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Medicare Supplement Plan N

Overview, Coverage & Costs for Medigap Plan G in 2026

AT A GLANCE
  • Strong gap coverage with lower premiums than Plan G or F
  • Visit any doctor or specialist who accests Medicare
  • Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance and more covered
  • Small copays for some office and ER visits in exchange for savings

Medigap Plan N: An Overview of Medicare Supplement Insurance

Medigap Plan N is one of ten standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance plans designed to help fill the gaps left by Original Medicare. It provides strong financial protection by covering many of the out-of-pocket costs — deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments — that Original Medicare leaves behind.

What makes Plan N unique is its balance between comprehensive coverage and affordability. In exchange for modest copayments on certain services, Plan N typically offers lower monthly premiums than Plan G or Plan F, making it an attractive option for beneficiaries who want solid coverage without paying top dollar.

Let's explore what Plan N covers, what it costs, and how to enroll. You can also use the menu at the top of this page to navigate directly to specific sections.

FAQs About Plan N

Medicare Supplement Plan N is a Medigap policy that covers most Original Medicare out-of-pocket costs, including the Part A deductible, Part B coinsurance, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and foreign travel emergencies. The main difference from Plan G is that Plan N includes small copays — up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't lead to admission — and does not cover Part B excess charges.

Monthly premiums for Plan N vary by carrier, age, gender, tobacco use, and zip code. In 2026, typical premiums range from roughly $75 to $250/month — generally $20 to $60 less per month than Plan G. Because Plan N is standardized by CMS, every carrier's Plan N covers the same benefits; the only difference is the premium.

It depends on your healthcare usage. Plan N has lower premiums but includes copays for some office visits (up to $20) and non-admitted ER visits (up to $50), and it doesn't cover Part B excess charges. If you visit the doctor infrequently, the premium savings with Plan N usually outweigh the copays. If you have frequent appointments or see doctors who charge above Medicare-approved rates, Plan G may be the better value.

Part B excess charges occur when a doctor who accepts Medicare but doesn't "accept assignment" charges up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan N does not cover these charges, while Plan G does. In practice, most doctors accept assignment (meaning no excess charges), and some states have banned them entirely. Your UMA agent can help you assess whether this is a concern in your area.

Yes. Medicare Supplement plans — including Plan N — have no provider networks. Any doctor or hospital that accepts Original Medicare will accept your Plan N coverage, anywhere in the United States.

The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6-month window that starts the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on health conditions. Outside this window, you may need to pass medical underwriting.

Plan N is ideal for Medicare beneficiaries who want strong gap coverage at a lower price point. It works especially well for people in good-to-moderate health who visit the doctor a handful of times per year, don't use the ER frequently, and want predictable costs without paying the highest premium tier.

What Does Plan N Cover?

Medigap Plan N offers broad coverage that handles most of the costs Original Medicare doesn't pay. Here's what's included:

Hospital Costs

Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 additional days

Part B Coinsurance*

Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment

Blood Coverage

Coverage for the first three pints of blood

Hospice Care

Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment

Skilled Nursing

Coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care

Part A Deducitble

Full Medicare Part A deductible coverage

Foreign Travel

Emergency coverage abroad, up to plan limits

* Plan N Copayments: Plan N covers Part B coinsurance in full, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. These small copays are the trade-off that keeps Plan N premiums lower.

Not Covered by Medigap Plan G

Prescription Drugs

Like all Medicare Supplement plans, you'll need a separate Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan

Dental, Vision, Hearing

Additional coverage available through separate plans

Part B Deductible

You'll pay the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) before Medicare begins covering outpatient services


Part B Excess Charges

Unlike Plan G, Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges — the amount a doctor can charge above the Medicare-approved amount (up to 15% more)

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What Does Plan N cost?

The cost of Medigap Plan N varies depending on your location, age, gender, and health status. Because Plan N includes modest copayments for certain services, insurers can offer it at a lower monthly premium than Plan G — often $20 to $60 less per month, depending on the carrier and region.

Insurance companies use different pricing methods (community-rated, issue-age, or attained-age), so comparing quotes from multiple providers is essential. Some carriers may also offer household discounts, non-smoker rates, or other savings programs.

The small copays with Plan N — up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for non-admitted ER visits — mean your total annual out-of-pocket cost depends on how frequently you use those services. For beneficiaries who visit the doctor only a few times a year, the premium savings typically outweigh the copays by a wide margin.
Pricing varies by location, age, and gender
Beneficiary Demographics Low Estimate High Estimate
Female, 65-years old, non-tobacco user $89 $439
Male, 65-years old, non-tobacco user $130 $495
Female, 75-years old, non-tobacco user $115 $439
Male, 75-years old, non-tobacco user $130 $495

* Table data courtesy of Medicare.gov and accurate as of 2026.

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How & When to Enroll in Medigap Plan N

To enroll in Medigap Plan N, you must first be enrolled in Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts on the first day of the month when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurance companies are generally not allowed to deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on your health conditions.

If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may still be able to enroll in Medigap Plan N, but you may be subject to medical underwriting. This means the insurance company can consider your health status and potentially charge you higher premiums or deny coverage altogether.

You also may qualify for Special Enrollment Periods, such as if your current plan has been discontinued, where you can enroll in a new Medicare Supplement plan without underwriting.

If you've missed your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, or are unsure if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, United Medicare Advisors can help analyze your situation. Should you require underwriting, our licensed insurance agents can assist you during this process. With access to over 20 national insurance providers with different underwriting standards, we can compare multiple plans and requirements for you to help find a plan that fits your needs.

Month 1
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period begins if you are 65+ and enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B.
Month 2
You're able to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Month 3
You're able to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Month 4
You're able to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Month 5
You're able to enroll in a Medigap plan.
Month 6
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends at the end of the month; you can still enroll in a Medigap plan, but you may have to go through an underwriting process unless you have guaranteed issue rights.

Understanding Underwriting For Medicare Supplement Plan N

Underwriting is the evaluation process conducted by insurance companies to assess an individual's health status and determine their eligibility for a Medicare Supplement plan. It involves reviewing medical history, current health conditions, and other relevant information.

In some situations, individuals have guaranteed issue rights that allow them to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan without undergoing underwriting. These rights are typically provided when certain circumstances occur, such as losing existing coverage or the plan being discontinued. In such cases, underwriting is not required, and the individual cannot be denied coverage or charged higher premiums based on their health status.

1. Effects on Premiums (Cost)

If you apply for a Medigap plan during a period when underwriting is allowed (typically any time after your initial six-month Open Enrollment Period), your health status can lead to:

Preferred vs. Standard Rates: Healthy applicants may qualify for "Preferred" rates, while those with managed conditions (like high blood pressure) might be placed in a "Standard" or "Level 2" tier with higher monthly premiums.

Tobacco Surcharges: Most carriers charge significantly higher premiums (often 10–20% more) if you have used tobacco products within the last 12–24 months.

Height/Weight Adjustments: Being severely over or underweight (outside of a carrier's accepted BMI range) can result in a premium "up-rate" or a flat denial.

2. Effects on Coverage (Access):

Underwriting determines not just the price, but whether you can get the plan at all:

Denial: Insurance companies can—and frequently do—deny applications for "declinable conditions" such as heart failure, Parkinson’s disease, active cancer, or end-stage renal disease.

Pre-existing Condition Waiting Periods: Even if accepted, an insurer may impose a waiting period of up to six months before they cover costs related to a pre-existing condition (unless you have "creditable coverage" from a previous plan to offset this).

Treatment Limitations: Insurers often won't approve an application if you have a "pending" surgery or medical test that hasn't been completed yet.

3. When Underwriting Does NOT Apply

There are specific "protected" windows where insurance companies must sell you a plan at the best available rate, regardless of your health:

Medigap Open Enrollment Period:
This is the six-month window that starts the month you are 65+ and enrolled in Medicare Part B.

Guaranteed Issue (GI) Rights: Specific life events, such as losing employer coverage or moving out of a Medicare Advantage plan's service area, grant you a "safety net" window to buy a plan without answering health questions.

State-Specific Rules: A few states (like New York, Connecticut, and Vermont) allow year-round enrollment without underwriting. Others (like California, Illinois, and Missouri) have "Birthday" or "Anniversary" rules that allow you to switch plans without health questions during a specific window each year.

If you're interesting in enrolling in Medigap Plan G and find yourself outside of the Medigap Open Enrollment Period or a Special Enrollment Period, United Medicare Advisors can assist you during the underwriting process. Because underwriting guidelines can vary between insurance companies, our licensed insurance agents can help you compare a wide range of options between multiple national providers.

What Medigap Plans are similar to Plan N?

If Medigap Plan N doesn't meet your specific needs, you may want to consider similar plans such as Medigap Plan G or Medigap Plan K.

Medigap Plan G is the most popular Medigap plan for new enrollees. It covers everything Plan N does, plus Part B excess charges — and without copayments. The trade-off is a higher monthly premium, typically $20 to $60 more per month than Plan N.

Medigap Plan K offers a more budget-friendly alternative with lower premiums, but it only covers 50% of many benefits (Part B coinsurance, blood, hospice, skilled nursing) until you reach the annual out-of-pocket limit. Once you hit that limit, the plan covers 100% for the rest of the year.
Benefit Plan G Plan N Plan K
Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 days)
Part B coinsurance or copayment * 50%
Blood (first 3 pints) 50%
Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment 50%
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance 50%
Part A deductible 50%
Part B deductible
Part B excess charges
Foreign travel emergency (up to plan limits)
Annual out-of-pocket limit $8,000
* Plan N covers Part B coinsurance, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in an inpatient admission.

Understanding Plan N Copayments

The copayments on Plan N are the key distinction from Plan G and Plan F. Here's exactly how they work:

Office Visit Copay — Up to $20

When you visit a doctor's office for a Medicare-covered service, you may owe a copayment of up to $20 after Medicare pays its share. This applies to routine doctor visits and specialist visits. Many carriers charge exactly $20, but the amount can be lower. Preventive services covered at 100% by Medicare (like your Annual Wellness Visit) do not have a copay.

Emergency Room Copay — Up to $50

If you visit the emergency room and are not admitted to the hospital as an inpatient, you may owe a copay of up to $50. If you are admitted, the copay is waived entirely — your Plan N coverage kicks in at 100% for the inpatient stay.

How Much Do These Copays Actually Cost Per Year?

For a beneficiary who visits the doctor 6 times per year and has no ER visits, the annual copay cost would be approximately $120 ($20 × 6 visits). If your Plan N premium is $40/month less than Plan G, you'd save $480/year in premiums and pay just $120 in copays — a net savings of $360.

This is why Plan N is often the most cost-effective Medigap plan for beneficiaries in good-to-moderate health who visit the doctor occasionally but don't have frequent office visits or ER trips.

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