Medicare Supplement Plan F vs. G vs. N (2023 Update)

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Many seniors are surprised to learn that Medicare does not cover all health care expenses. There are deductibles, copays, coinsurance, and we haven’t even gotten to the cost of prescription drugs.
For this reason, many seniors often find themselves in a position of needing a supplemental medicare plan to cover the gaps, AKA Medigap.
This article will cover the most cost effective Medigap plans that are the most popular right now in 2023. These are Medicare Plan F, G, and N. We will go over the differences between each one and which one is the best for you.
Table Of Contents
Medicare Plan F
Medicare Plan F covers 100% of the gaps in Medicare and is the most comprehensive Medigap plan. You will never pay anything when you go to the hospital or doctor, as Medicare will pay for most of it and Plan F will cover the rest.
The only catch is this plan is only available to people who were eligible for Medicare prior to 2020. This basically means you must have been 65 before 2020 to be eligible for this plan.
Since Plan F is also the most comprehensive and covers 100% of the gaps in Medicare, it is also the most expensive.
Here is what is covered under Plan F…
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
- Part B coinsurance/copayment
- First 3 pints of blood
- Part A hospice care coinsurance/copayment
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- Part A deductible
- Part B deductible
- Part B excess charges
If the premiums for you are too high for Plan F, there is a high deductible version of this plan, where you pay the first $2,370 each year in deductible, and then the plan pays for the rest. This high deductible Plan F is much cheaper, but many people stay away from this option because of the high deductible each year.
Click here to see the 3 cheapest Medicare Plan F companies.
Medicare Plan G
Medicare Plan G covers all of the same things as Plan F except the deductible for Medicare Part B, which in 2022 is $233. This means that you will never pay anything for medical care unless it is for something that falls under Medicare Part B, and you will only have to pay that $233 deductible once a year if you need care.
For seniors new to Medicare that were not eligible in 2020, this is the most popular and comprehensive plan.
Similarly to Plan F, there is a high deductible Plan G if the premiums are too high for you. This deductible is the same $2,370 as the high deductible plan F. While we do not recommend the high deductible plans for most people, if you are fine with paying the deductible in the event you have to have serious medical care these may be an option for you.
Medicare Plan N
Medicare Plan N is the third most popular plan among seniors for the lower cost and similar protection against catastrophic medical events.
Under this Medigap plan, all of the same things are covered as Plan F except…
- Part B Deductible ($203)
- Part B Excess Charges
- Copay of $20 for doctor visits and $50 for hospital visits that don’t result in admission
The key difference between this plan and the others is that you are not protected from excess charges. Excess charges are charges a medical provider will charge if they don’t participate in Medicare. They usually charge 10-20% more for medical care than the Medicare rates, and you will have to pay these excess charges out of pocket under this plan.
Medigap Plans F and G cover excess charges and you have no copays for doctor and hospital visits, while under Medigap Plan N you will have to pay these in those events.
The main attractiveness of Plan N is that it is cheaper than the other plans. Seniors who are living just on social security or don’t have much income may find this plan the most attractive.
Cheat Sheet
If you want to compare the plans side by side here is a helpful table.
Benefits | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N |
---|---|---|---|
Part A Deductible | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Part B Deductible ($203) | ✔️ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
Part A Coinsurance/Hospital Costs | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Part B Coinsurance/Payment | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Part B Excess Charges | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✖️ |
Hospice Care Coinsurance | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Skilled Nursing Care Coinsurance | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
First 3 Pints Blood | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Since the Part B deductible is not included in most Medicare supplement plans, expect to pay something when you go to the doctor or a clinic. If you want to know the best clinics that accept Medicare click here.
Which Plan Is The Best For Me?
When deciding which Medigap plan to go with it is important to think what you will need in coverage for many decades.
It can be difficult to switch your Medigap plan to another if your health deteriorates, you develop some type of health condition, or start taking some serious prescription medications.
We can help go over all of your options with you and make recommendations but in the end the choice is yours.
You should also keep in mind that every Medigap plan is the same between different insurance companies. This means the benefits and what they cover are all the same, all you are shopping for is the price! Since we are an independent broker we can find you the best prices available among all of the top health insurance companies out there.
If you are looking for a Medigap plan or just want some more information, give us a call, fill out our quote form, or use out live chat option and we will help you make a wise decision every step of the way. And best of all, our time is always 100% free!
We look forward to speaking with you.
2 Comments
Frank D. Traviglia
I am confused, you talk about Medigap plan F being available, but my wife was told when she signed up for "F" in 07/2018 that was the last year for this plan. She has NO deductible at all for each calendar year going forward. When I signed up one year later, I had to go with Plan G with a $233.00 deductible. Has Plan F been "reformulated" since 2018? Thank you for your response.
Kelly Maxwell
Hi Frank. Plan F is still available to people who were eligible for Plan F before January 1, 2020. You can always get a Plan F if you were in Medicare before then. It is only not available to new enrollees.