Plan N can save you $720–$960 per year over Plan G — and most people would have to visit the doctor 36 to 48 times a year for Plan G to make more financial sense.
Plan N typically costs $60–$80 less per month than Plan G for the same core Medicare Supplement coverage. That adds up fast.
The main difference? Plan N has a $20 copay for doctor office visits. So how many visits would it take for Plan G to actually save you money?
You would need to visit the doctor 36 to 48 times per year — roughly once a week — for Plan G to break even. Most Medicare beneficiaries visit their doctor 6 to 12 times per year. For the vast majority, Plan N is the clear winner financially.
Both plans are standardized by the federal government — meaning the benefits are identical from carrier to carrier. The only differences between G and N are listed below.
| Coverage Feature | ✦ Plan N | Plan G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A Hospital Coinsurance & 365 Extra Days | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part B Coinsurance / Copayment | ✔ (up to $20 copay) | ✔ (100%) |
| Blood — First 3 Pints | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part A Deductible ($1,736 in 2026) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (80%) | ✔ | ✔ |
| Part B Excess Charges | ✘ (see notes below — rarely an issue) | ✔ |
| ER Copay (if not admitted) | Up to $50 | $0 |
| Office Visit Copay | Up to $20 | $0 |
| Typical Monthly Premium | Lower | Higher |
| Expected Rate Increases Over Time | Lower | Higher |
Note: Neither Plan G nor Plan N covers the annual Medicare Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), prescription drugs, dental, vision, or hearing.
Pennsylvania is one of only 8 states that prohibits Part B excess charges entirely. That means the main coverage difference between Plan G and Plan N — excess charge protection — simply doesn't apply if you see doctors in PA. This makes Plan N an even stronger value in our state. (The other states: CT, MA, MN, NY, OH, RI, VT.)
NJ and DE do allow excess charges — but here's what most people don't realize: approximately 98% of physicians billing Medicare are participating providers who accept assignment, meaning they agree to accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment. Of the small percentage who don't participate, nearly half are mental health professionals. According to KFF research, over 99% of claims submitted by physicians do not include an excess charge.
The bottom line: even in states that allow excess charges, the real-world probability of actually being billed one is extremely low. You can always confirm your doctor accepts assignment by asking their office or using Medicare's provider lookup tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare. For the vast majority of Plan N enrollees in NJ and DE, excess charges are simply not a concern.
Plan N premiums are typically $60 to $80 per month lower than Plan G. Over a year, that's $720 to $960 in savings that stays in your pocket. The only additional cost with Plan N is a small copay of up to $20 for some office visits, and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't result in hospital admission.
When you divide the annual savings by that $20 copay, you'd need to go to the doctor 36 to 48 times per year before Plan G would start saving you money. The average Medicare beneficiary sees their doctor about 6 to 12 times a year. That means Plan N saves most people hundreds of dollars every year.
And that's just the first year. As you'll see below, the savings compound over time because Plan N also tends to have lower rate increases year after year.
Here's something most people don't know: since 2020, federal law requires insurance carriers to offer guaranteed issue enrollment into Plan G for certain individuals leaving group coverage or Medicare Advantage plans. This means carriers must accept these applicants into Plan G regardless of their health status — no medical underwriting allowed.
While guaranteed issue is an important consumer protection, it has a side effect: Plan G attracts a disproportionate number of enrollees with significant health challenges. These enrollees tend to file more claims, which drives up the overall cost of the Plan G risk pool. Insurance carriers pass those higher costs along to all Plan G policyholders through higher rate increases.
Plan N, by contrast, is generally not a guaranteed issue plan. New enrollees who choose Plan N typically go through medical underwriting (outside of their initial open enrollment), which results in a healthier risk pool, lower claims, and more stable premiums over time.
Industry data suggests Plan G rate increases tend to run 1% to 4% higher annually than Plan N increases. Over 10 or 15 years, that difference compounds significantly.
Example starting at age 65, illustrative rates. Assumes 6% average annual increase for Plan G and 4% for Plan N.
| Age | Plan G Monthly | Plan N Monthly | Monthly Difference | Cumulative Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 65 | $155 | $95 | $60 | $720 |
| 67 | $174 | $103 | $71 | $2,304 |
| 70 | $207 | $116 | $91 | $5,256 |
| 73 | $247 | $130 | $117 | $9,588 |
| 75 | $277 | $141 | $136 | $13,164 |
| 80 | $371 | $171 | $200 | $25,344 |
*Illustrative projections based on typical market data. Actual premiums vary by carrier, location, age, and gender. Individual results will differ.
Plan N is an excellent fit for most Medicare beneficiaries — especially those who value both strong coverage and smart savings.
Every situation is different. I'll compare Plan G and Plan N rates from multiple carriers for your specific zip code, age, and health profile — and help you choose the plan that makes the most financial sense. There's never a cost for my help.
Serving Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey