Medigap Plan Letters Compared: What's Actually Different Between Plan G, N, and the Rest
Same letter, same benefits, no matter which insurer sells it. Different letters, genuinely different coverage.
Key takeaways
- Medigap plans are standardized by letter (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N, and others) — the same letter offers the same core benefits no matter which insurer sells it.
- Because benefits are standardized within a letter, the only real difference between insurers selling the same letter is price and service — which is exactly why comparing premiums for the same letter matters so much.
- Plan G is one of the most comprehensive options still available to new enrollees, covering most gaps except the Part B deductible.
- Plan N offers a lower premium than Plan G in exchange for small copays on some office and ER visits and no coverage for Part B excess charges.
Medigap's standardization is one of its most genuinely useful features and also one of its most confusing at first glance: every insurer selling "Plan G," for instance, has to offer the exact same core set of benefits — but that doesn't mean all the letters offer similar coverage to each other. Understanding what actually separates the common letters is what makes the standardization useful rather than just another layer of jargon.
What "standardized" actually means
Medigap plans are standardized by letter in most states — meaning Plan G from one insurance company covers exactly the same core benefits as Plan G from a different company. This is deliberately different from Medicare Advantage, where two plans with similar names can have very different actual coverage. Because the benefits themselves don't vary by insurer within a letter, the only meaningful differences between companies selling the same letter are premium, customer service, and financial stability — which is exactly why comparing premiums for the identical letter across insurers is the right way to shop.
Plan G: broad coverage, one deductible left over
Plan G is one of the more comprehensive options currently available to people newly eligible for Medicare, covering most of the gaps Original Medicare leaves — coinsurance, hospital costs, skilled nursing coinsurance, and more — with the Part B deductible being the main out-of-pocket cost it doesn't cover.
Plan N: a lower premium with modest trade-offs
- Plan N generally carries a lower premium than Plan G in exchange for small, fixed copays on some doctor office visits and emergency room visits.
- Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges — an additional amount some providers who don't accept Medicare's approved amount can legally charge — which Plan G does cover.
- For enrollees who don't expect frequent office or ER visits and whose providers don't charge excess fees, Plan N's lower premium can represent meaningful savings for similar core protection.
Key differences between common Medigap plan letters
| Plan letter | Part B deductible covered? | Part B excess charges covered? | Office/ER copays? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | No | Yes | No |
| Plan N | No | No | Small fixed copays apply |
| Plan A (basic) | No | No | No — but also fewer other benefits covered |
Other letters worth knowing about
Plans K and L offer lower premiums with higher cost-sharing and an annual out-of-pocket limit, which can suit someone comfortable with more variable costs in exchange for a lower fixed monthly payment. Plan A offers the most basic standardized benefit set. The full list of available letters and their exact benefit charts is published by Medicare directly and is worth reviewing side by side rather than relying on any single insurer's marketing materials.
How to compare Medigap plan letters
- Start with the letter that fits your risk tolerance and expected healthcare use, not the insurer's brand or advertising.
- Once you've picked a letter, request quotes for that exact same letter from several insurers, since the benefits are identical.
- Check whether your providers charge Part B excess fees before assuming Plan N's savings are a clear win over Plan G.
- Confirm Plan C and Plan F availability for your situation — they're not available to those newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
- Review Medicare's official benefit chart for the full letter lineup rather than relying solely on a single insurer's summary.
Pros
- Standardization makes comparing insurers for the same letter genuinely simple — price and service are really the only variables.
- The range of letters (from comprehensive Plan G to leaner, lower-premium options like K and L) means there's a real fit across different risk tolerances and budgets.
- Once you've chosen a letter, the shopping process for finding the best price is straightforward and low-risk.
Considerations
- Choosing the wrong letter for your actual healthcare use pattern can mean either overpaying for coverage you rarely use, or facing more out-of-pocket cost than expected.
- Some letters, like Plan C and Plan F, are not available to those newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020, which can cause confusion when comparing older resources.
- Availability of specific letters can vary by state and insurer, so not every letter is guaranteed to be available everywhere.
Plan availability varies by state and by your Medicare eligibility date — Plans C and F, for example, are not available to those newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020. Confirm what's actually available to you before comparing quotes.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plan G always better than Plan N?
Not necessarily — Plan G offers broader coverage (including Part B excess charges) at a higher premium, while Plan N offers a lower premium with small copays and no excess-charge coverage. The better fit depends on your expected healthcare use and whether your providers charge excess fees.
Does the insurer matter if the benefits are standardized?
For the covered benefits themselves, no — a given letter provides the same core coverage regardless of insurer. What varies is premium, customer service quality, and financial stability, all worth comparing directly.
Can I switch Medigap plan letters later?
You generally can, but outside your original guaranteed-issue window, switching may require medical underwriting, meaning an insurer could charge more or decline coverage based on your health at that time.
Why can't I find Plan F available anymore?
Plans C and F are not available to those newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020, due to a federal law change. If you were eligible before that date, you may still have access depending on your specific situation.
Sources
Facts and figures in this guide that come from an outside authority are backed by the sources below. Pricing, program rules, and eligibility details change — always confirm current specifics with the source directly or a licensed professional before acting.
- Medicare & YouCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) / Medicare.gov · Updated 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-20
- 12 Insurance Industry Trends Defining 2026One Inc · Updated 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-20
- Medicare Premiums 2026: IRMAA Brackets and Surcharges for Parts B and DKiplinger · Updated 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-20
- 2026: The industry responds to an aging populationInsuranceNewsNet · Updated 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-20
- Medicare Advantage Star Ratings Explained (2026)Senioridy · Updated 2026 · Accessed 2026-07-20
Editorial information
- We prioritize primary, authoritative sources over provider marketing.
- Commercial relationships never influence what we publish or how it's written.
- Pages are dated and updated only when they've genuinely been reviewed or changed.
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