Plan G Is as Close to Full Coverage as You Can Get in 2026
Medicare Supplement Plan G covers nearly every out-of-pocket cost Original Medicare leaves you with — except one. That one exception is the 2026 Part B deductible, which sits at $257. That’s it. That’s the only thing Plan G won’t pay.
Everything else? Covered. Hospital coinsurance, skilled nursing coinsurance, foreign travel emergencies, excess charges from doctors who don’t accept Medicare assignment — Plan G handles all of it. For most people turning 65 right now, this is the strongest Medigap plan available, and I’d argue it’s the right choice for the majority of people who want predictable healthcare costs.
Let me walk you through exactly what’s included, what the real costs look like, and where I’ve seen people trip up when they’re evaluating Plan G versus other options.
The Specific Benefits Plan G Covers
Here’s what Plan G actually pays for, broken down clearly:
- Part A hospital coinsurance and costs: After your Medicare benefits are exhausted, Plan G covers an additional 365 days of hospital care. The 2026 Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period — Plan G covers that too.
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments: Small cost-sharing amounts for hospice services are fully covered.
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance: Days 21 through 100 of a skilled nursing stay cost $209.50 per day in 2026 under Original Medicare. Plan G covers every dollar of that.
- Part B coinsurance or copayments: After you pay your Part B deductible once per year, Plan G picks up the 20% that Medicare doesn’t pay. Every doctor visit, outpatient procedure, lab test, durable medical equipment — that 20% is gone.
- Part B excess charges: Some doctors charge up to 15% above Medicare’s approved amount. Plan G covers that extra charge. This matters more than people realize if you live somewhere with lots of non-participating providers.
- Blood (first 3 pints): Medicare doesn’t cover the first three pints of blood you need. Plan G does.
- Foreign travel emergency care: Up to 80% of emergency care costs when traveling outside the U.S., after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. This is actually a meaningful benefit if you travel internationally.
The only gap — and I want to be clear that it is genuinely just one gap — is that $257 Part B deductible. You pay that once per calendar year, and after that, Plan G handles the rest.
How Plan G Compares to the Other Popular Medigap Plans
Most people shopping for Medigap are weighing Plan G against Plan N and, if they’re older, possibly still looking at Plan F. Here’s an honest comparison:
| Benefit | Plan F | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026) | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Part B deductible ($257 in 2026) | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered | Copays up to $20 per visit |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Covered | Not covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Who can buy it? | Pre-2020 enrollees only | Anyone eligible for Medicare | Anyone eligible for Medicare |
Plan F is off the table for anyone who became Medicare-eligible on or after January 1, 2020. So if you’re newly enrolling in Medicare, the real decision is G versus N.
Plan N costs less per month, but it comes with those $20 copays per office visit, potential $50 emergency room copays, and no excess charge protection. For someone who sees multiple specialists or lives in a state where lots of providers don’t accept Medicare assignment — think New York, for example — those costs add up fast. For a healthy 65-year-old with two or three doctor visits a year, Plan N might still make sense. But Plan G is simpler, and simplicity has real value when you’re managing your health at 70 or 75.
What Plan G Actually Costs, and How to Think About the Value
Plan G premiums for a 65-year-old typically run between $100 and $200 per month in 2026, depending on where you live, which insurance company you choose, and whether you go with standard or high-deductible Plan G. A 67-year-old in Ohio might pay around $130 to $155 per month. That same person in Florida might pay $155 to $185. State regulations, competition between insurers, and how the plan is priced (attained-age, issue-age, or community-rated) all affect your long-term cost.
Here’s how I think about the value: Plan G’s worst-case annual out-of-pocket exposure in 2026 is $257 — the Part B deductible. That’s it. After that, you owe nothing more. No coinsurance on a $40,000 hospital stay. No surprise bills from a surgeon who charges above Medicare rates. For someone who ends up needing surgery, a hospitalization, or extended skilled nursing care, Plan G pays for itself many times over.
Even in a healthy year with minimal healthcare use, you’re buying certainty. And I’ll tell you from watching people deal with unexpected diagnoses in their late 60s and 70s: the certainty is worth something. A cancer diagnosis, a hip replacement, a cardiac event — these things happen, and when they do, having $0 in coinsurance is a big deal.
High-deductible Plan G is worth mentioning for people who are genuinely healthy and want lower monthly premiums in exchange for a higher deductible. In 2026, that deductible is $2,870. Once you hit that, the plan kicks in with full Plan G benefits. Some people like this structure. Personally, I think it works best for people with significant savings and low healthcare utilization, not for someone who’s managing chronic conditions.
The Mistake I See People Make Most Often with Plan G
The most common misconception I run into is people thinking that Plan G covers prescription drugs. It does not. Not even close. Medigap plans — every single one of them — do not cover prescription drugs.
If you’re enrolling in Plan G, you still need a separate Part D prescription drug plan. This trips people up constantly. They assume that paying $150 a month for a Medigap plan means their medications are handled. They’re not. You need to enroll in a standalone Part D plan during your Initial Enrollment Period, or you’ll face a late enrollment penalty when you eventually sign up — a penalty that follows you permanently.
The second mistake is thinking that Plan G covers dental, vision, or hearing. It doesn’t. Original Medicare doesn’t cover most of those services either, and Medigap doesn’t fill that gap. You need separate coverage or a dental discount plan if those things matter to you.
A third error I’ve seen, particularly with people coming off employer coverage: assuming you can switch to Plan G anytime without underwriting. You can’t, in most states. Outside of your Open Enrollment Period (the six months starting the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B), insurers can ask health questions and deny you or charge more based on pre-existing conditions. If you’re in your window right now, take it seriously. I’ve talked to too many people who waited and then couldn’t get Plan G because of a health condition they developed in the meantime.
Bottom Line
For most people enrolling in Medicare in 2026, Plan G is the right Medigap choice. It leaves you with one small annual cost — the $257 Part B deductible — and covers everything else. The monthly premium is manageable, the peace of mind is real, and the long-term protection against major medical costs is hard to beat. If you’re in good health and want to save money monthly, Plan N is worth a serious look, but for anyone who values simplicity and full protection, Plan G wins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plan G cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. The 2026 Part B deductible is $257, and Plan G does not cover it. You pay that once per calendar year, and after that, Plan G covers your Part B coinsurance in full. This is the only meaningful difference between Plan G and the now-unavailable Plan F.
Can I use Plan G with any doctor?
Yes, as long as the doctor accepts Medicare. Plan G works with any provider nationwide who takes Original Medicare. You don’t need referrals, there are no networks, and you don’t need prior authorization. That’s one of the biggest advantages Medigap has over Medicare Advantage plans.
What happens if I travel outside the U.S.?
Plan G includes foreign travel emergency coverage. It pays 80% of emergency care costs outside the United States after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum. It’s not unlimited, but it’s genuinely useful if you travel internationally and something goes seriously wrong.
When’s the best time to buy Plan G?
During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this six-month window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge you more based on your health. Miss that window, and in most states, you’ll face medical underwriting. Buy it during your window, even if you feel perfectly healthy.
