Medigap Plan N — Comprehensive Medicare Supplement Coverage at a Lower Premium
If you are looking for strong Medicare Supplement coverage without the higher premiums of Medigap Plan G, Medigap Plan N may be the perfect fit. As an independent Medicare insurance broker serving clients across New York, New Jersey, and nationwide, I help seniors evaluate Plan N every day. Here is everything you need to know.
What Is Medigap Plan N?
Medicare Supplement insurance, commonly called Medigap, works alongside Original Medicare to cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. Plan N is one of the most popular Medigap plans available and offers comprehensive coverage at a lower monthly premium than Plan G in exchange for modest copayments at the point of service.
Plan N is an excellent choice for seniors who are generally healthy, do not see doctors frequently, and want strong catastrophic coverage with predictable costs while keeping their monthly premiums as low as possible.
What Does Medigap Plan N Cover?
Medigap Plan N includes the following benefits:
- ✅ Part A hospital coinsurance — covers your share of hospital costs up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are exhausted
- ✅ Part A deductible — covers the $1,736 Part A inpatient deductible in 2026
- ✅ Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- ✅ Part B coinsurance or copayment — covers your 20% share of outpatient medical costs after the Part B deductible
- ✅ Part B preventive care coinsurance
- ✅ Skilled nursing facility (SNF) coinsurance
- ✅ First three pints of blood for a medical procedure
- ✅ Foreign travel emergency coverage — up to plan limits for emergency care outside the United States
- ⚠️ Doctor visit copays — up to $20 copay per office visit
- ⚠️ Emergency room copay — up to $50 copay per ER visit (waived if admitted)
- ❌ Part B deductible — not covered ($257 in 2026)
- ❌ Part B excess charges — not covered
How Much Does Medigap Plan N Cost in 2026?
Medigap Plan N premiums are typically 15-25% lower than Plan G premiums for the same age and location. In the New York metro area, monthly premiums for Plan N generally range from $220 to $299, depending on where you live and the carrier you choose.
Because the federal government standardizes Medigap benefits, the Plan N coverage is identical from carrier to carrier — the only real difference is the monthly premium. As an independent broker, I compare rates across all available carriers to make sure you never overpay for the same coverage.
Is Plan N Worth the Premium Savings?
Plan N may be the right choice if you:
- Are generally healthy and see doctors infrequently
- Want strong catastrophic protection without a high monthly premium
- Are comfortable paying small copays at the point of service
- Only see doctors who accept Medicare assignment — eliminating excess charge risk
- Want to keep your monthly costs as low as possible
Medigap Plan N vs Plan G — Which Is Right for You?
The choice between Plan N and Plan G is one of the most common decisions I help clients make. Here is a clear side-by-side comparison:
| Feature | Plan N | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| Part B deductible | ❌ Not covered | ❌ Not covered |
| Part B excess charges | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Covered |
| Doctor visit copays | ⚠️ Up to $20 | ✅ No copay |
| Emergency room copay | ⚠️ Up to $50 | ✅ No copay |
| Skilled nursing facility | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| Monthly premium | ✅ Lower | ⚠️ Higher |
Bottom line: Plan G offers more complete coverage with no copays. Plan N offers lower monthly premiums with modest copays per visit. The right choice depends on how frequently you use medical services and your budget.
Understanding Part B Excess Charges and Plan N
One important consideration with Plan N is that it does not cover Part B excess charges. Excess charges occur when a doctor does not accept Medicare assignment and charges up to 15% above Medicare’s approved amount.
However, this is less of a concern in New York than in many other states. New York has laws that limit how doctors can bill Medicare patients, which reduces the likelihood of facing excess charges. I can help you evaluate whether this is a meaningful risk based on your specific doctors and healthcare situation.
Medigap Plan N and New York’s Guaranteed Issue Protections
Like all Medigap plans in New York, Plan N benefits from the state’s guaranteed issue protections year-round. This means insurance companies cannot deny your Plan N application or charge higher premiums based on your health history, regardless of when you apply.
This is a significant advantage for New York seniors compared to most other states, where medical underwriting applies outside of the initial Medigap enrollment window.
How to Enroll in Medigap Plan N
The best time to enroll in Plan N is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a 6-month window beginning the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window, you have guaranteed issue rights nationwide.
In New York, you have the additional protection of guaranteed issue year-round, so you can enroll in or switch to Plan N at any time without fear of being denied coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions — Medigap Plan N
What is the difference between Medigap Plan N and Plan G?
The main differences are that Plan N has lower monthly premiums but requires copays of up to $20 for doctor visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits. Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges while Plan G does. Both plans require you to pay the annual Part B deductible of $257 in 2026.
Does Medigap Plan N cover prescription drugs?
No — Medigap plans do not include prescription drug coverage. If you choose Plan N, you will need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
In most states, switching from Plan N to Plan G requires medical underwriting — meaning you could be denied or charged more based on health conditions. However, in New York, guaranteed issue protections apply year-round, allowing you to switch between Medigap plans at any time, regardless of health history.
How does Plan N compare to Medicare Advantage?
Plan N works alongside Original Medicare, giving you freedom to see any Medicare-accepting doctor nationwide with no network restrictions. Medicare Advantage replaces Original Medicare through a private carrier and typically has network restrictions but often lower or $0 monthly premiums. The right choice depends on your health needs, preferred doctors, and budget.
Get Your Free Medigap Plan N Quote
As an independent Medicare broker appointed with all major carriers, I compare Plan N rates across every available carrier in your area to make sure you get the best coverage at the lowest available premium. My services are completely free. I am compensated by the insurance carriers, not by you.
I serve clients across New York, New Jersey, and nationwide by phone, video, or in person.
📞 Contact Craig Smith Insurance Group today at (917) 740-1895 for your free Medigap Plan N quote and consultation. No pressure, no obligation, just straightforward guidance from an independent broker who genuinely cares about getting you the right coverage.
