Plan G vs Plan N: Annual Cost Comparison
Both plans make you pay the 2026 Part B deductible of $283 (Medicare.gov). Plan N charges less in premium but adds copays of up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per ER visit, and leaves Part B excess charges uncovered. Put your own quotes in and see which one actually wins over a year.
Copays shown are the maximums under standardized Plan N cost-sharing (Medicare.gov). Excludes Part B excess charges, which Plan G covers and Plan N does not. Nothing you enter is stored.
Frequently asked questions
Is Plan N always cheaper than Plan G?
No. Plan N's premium is lower, but it adds copays of up to $20 per office visit and up to $50 per emergency-room visit that doesn't lead to admission. If you see doctors often, the copays can erase the premium savings — which is exactly what this calculator shows.
What are Part B excess charges?
A provider who doesn't accept Medicare assignment can bill up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers those excess charges; Plan N does not. Florida permits excess charges, so this is a real risk here, not a technicality — it isn't in the math below because it depends entirely on which providers you use.
Do Plan G and Plan N cover the same hospital costs?
Yes. Both cover the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026, CMS.gov) in full, along with coinsurance and an extra 365 days of hospital coverage. The differences are the office and ER copays and the excess-charge gap.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
Outside your six-month Medigap open-enrollment window, a carrier can medically underwrite you and decline. That makes the first choice more consequential than the premium difference suggests — worth talking through before you enroll.
Method: 2026 Part B deductible $283 (CMS.gov); Plan N office copay up to $20 and ER copay up to $50 per standardized Medigap benefits (Medicare.gov). Premiums vary by carrier, age, ZIP and underwriting class, so this is only as accurate as the quotes you enter — ask for carrier-specific quotes for your ZIP.
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More calculators on the free tools hub, or read the background in Medicare 101.