Medigap Plan G 

Medigap Plan G is the most comprehensive of the 8 Medigap Plans that are eligible to new enrollees. Because of this, it’s one of the most popular Medigap plans amongst seniors joining Medicare and a popular alternative to Medigap Plan F which is no longer available to new enrollees.  As a supplemental plan, Medigap Plan G helps cover most costs not paid for by your Original Medicare Part A and Part B

What Does Medigap Plan G Cover?	Jump to
What’s Not Covered by Medigap Plan G?	Jump to
High Deductible Plan G	Jump to
Is Medigap Plan G Right for Me?	Jump to

What does Medigap Plan G Cover?

As the most comprehensive Medigap plan available to new enrollees, Plan G covers 8 out of the 9 standard Medigap benefits, including:

• Medicare Part A coinsurance & hospital costs 
• Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments 
• First 3 pints of a blood transfusion 
• Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments 
• Skilled nursing facility care 
• Medicare Part A deductible 
• Foreign travel emergency care 
• Part B excess charges 

The 8 Standard Medigap Plan G benefits explained:

1. Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
   Medigap Plan G covers your Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for days 61 through 150. In addition,
   this benefit covers up to 365 more hospital days after your Medicare benefits are used up.ⁱ 
   
   Note: Typically, Medicare Part A coinsurances don’t kick in until after you’ve paid your deductible for the year, but since Medigap Plan G covers your Part A deductible, you don’t have to pay anything.
2. Skilled nursing facility care
   Original Medicare pays all your skilled nursing care costs for the first 20 days. Typically, you’re responsible for paying for any days after that. Medigap Plan G pays your share for days 21 through 100.
   
   Note: Neither Original Medicare nor Medigap plans pay for any skilled nursing care longer than 100 days.
3. Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment
   Medigap Plan G covers your Part B coinsurances and copayments, which are typically 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment.ⁱ
   
   Note: Medicare Part B coinsurances and copayments don’t kick in until after you’ve paid your Part B deductible. With Medigap Plan G, you are still required to pay your Part B deductible.ⁱ
4. First 3 pints of a blood
   Medigap Plan G covers the first three prints of blood per year.ⁱ
5. Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
   Medigap Plan G covers your 5% coinsurance for palliative drugs and respite care under the Part A hospice benefit.ⁱ
6. Medicare Part A deductible
   Original Medicare Part A charges deductibles per benefit period before your Medicare benefits can kick in.
   In 2022, the Part A deductible is $1,556ⁱⁱ. Medigap Plan G covers this cost for you.
7. Foreign travel care
   Original Medicare doesn’t typically cover health care while you’re traveling abroad. However, Medigap Plans G will cover up to 80% of covered foreign travel emergency care if it begins during the first 60 days of your trip.ⁱⁱⁱ
8. Medicare Part B excess charges
   Some doctors can bill you for up to 15% more than what Medicare thinks a procedure is worth. This is called a Part B excess charge, which you’re usually responsible for paying. Medigap Plan G covers those charges for you. ⁱ

What’s Not Covered by Medigap Plan G?

There is only one standard Medigap benefit not covered by Plan G: the Part B deductible. Starting in 2020, insurance carriers are no longer allowed to sell any plans that cover the Part B deductible to new Medicare enrollees.  

The Part B deductible is an annual amount you must pay before your Medicare Part B benefits kick in. In 2022, the Part B deductible is $233.ⁱⁱ Medigap Plan F and Plan C will cover this deductible for you, but you can only purchase these plans if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020. 

In many cases, even if you do qualify for a Plan F or Plan C, Plan G is a better alternative. This is because the premiums for Plan G tend to be cheaper. The amount you save on premiums is usually more than the Part B deductible.

Regardless of which Medigap Plan you buy, it will not cover:

• Routine dental, vision or hearing services
• Eyeglasses or contacts
• Hearing aids
• Long-term care or custodial care
• Prescription drugs

How Much Does Medigap Plan G Cost?

Like any Medigap Plan, Plan G comes with monthly premiums. These premiums are set by the insurance company selling the plan and can vary widely by region. There are also several other factors that impact rates like your age, your gender, whether you use tobacco products, if you qualify for any discounts and more. 

It’s best to compare Medigap plans in your area from as many insurance companies as possible. Carriers can offer the same exact plans at different rates. So, comparison shopping will help you find the best rate available to you.   

Note: You’ll still be responsible for paying your monthly Medicare Part A and Part B premiums – although most people don’t have Part A premiums. Make sure to factor in these costs when considering Medigap premiums.

High Deductible Medigap Plan G

High Deductible Medigap Plan G, or HD-G, is a lower premium version of the standard Plan G. It offers the same exact coverage as Plan G,
but it requires you to pay a deductible before coverage kicks in. In exchange, you pay less per month for the plan.  

Any cost-sharing expenses you pay like copays or coinsurance as well as your Part B deductible applies towards the Plan G deductible.  

If you don’t mind paying more in out-of-pocket costs in exchange for less money up front in premiums, HD-G could be the best value for you.

Is Medigap Plan G Right for Me? 

Whether Medigap Plan G is right for you is going to depend on your health status, budgetary restrictions and lifestyle. It’s also going to depend on how often you visit the doctor, whether you travel abroad, if you can afford to pay more up front for your healthcare in turn for less
out-of-pocket costs and more.

A Medigap Plan G might be right for you if you:

• Want predictable healthcare costs
• Live in a state that allows Part B excess charges
• Frequently use providers that don’t accept Medicare assignment
• Visit the doctor and/or hospital semi-frequently

Medigap Plan G Alternatives 

If Plan G premiums are outside of your budget, you have a couple options that provide similar benefits. Plan N is almost identical to Plan G; however, you pay a small copayment for doctor visits and emergency room care.  

If you live in a state that doesn’t allow excess charges, then you may be able to save money with a Plan D. It covers everything that Plan G covers except the Part B excess charges.  

There are a few plans that are more popular than others, including a couple that are gaining in popularity since Plans C and F were discontinued for new enrollees. You can learn more about the top Medigap plans here.

If you need help determining which plan is best for you, Ensurem has licensed agents ready to answer your questions. They can also help you compare Medigap plans available in your area from some of the nation’s top-rated carriers.

Education is crucial in finding the right Medicare solution for you. With so many Medicare resources out there, it can be difficult finding a source you can trust. That’s why Ensurem has a Compliance Program dedicated to ensuring our Medicare content meets CMS regulations. So, you can rest assured you’re getting the information you need to make the right coverage decisions. Learn more here.