's the sweet spot. Here's how it works and when it wins.

What Does Plan N Cover?

Plan N covers the big stuff, including that uncapped 20% Part B coinsurance and the Part A hospital deductible. The differences from Plan G are small but worth understanding:

Small office copay

Up to $20 for some doctor office visits. Not every visit, and never more than $20.

Small ER copay

Up to $50 for emergency room visits, but it's waived if you're admitted.

Still covers the 20%

Like Plan G, Plan N covers your 20% Part B coinsurance, the critical protection.

Not Part B excess

Plan N doesn't cover Part B "excess charges", but these are rare in California.

Plan N vs Plan G: The Rate Trend

Here's an interesting development, Plan N's rates have generally been rising slower than Plan G's:

Average Rate Increase by Plan Type

California Medigap, Jan-Aug 2026

17.2%

16.3%

15.4%

14.3%

12.2%

12.1%

11.2%

10.9%

F High

10.7%

9.9%

HDG

7.3%

Source: CSG Actuarial. Plan G rose fastest (17.2%); High-Deductible G slowest (7.3%).

You can see Plan G rose 17.2% on average while Plan N rose 15.4%. It's a modest difference in a single year, but compounded over time, plus Plan N's lower starting premium, it can add up. This trend is one reason more shoppers are giving Plan N a serious look.

When Plan N makes the most sense

Plan N is often the better value if: you don't visit the doctor constantly (so the small copays don't add up), you want a lower monthly premium, and you're in California (where Part B excess charges, the thing Plan N doesn't cover, are rare because most providers accept Medicare assignment). For a healthy person who wants strong coverage at a lower price, Plan N is frequently the smart pick. We'll run the actual numbers for your situation.

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Plan N or Plan G?

It comes down to a simple trade: Plan G = higher premium, essentially no copays. Plan N = lower premium, small copays. If you rarely see doctors, Plan N's savings usually win. If you're a frequent user who wants zero surprises, Plan G's predictability may be worth the extra premium. See the full Plan G vs Plan N comparison, and remember, California's Birthday Rule lets you switch between them (to an equal or lesser plan) each year.