Medicare Supplement Plan N (also called Medigap Plan N) reduces your share of out-of-pocket costs left by Original Medicare. Plan N is a popular alternative to Plan G. With it, you get a lower monthly premium, but it doesn’t cover quite as many costs as Plan G. With a Plan N, you still pay the Part B deductible, some copayments, and Part B excess charges.
This article explains what Plan N does and doesn’t cover, how much it costs, and who is most likely to benefit from it. It also compares Plan N with Plan G and Medicare Advantage so you can see the key tradeoffs among other popular options.
If you need help figuring out if Plan N is right for you, Chapter’s licensed Medicare Advisors can help you compare your options based on your budget and healthcare needs.
Key Takeaways:
Plan N covers the Medicare Part A deductible and most coinsurance left by Original Medicare, but you’re responsible for the Medicare Part B deductible, certain copayments, and Part B excess charges.
Every Plan N offers the same standardized benefits. Premiums vary based on the policy you choose and factors like your location and health status.
Plan N may be a good fit for people who want Medigap benefits, including coverage with every doctor who accepts Medicare nationwide, but prefer a lower premium.
What is Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Medicare Supplement Plan N is one of ten Medicare Supplement insurance options that works with Original Medicare. It reduced out-of-pocket expenses like coinsurance, copayments, and the Part A deductible.
To buy a Medigap policy, you must first have both parts of Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). When you receive a Medicare-covered service, Original Medicare pays its portion first, then your Medigap policy pays its share of eligible costs.
Medigap plans of the same letter have the same exact benefits nationwide. That means that every Plan N will cover the same things, regardless of where you live or which insurance carrier you choose. Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin offer different types of Medigap plans and do not offer the standard Plan N. If you live in one of these states, you’ll need to review the specific Medigap plan types offered.
Because Plan N benefits are standardized, you’ll use factors such as premium costs, rating structures, insurer reputation, and customer service to choose the best Medigap Plan N for you.
When should you enroll in a Medigap Plan N?
The best time for most people to enroll in Medigap is during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period. This enrollment period begins once you’re 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. During this six-month period, you are guaranteed acceptance into any Medigap plan. Insurance carriers cannot charge you more or deny your application based on your health history. There are other guaranteed issue rights that give you the same guarantee, but they require a special event.
If you want to buy a Medigap policy and don’t have a guaranteed issue right, you may be required to go through medical underwriting and you could be denied coverage or charged higher rates based on your health history. Guaranteed issue rights and Medigap enrollment protections can vary by state.
If you need help understanding enrollment periods, we’re here to help.
What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover and not cover?
Plan N helps pay many of the out-of-pocket costs that you’re responsible for after Original Medicare pays its share of a Medicare-covered service. Plan N coverage works for any doctor who accepts Medicare and covers many expenses, but it won’t cover costs for Medicare-excluded services. This includes dental, vision, and hearing care. One exception is emergency care and medical treatment during foreign travel. Original Medicare usually won’t cover these services, but some Medigap policies do.
What does Plan N cover?
Part A coinsurance
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
Part A deductible
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
100% of the costs of Part B services (excluding copays for some office visits and emergency room visits)
The first three pints of blood used in a medical procedure
80% of qualifying foreign travel travel emergency costs after a $250 annual deductible ($50,000 lifetime limit)
What does Plan N not cover?
Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
Part B excess charges
A Plan N copay of up to $20 for many office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don’t lead to a hospital admission
Prescription drugs
Routine dental, vision, and hearing care
Long-term custodial care, such as ongoing help with bathing, dressing, or eating
How much does Medigap Plan N cost?
Plan N premiums vary by insurance company and factors like where you live, your age, whether you use tobacco, and available household discounts. Insurers may also use different pricing methods:
Community-rated: Everyone pays the same premium regardless of age (though premiums can vary for other reasons).
Issue-age-rated: Your premium is based on your age when you first buy the policy.
Attained-age-rated: Your premium is based on your current age, so it generally rises as you get older.
You pay your Plan N premium in addition to your Medicare Part B premium
You’re also responsible for certain copayments and any other costs that the policy doesn’t cover, such as the Part B deductible and Part B excess charges.
Plan N vs. Plan G
Plan N and Plan G are the most popular Medigap options for new Medicare beneficiaries. The main difference between the two plans is cost-sharing. Plan G has higher premiums than Plan N, but it also covers Part B excess charges and all Part B copayments.* The right choice for you comes down to your personal healthcare needs and financial situation. If you expect to use medical services frequently or want more predictable costs, Plan G may be worth the higher premium. If keeping your monthly premium low is a priority, Plan N may be a better fit.
*Some states offer high-deductible Plan G policies with lower premiums. These plans require you to pay a certain amount of healthcare costs (your deductible) before your plan starts paying. Oftentimes, Plan N is a better option than Plan G, but you should always consider how each will impact your total costs.
Plan N vs. Medicare Advantage
Medicare Advantage is an alternative to Original Medicare They must cover at least the same services and equipment as Part A and Part B coverage. Many plans also include Part D prescription drug coverage and extra benefits, such as routine dental, vision, or hearing coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans place a yearly cap on out-of-pocket costs. However, you’re limited by a provider network and will pay more for out-of-network services. You also need to get prior authorization for certain services, which may limit or delay your care.
Medigap Plan N works with Original Medicare; it doesn’t replace it. That means you have broader access to providers who accept Medicare. You don’t need referrals to see a specialist, and you aren’t limited to provider networks. You’ll pay a higher monthly premium for Medigap policies, but you also get broader access to care with lower out-of-pocket costs.
Some people choose Medicare Advantage plans because they want lower monthly premiums and don’t expect to access medical care often. But when comparing and selecting health plans, it’s important to consider both your current and your future medical needs. Remember, outside your Medigap Open Enrollment Period or another guaranteed issue period, insurers can use medical underwriting. Based on your health history, an insurer could charge more or deny your application. That means your ability to change plans to a Medigap policy later in life may be limited.
Who is Medicare Supplement Plan N best for?
Medicare Supplement Plan N works well for people who want the benefits of a Medigap plan: broad provider coverage, reduced out-of-pocket costs, and limited prior authorization requirements. It’s a good alternative to Plan G if you are comfortable paying some copays in exchange for a lower monthly premium.
Plan N is worth considering if you:
Want a lower monthly premium: You’re willing to payPlan N copayments and any excess charges in exchange for a lower premium.
Expect fewer office and emergency room visits: Fewer visits help the premium savings outweigh the plan’s copay costs.
Value broad provider access: You want coverage for any doctor that accepts Medicare nationwide instead of being limited to a Medicare Advantage plan’s network.
Get help understanding Medicare Supplement Plan N
The right Medicare plan for you comes down to your health needs, budget, and personal preferences. To help you weigh the pros and cons of each plan, Chapter’s licensed, independent Medicare Advisors offer free guidance and can help you compare Medigap Medicare Advantage, and Part D coverage options.
Chat with us today at 855-900-2427 or book an appointment ahead of time. We’re here to help.
Sources
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Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Learn what Medigap Covers. https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/coverage
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Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Travel outside the U.S. https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel-outside-the-u.s.
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). When can I buy a Medigap policy? https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/ready-to-buy/when
Congress.gov. (2023). Medigap: Background and Statistics. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47552
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2026). Medigap enrollment trends. https://www.kff.org/medicare/
Medicare.gov. (n.d.). Choosing a Medigap policy. https://www.medicare.gov/publications/02110-choosing-a-medigap-policy.pdf
