Medicare Supplement Plan G: What It Covers and What It Costs in 2026

If you’re turning 65 or recently enrolled in Original Medicare, you’ve probably come across Medicare Supplement Plan G during your research. And for good reason — Plan G has become the most popular Medigap plan in the country, offering some of the most comprehensive coverage available at a price that’s often more affordable than you’d expect. But what exactly does Plan G cover? How much will it cost you in 2026? And is it really the best choice for your situation? In this guide, we’ll break it all down in plain English so you can make a confident, informed decision about your Medicare coverage.

Key Takeaways

Plan G covers nearly everything Original Medicare doesn’t — including the Part A deductible, coinsurance, hospice care costs, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and even foreign travel emergencies. The only thing it doesn’t cover is the Medicare Part B deductible.
Monthly premiums for Plan G in 2026 typically range from $100 to $300 depending on your age, location, gender, and the insurance company you choose — making it one of the best values in Medigap coverage.
Plan G is widely considered the best Medigap plan available to new enrollees since Plan F is no longer available to people who became eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020.
The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — the 6-month window starting when you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B — when you’re guaranteed acceptance regardless of health conditions.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?

To understand why Plan G is so popular, it helps to know what Original Medicare (Parts A and B) leaves you on the hook for. Original Medicare covers a lot — hospital stays, doctor visits, lab work, outpatient procedures — but it doesn’t cover everything. There are deductibles, coinsurance amounts, and copayments that can add up fast, especially if you have a serious illness or hospitalization.

That’s where Medicare Supplement Plan G steps in. Plan G picks up almost all of those out-of-pocket costs, giving you predictable healthcare expenses throughout the year.

Here’s exactly what Plan G covers in 2026:

Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs — After Medicare pays its share for a hospital stay, Plan G covers your remaining coinsurance. This includes coverage for up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted — a critical safety net for extended hospitalizations.
Medicare Part A deductible — In 2026, the Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period. Plan G pays this in full, so you won’t owe anything when you’re admitted to the hospital.
Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment — After you meet your Part B deductible, Medicare covers 80% of approved services. Plan G covers the remaining 20%, so your doctor visits, outpatient procedures, and lab work are effectively covered at 100%.
Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance — If you need care in a skilled nursing facility after a qualifying hospital stay, Medicare covers the first 20 days in full but charges coinsurance of up to $204.50 per day for days 21 through 100. Plan G covers that coinsurance completely.
Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment — Plan G covers the small coinsurance amounts that can apply to hospice care services, including respite care and prescription drugs for pain management.
First three pints of blood — Both Part A and Part B require you to pay for the first three pints of blood you receive each year. Plan G covers this cost under both parts.
Foreign travel emergency care (80%) — If you travel outside the United States and have a medical emergency, Plan G covers 80% of the cost up to a lifetime maximum of $50,000 (after a $250 deductible). Original Medicare provides almost no coverage outside the U.S., so this is a valuable benefit for travelers.

What Plan G Does NOT Cover

There’s only one gap in Plan G’s coverage: the Medicare Part B deductible. In 2026, this deductible is $257 per year. That means once you pay that $257 out of pocket at the start of each year, Plan G covers virtually everything else.

That’s it. One deductible. For many beneficiaries, that $257 annual cost is a small price to pay for the peace of mind that comes with knowing your healthcare costs are almost entirely predictable.

Plan G also does not cover:

Prescription drugs (you’ll need a separate Medicare Part D plan for that)
Dental, vision, or hearing care (these require separate coverage)
Long-term custodial care (nursing home care that isn’t skilled nursing)
Private-duty nursing

How Much Does Plan G Cost in 2026?

One of the most common questions about Medicare Supplement Plan G is: “What will I actually pay each month?” The answer depends on several factors, but we can give you a solid range to work with.

National Premium Ranges

In 2026, monthly premiums for Medicare Supplement Plan G generally fall in these ranges:

Low end: $90–$130 per month (typically for 65-year-old women in lower-cost states)
Mid range: $140–$200 per month (the most common range for new enrollees)
High end: $200–$350 per month (older enrollees, high-cost states, or certain carriers)

Factors That Affect Your Premium

Several key factors determine your specific Plan G premium:

Your age — This is the biggest factor. A 65-year-old will typically pay significantly less than a 75-year-old for the same plan. Most insurance companies use “attained-age” pricing, which means your premium increases as you get older.

Where you live — Premiums vary dramatically by state and even by ZIP code. States like Florida, New York, and Connecticut tend to have higher premiums, while states in the Midwest and South often have lower rates.

Gender — Women generally pay lower premiums than men for Medigap plans, though the gap has narrowed over the years. Some states prohibit gender-based pricing entirely.

Tobacco use — If you smoke or use tobacco products, expect to pay 10–25% more for your Plan G premium. Some carriers impose even higher surcharges.

The insurance company — This is important to understand: every Plan G policy covers the exact same benefits, regardless of which company sells it. The coverage is standardized by federal law. But each insurance company sets its own premium, so prices can vary by $50–$100 per month or more for the identical coverage. Shopping around is essential.

Sample Monthly Premiums by State (2026 Estimates)

| State | Age 65 (Female) | Age 65 (Male) | Age 75 (Female) | Age 75 (Male) | |——-|—————–|—————|—————–|—————| | Texas | $95–$140 | $110–$160 | $140–$200 | $165–$235 | | Florida | $130–$185 | $155–$215 | $195–$275 | $225–$315 | | Ohio | $90–$130 | $105–$155 | $135–$195 | $160–$225 | | California | $115–$165 | $135–$190 | $175–$245 | $200–$280 | | New York | $150–$210 | $150–$210 | $150–$210 | $150–$210 | | Illinois | $100–$145 | $115–$170 | $150–$215 | $175–$250 |

Note: New York uses “community-rated” pricing, meaning premiums don’t vary by age — everyone pays the same rate regardless of when they enroll.

The Total Cost Picture

When evaluating Plan G’s cost, don’t just look at the monthly premium. Consider your total annual out-of-pocket spending:

Monthly premium × 12 = annual premium cost
Plus the $257 Part B deductible (once per year)
That’s it — no surprise hospital bills, no 20% coinsurance on doctor visits, no worrying about costs if you get seriously ill

For most beneficiaries, the total annual cost of Plan G (premiums + Part B deductible) comes out to roughly $1,500–$3,100 per year — and in return, you get near-complete financial protection against medical costs.

Plan G vs. Plan F vs. Plan N: Which Is Best?

When shopping for Medigap coverage, you’ll likely narrow your choices down to three plans: Plan G, Plan F, and Plan N. Here’s how they compare:

Plan G vs. Plan F

Plan F is the “Cadillac” of Medigap plans — it covers everything Plan G covers plus the Part B deductible. Sounds better, right? Not necessarily.

The catch: Plan F is only available to people who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. If you turned 65 after that date, Plan F simply isn’t an option for you.

Even if you are eligible for Plan F, there’s a strong argument for choosing Plan G instead. Plan F premiums are typically $30–$60 per month higher than Plan G premiums for the same company. That means you’re paying $360–$720 more per year just to avoid the $257 Part B deductible. The math doesn’t work in Plan F’s favor.

Additionally, because no new enrollees are entering Plan F, the risk pool is getting older and sicker over time, which means Plan F premiums are increasing faster than Plan G premiums. This trend is expected to continue for years to come.

Plan G vs. Plan N

Plan N is the budget-friendly alternative to Plan G. It has lower monthly premiums — typically $20–$50 less per month than Plan G — but it comes with some cost-sharing:

You’ll pay the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026)
You may pay up to $20 copay for some office visits
You may pay up to $50 copay for emergency room visits that don’t result in an admission
Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges (though these are rare and banned in many states)

Who should consider Plan N? If you’re generally healthy, don’t visit the doctor frequently, and want to save on monthly premiums, Plan N can be a smart choice. The savings on premiums can outweigh the occasional copays for many people.

Who should stick with Plan G? If you want maximum predictability, see doctors regularly, or simply want the peace of mind of knowing virtually all your costs are covered, Plan G is the stronger choice. You’ll never worry about copays or excess charges.

Quick Comparison Table

When to Enroll in Plan G: Timing Is Everything

The single most important factor in getting the best deal on Medicare Supplement Plan G is when you enroll. Here’s what you need to know:

The Medigap Open Enrollment Period

Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (OEP) is a one-time, 6-month window that starts on the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period:

Every insurance company must accept you regardless of your health history
They cannot charge you more because of pre-existing conditions
They cannot deny you coverage or make you wait for coverage to begin

This is by far the best time to buy Plan G. You’ll have access to the widest selection of carriers and the lowest premiums available to you.

What Happens If You Miss the OEP?

If you try to buy Plan G outside your Open Enrollment Period, insurance companies can — and often do — use medical underwriting. This means they can:

Ask about your health conditions and medical history
Charge higher premiums based on your health
Deny your application entirely
Impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions

If you’re in good health, you may still be able to get approved at reasonable rates. But if you have significant health issues, finding affordable coverage outside the OEP can be very difficult.

Guaranteed Issue Rights

There are some situations where you have a guaranteed issue right to buy a Medigap plan outside the OEP without medical underwriting. These include:

Your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your area or stops providing coverage
You lose employer group health coverage
Your Medigap insurance company goes bankrupt or misleads you
You joined a Medicare Advantage plan when you first became eligible for Medicare at 65 and want to switch back to Original Medicare within the first 12 months

If any of these apply to you, act quickly — guaranteed issue rights typically last only 63 days.

Top Insurance Companies Offering Plan G in 2026

Since all Plan G policies cover the exact same benefits, choosing the right insurance company comes down to price, financial stability, and customer service. Here are some of the top carriers offering Plan G nationwide:

Mutual of Omaha — Consistently competitive pricing, strong financial ratings, and a long history in the Medicare supplement market.
Aetna — Known for competitive rates in many states, particularly for younger enrollees, with a large provider network.
Cigna — Offers competitive Plan G rates and is known for straightforward claims processing.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (various affiliates) — Many local BCBS affiliates offer Plan G with strong brand recognition and provider acceptance.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare — One of the largest Medigap carriers, though not always the most affordable option. The AARP brand carries name recognition, but premiums are often higher than competitors.

Pro tip: Always compare quotes from at least 3–5 carriers before making a decision. An independent Medicare insurance broker can help you compare all available options in your area at no cost to you — they’re paid by the insurance companies, not by you.

Is Medicare Supplement Plan G Worth It?

Let’s put it all together. Is Plan G the right choice for you?

Plan G is likely worth it if:

You want predictable, low out-of-pocket healthcare costs
You’re willing to pay a moderate monthly premium for comprehensive coverage
You want the freedom to see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country, without referrals or network restrictions
You travel within the U.S. or internationally and want coverage wherever you go
You value peace of mind and don’t want to worry about unexpected medical bills

Plan G might not be the best fit if:

You’re on a very tight budget and can’t comfortably afford the monthly premiums (consider Plan N or a Medicare Advantage plan as alternatives)
You rarely see doctors and are comfortable taking on more financial risk
You prefer a plan with built-in prescription drug coverage and extra benefits (Medicare Advantage plans bundle these, though they come with trade-offs like network restrictions)

For most Medicare beneficiaries who want solid, reliable coverage without the headaches of network restrictions or surprise bills, Medicare Supplement Plan G is the gold standard in 2026. The combination of comprehensive benefits, predictable costs, and nationwide provider access is hard to beat.

How to Get Started

Ready to explore your Plan G options? Here’s what to do:

Determine your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — Mark your calendar for the 6-month window starting when you turn 65 and enroll in Part B.
Compare quotes from multiple insurance companies — Remember, the coverage is identical across carriers, so price matters.
Work with an independent broker — A licensed, independent Medicare insurance agent can compare all available plans and carriers in your area. Their services are free to you.
Don’t forget Part D — Plan G doesn’t cover prescription drugs, so you’ll want to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan as well.
Review your coverage annually — While Plan G benefits don’t change, premiums do. Check each year to make sure you’re still getting a competitive rate.

Medicare doesn’t have to be confusing. With the right Medicare Supplement plan in place, you can focus on what actually matters — living your life without worrying about healthcare costs.