Medicare Plan G: Coverage, Cost & Whether It's Worth It in 2026

The most popular Medigap supplement in 2026 and beyond among new Medicare beneficiaries is Medicare Plan G and there are very good reasons to believe this is the same case in 2026 and beyond. It will provide coverage on almost all the gaps in Original Medicare, except one: The Part B deductible of 257 annually. The remaining part of the year in which you are subjected to the deductible will be covered at zero out-of-pocket cost. Premiums in 2026 will vary between states, gender, and tobacco use, with typical premiums ranging between 150 to 300 per month.

The information is provided by Medicare.gov, CMS, NAIC, and KFF. 

What is Medicare Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G or Medicare Plan G (sometimes called Medigap Plan G or Medicare Plan G) is a federally standardized Medicare supplement insurance plan which is sold by private insurers. It collaborates with Original Medicare to cover the deductibles, coinsurance and copays that Medicare does not cover.

Plan G of one insurer will cover the same things as exactly Plan G of another insurer. The coverage is standardized by federal law. The monthly premium and customer service are the only variations between the Plan G insurers. This is the reason why the appropriate approach is to shop the lowest cost of Medicare Plan G. Coverage is identical.

Plan G is now the most-recommended Medigap plan to new beneficiaries since Plan F has now closed to new enrollees as of January 1, 2020. 

Medicare Plan G coverage: what it covers

Medicare Plan G coverage fills nearly every gap in Original Medicare. Once you've paid your Part B annual deductible of $257, you have no further out-of-pocket cost for Medicare-covered services for the rest of the calendar year.

What Plan G covers:

• Part A hospital coinsurance plus 365 additional hospital days after Medicare benefits end

• Part A deductible ($1,684 per benefit period in 2026)

• Part B coinsurance (the 20% you'd otherwise owe after the deductible)

• Part B excess charges (when providers charge above Medicare's approved amount, up to 15% extra)

• First three pints of blood for transfusions

• Hospice care coinsurance

• Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance (days 21 through 100)

• Foreign travel emergency care (80%, up to plan limits, lifetime maximum of $50,000)

What Plan G does not cover:

• The $257 annual Part B deductible (you pay this yourself)

• Prescription drugs (you need a separate Part D plan)

• Dental, vision, hearing care (most dental at all)

• Long-term custodial care

The Part B excess charges coverage is one of Plan G's most underappreciated benefits. When a provider charges more than Medicare's approved amount (up to 15% extra), Plan G covers that difference. Other plans like Plan N don't.

Medicare Plan G cost in 2026

Medicare Plan G cost varies significantly by state, age, gender, tobacco use, and insurer. Typical 2026 monthly premiums for a non-smoker at age 65 range from $150 to $300, with significant regional variation.

Premiums also depend on the pricing method the insurer uses. There are three:

• Community-rated: Same premium for everyone in your state, regardless of age. Premium increases occur due to inflation, not aging.

• Issue-age-rated: Premium based on your age when you bought the policy. Doesn't increase as you age, only with inflation.

• Attained-age-rated: Premium increases as you age, in addition to inflation. Cheaper at first, more expensive later. Most common pricing method.

Most insurers use attained-age pricing. The premium might be $180 monthly at age 65 and $300+ by age 80, before any inflation adjustment. Issue-age and community-rated plans can save money in the long run.

A separate option is High-Deductible Plan G (HDG). The 2026 deductible is $2,870, paid before the plan starts covering costs. Premiums are typically $40 to $80 monthly, far less than standard Plan G. Best for healthy beneficiaries who rarely use care and want catastrophic protection.

Plan G vs Plan F vs Plan N

The biggest decisions when choosing Plan G are whether to compare it against Plan F (if eligible) and Plan N.

Plan G vs Plan F: Plan F covers the $257 Part B deductible; Plan G doesn't. Everything else is identical. Plan F's premium is typically $30 to $80 higher per month, which usually exceeds the $257 deductible savings. Most beneficiaries save money on Plan G even after paying the deductible. Plan F is closed to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.

Plan G vs Plan N: Plan N has a lower premium (typically $30 to $80 less monthly) but charges small copays at the time of service: up to $20 for office visits, up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission. Plan N also doesn't cover Part B excess charges. For frequent doctor visits, Plan G's first-dollar coverage usually wins. For occasional visits, Plan N can save money.

Best Medicare Plan G providers and how to shop

There's no universal "best Medicare Plan G" because Plan G coverage is federally standardized. The best Plan G for you is the one with the lowest premium and stable rate history in your state, sold by a financially solid insurer.

How to shop:

• Get quotes from at least 3 to 5 insurers in your state through a licensed Medicare broker

• Check the rate increase history for each insurer (some raise premiums faster than others)

• Look at the company's financial rating from AM Best (A or higher is preferred)

• Confirm the pricing method (community, issue-age, or attained-age)

• Re-shop every 1 to 2 years because closed plans like Plan F and Plan G can experience sharp rate increases

Brokers compare quotes free of charge, paid by the insurer. They don't charge you. The premium you see through a broker is the same premium you'd see going direct.