Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N vs. High Deductible Plan G
Published on July 8, 2026
Many people shopping for Medicare Supplement coverage compare Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G because they are three of the most common options available to new Medicare beneficiaries.
At first glance, the choice may seem simple. Plan G usually has the highest premium, Plan N usually costs less, and High Deductible Plan G can have the lowest monthly premium of the three.
But the cheapest premium does not always mean the lowest overall cost. The real question is:
How much risk are you comfortable taking on in exchange for a lower monthly premium?
In this guide, we will compare:
- Medicare Supplement Plan G
- Medicare Supplement Plan N
- High Deductible Plan G
- Original Medicare alone
We will also walk through real-life medical scenarios so you can see how each option may work during a healthy year, a moderate medical year, and a major medical event
The Main Difference Between Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G
Medigap Comparison
The Main Difference Between Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G
These three Medicare Supplement options can all work well, but they handle premiums and out-of-pocket costs differently.
Plan G is one of the most predictable Medicare Supplement options. With Plan G, you are responsible for the Medicare Part B deductible. After that deductible is met, Plan G pays all remaining Medicare-approved cost-sharing for the year.
Best Fit
People who want simple, predictable coverage and do not want to worry about surprise medical bills throughout the year.
Plan N is often considered the middle-ground option. It has a lower monthly premium than Plan G, but you have some out-of-pocket costs when you use care.
You Pay
✓ The Medicare Part B deductible
✓ Up to a $20 copay for some office visits
✓ $50 copay for emergency room visits if you are not admitted
✓ Medicare Part B excess charges, if your provider does not accept Medicare assignment
Best fit: People who want strong coverage but are comfortable with occasional copays in exchange for a lower premium.
HDG
Lowest Premium
High Deductible Plan G
High Deductible Plan G has the same benefit structure as regular Plan G, but the plan does not begin paying until you meet the annual high deductible.
How It Works
You have a much lower monthly premium, but you are responsible for Medicare cost-sharing until the deductible is met.
After the deductible: High Deductible Plan G works like standard Plan G for the rest of the year.
Simple way to think about it: Plan G offers the most predictable coverage, Plan N lowers the premium by adding some copays, and High Deductible Plan G lowers the premium further by making you meet a larger deductible before the supplement begins paying.
Quick Comparison Table
Out-of-Pocket Exposure
Side By Side Comparison
Here is a simple way to compare how each option may feel in a healthy year, a moderate-use year, and a major medical year.
| Plan Option |
Best Case |
Moderate Use |
Major Medical Year |
Worst-Case Exposure |
| Plan G |
Higher premium, very low medical bills |
Very predictable after the Part B deductible |
Very predictable |
Part B deductible |
| Plan N |
Lower premium, small copays possible |
Some office visit or ER copays are possible |
Strong coverage, but some exposure remains |
Part B deductible, copays, and possible excess charges |
| High Deductible Plan G |
Lowest premium |
More cost sharing until the deductible is met |
Deductible likely met, then works like Plan G |
Annual high deductible |
| Original Medicare Alone |
No supplement premium |
20% Part B coinsurance can add up |
Significant exposure |
No annual out-of-pocket limit |
Simple way to think about it: Plan G is usually the most predictable, Plan N reduces the premium but adds some possible cost sharing, High Deductible Plan G lowers the premium the most but shifts more upfront risk to the beneficiary, and Original Medicare alone has no built-in annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Real Life Examples
Real-Life Scenario #1
A Healthy Year
This person has a light-use year with only a few routine medical services.
What They Used This Year
3
Primary care visits
1
Specialist visit
✓
Routine bloodwork
1
Basic outpatient test
Likely Best Value In This Scenario
High Deductible Plan G
In a healthy year with limited medical use, High Deductible Plan G may have the lowest total annual cost because the monthly premium is usually much lower and the person may not use enough care to come close to the high deductible.
1
High Deductible Plan G
Usually benefits most in this example because the premium savings may outweigh the limited out-of-pocket costs.
2
Plan N
A strong middle-ground option if the person wants lower premiums than Plan G but does not mind a few small copays.
3
Plan G
Very predictable, but the higher premium may be harder to justify in a year with very little medical use.
4
Original Medicare Alone
May look inexpensive during a healthy year, but it leaves the person exposed to ongoing Medicare deductibles and coinsurance if care increases.
Important: This ranking only applies to a healthy year with limited medical use. The best option can change quickly if the person has surgery, hospitalization, cancer treatment, or other high-cost care.
Real-Life Scenario #2
Doctor Visits and Outpatient Testing
This person uses more outpatient care during the year, including specialist visits, lab work, and an MRI.
What They Used This Year
✓
Several specialist visits
1
MRI
✓
Lab work
✓
Follow-up appointments
Likely Best Fit In This Scenario
Plan G
Plan G benefits most in this outpatient testing scenario because, after the Part B deductible is met, all Medicare-approved cost sharing is covered. That makes the MRI, specialist visits, lab work, and follow-up care easier to budget for.
1
Plan G
Usually benefits most here because the beneficiary pays the Part B deductible, then Plan G covers the remaining Medicare-approved cost sharing.
2
Plan N
Can still work well, but the beneficiary may pay office visit copays. They could also owe Part B excess charges if a provider does not accept Medicare assignment.
3
High Deductible Plan G
Exposes the beneficiary to more out-of-pocket costs because outpatient services are billed under Part B. They pay 20% coinsurance until the high deductible is met.
4
Original Medicare Alone
Leaves the beneficiary responsible for the Part B deductible and 20% coinsurance, with no built-in annual out-of-pocket maximum.
Simple way to think about it: Once outpatient testing and specialist care enter the picture, Plan G becomes more attractive because it limits the uncertainty after the Part B deductible is met.
Real-Life Scenario #3
Outpatient Surgery
This person has outpatient surgery with Medicare-approved charges of $15,000.
What They Used This Year
$15,000
Medicare-approved outpatient surgery
Part B
Outpatient services are billed under Part B
20%
Original Medicare coinsurance exposure
Most Predictable In This Scenario
Plan G
Plan G is usually the most predictable option here because, after the Part B deductible, it covers the remaining Medicare-approved cost-sharing for outpatient surgery.
1
Plan G
They pay the Part B deductible. After that, Plan G covers the remaining Medicare-approved cost sharing.
2
High Deductible Plan G
They pay Medicare cost-sharing until the high deductible is met. In a surgery scenario, they may reach the deductible quickly. After that, the plan works like regular Plan G for the rest of the year.
3
Plan N
They pay the Part B deductible. Plan N covers Medicare-approved cost sharing, but possible copays and Part B excess charges can still apply.
4
Original Medicare Alone
They owe the Part B deductible plus about 20% coinsurance. On a $15,000 Medicare-approved outpatient surgery, that would be approximately $3,000 in coinsurance.
Simple way to think about it: As outpatient costs get larger, Plan G becomes more attractive because it limits uncertainty after the Part B deductible. High Deductible Plan G may still be a strong value, but the beneficiary has to be comfortable paying toward the high deductible first.
Real-Life Scenario #4
Catastrophic Hospitalization
This person has a major medical year involving emergency hospitalization, surgery, inpatient care, and follow-up treatment.
What They Used This Year
ER
Emergency hospitalization
✓
Surgery
Days
Several days inpatient
SNF
Skilled nursing or follow-up care
+
Additional outpatient therapy
Most Predictable Protection
Plan G
Plan G provides the most predictable protection in a catastrophic year. The beneficiary’s main medical out-of-pocket exposure is the Medicare Part B deductible.
1
Plan G
Benefits most for predictability. After the Part B deductible, Plan G covers most remaining Medicare-approved cost-sharing.
2
High Deductible Plan G
Strong catastrophic protection after the high deductible is met. The key difference is that the beneficiary must take on more upfront risk before the plan begins paying.
3
Plan N
Also provides strong protection, but the beneficiary will need to account for Plan N copays and possible Part B excess charges.
4
Original Medicare Alone
Leaves the beneficiary with no true annual out-of-pocket maximum. A major hospitalization plus outpatient follow-up care can create significant financial exposure.
Important distinction: High Deductible Plan G is not weak coverage. It can provide strong catastrophic protection, but the beneficiary has to be comfortable paying more upfront before the deductible is met.
Total Annual Cost by Medical Usage
Visual Illustration
How Total Annual Costs Can Grow
This heat map shows how total yearly costs may change as medical usage increases, including premiums and potential medical bills.
How to read this: Lighter cells represent lower estimated total annual costs. Darker orange-red cells show higher potential exposure as medical usage increases.
| Plan Option |
Very Low Usage |
Low Usage |
Moderate Usage |
High Usage |
Very High Usage |
|
Plan G
Higher premium, most predictable
|
$2,500
|
$2,500
|
$2,500
|
$2,500
|
$2,500
|
|
Plan N
Lower premium, some copays possible
|
$1,900
|
$2,000
|
$2,100
|
$2,150
|
$2,200+
|
|
High Deductible Plan G
Lowest premium, more upfront risk
|
$900
|
$1,700
|
$3,000
|
$3,800
|
$3,800
|
|
Original Medicare Alone
No supplement premium, no annual limit
|
$0
|
$800
|
$3,000
|
$5,500
|
$7,500+
|
Cost exposure:
Lower
Moderate
Higher
Simple way to read this: Plan G starts higher but stays steady. Plan N starts lower and rises slightly. High Deductible Plan G starts low but can rise quickly before leveling off. Original Medicare alone starts lowest, but costs can continue growing because there is no annual out-of-pocket maximum.
These numbers are for illustration only and are not quotes. Actual costs depend on premiums, the Medicare-approved amount, deductibles, provider billing, and the amount of care used.
What Is Best For Me?
Choosing between Plan G, Plan N, High Deductible Plan G, or Original Medicare alone is not just a coverage decision. It is a balance between:
- Monthly premium
- Predictability
- How much financial risk you are comfortable taking on
Each option can make sense for the right person, but they work very differently when you actually use your coverage.
Choose Plan G If You Want the Most Predictable Coverage
Plan G is usually the best fit for someone who wants the most predictable Medicare Supplement experience available to new Medicare beneficiaries.
With Plan G, you are choosing to pay a higher monthly premium in exchange for fewer out-of-pocket surprises when you receive Medicare-approved medical care. After you pay the Medicare Part B deductible, Plan G covers the remaining Medicare-approved cost-sharing that Original Medicare leaves behind.
Choose Plan G If
You Want Predictable Coverage
| Plan G May Fit If You Want… |
Why It Matters |
| Fewer surprises |
You want a predictable experience when you use care. |
| No doctor visit copays |
You prefer not to pay small copays when seeing doctors. |
| Protection from excess charges |
You do not want to worry about providers charging above Medicare’s approved amount. |
| Strong medical cost protection |
You are comfortable paying more monthly to limit exposure later. |
A simple way to explain it: Plan G is for someone who would rather pay a higher premium and have fewer questions when they use medical care.
Choose Plan N If You Want a Lower-Premium Middle Ground
Plan N is a strong option for someone who wants to reduce their monthly premium but does not want the larger upfront deductible that comes with High Deductible Plan G.
With Plan N, you have small copays for certain doctor and emergency room visits. Plan N also does not cover Medicare Part B excess charges, which means there is a small potential exposure if a provider does not accept Medicare assignment and is allowed to charge above the Medicare-approved amount.
Choose Plan N If
You Want a Lower-Premium Middle Ground
| Plan N May Fit If You Want… |
Why It Matters |
| Lower premiums than Plan G |
You want to reduce your monthly cost. |
| More upfront coverage than the High Deductible Plan G |
You do not want to take on the full high deductible risk. |
| A balanced option |
You are comfortable trading small copays for lower premiums. |
| Some predictability, but at a lower cost |
You want solid coverage without paying Plan G premiums. |
Simple way to explain it: Plan N is the middle ground. You take on a little more responsibility than Plan G, but you save money each month.
Choose High Deductible Plan G If You Want the Lowest Premium
High Deductible Plan G is usually best for someone who wants the lowest monthly premium and is comfortable taking on more upfront financial responsibility.
This plan can be attractive because the premium is often much lower than that of standard Plan G. However, in a year where you use more medical care, you may have to pay more out of pocket before the plan begins paying benefits.
Choose High Deductible Plan G If
You Want the Lowest Monthly Premium
| High Deductible Plan G May Fit If You Want… |
Why It Matters |
| The lowest monthly premium |
You want to keep your fixed monthly cost as low as possible. |
| Catastrophic-style protection |
You are comfortable paying smaller claims yourself until the deductible is met. |
| More control over premium spending |
You would rather save the premium difference and use it if needed. |
| A plan for healthier years |
You understand that costs may be higher in years when you use more care. |
A simple way to explain it: High Deductible Plan G is for someone who wants to save on premiums and is comfortable self-insuring the deductible if a bigger medical year occurs.
Final Thoughts
Plan G, Plan N, and High Deductible Plan G can all be good options depending on the person. The right choice depends on how much someone values predictable costs compared to monthly premium savings.
For some beneficiaries, Plan G is worth the higher premium because it provides peace of mind. For others, Plan N may be the best balance between savings and protection. High Deductible Plan G may make sense for someone who wants a lower premium and has the financial ability to handle the deductible if a serious medical year occurs.
Before choosing, compare the real annual cost of each option, not just the monthly premium.
