Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N in Florida: How to Tell Which Fits

If you've decided a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy is the direction for you, you've probably run into the two names people talk about most: Plan G and Plan N. They're the most popular choices for folks new to Medicare, and they're more alike than different. Let me lay out where they line up and where they part ways, in plain English.

First, the thing that makes this easier than it looks: Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government. A Plan G is a Plan G no matter which company sells it — the coverage is identical by law. What changes between companies is the price and the service, not what the plan covers. So the real decision between G and N comes down to a few specific differences.

What Plan G and Plan N have in common

Both are strong, comprehensive supplements. With either one, after Original Medicare pays its share, the plan picks up most of what's left — your Part A hospital costs, the 20% Part B leaves on the table, and more. Neither plan covers the Part B annual deductible ($283 in 2026); you pay that yourself before either plan kicks in on the Part B side. And neither includes prescription drug coverage, so people with either plan typically add a standalone Part D drug plan.

Where they differ — the three things that actually matter

1. Monthly premium. Plan N usually has a lower monthly premium than Plan G. In exchange for that lower premium, Plan N asks you to share a little more of the cost when you actually use care (see below). Plan G costs a bit more each month but leaves you with fewer surprises at the doctor.

2. Copays at the point of care. This is the heart of it. Plan N has small copays: up to $20 for a doctor's office visit and up to $50 for an emergency room visit (the ER copay is waived if you're admitted). Plan G has no such copays — once your Part B deductible is met, your covered doctor and ER visits are generally paid in full.

3. Part B "excess charges." Plan G covers something called Part B excess charges; Plan N does not. An excess charge can happen if a provider doesn't accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment and bills up to 15% more. In practice these are uncommon — most doctors accept Medicare's rate — but Plan G closes that gap and Plan N leaves it open.

A side-by-side look

	Plan G	Plan N
Monthly premium	Higher	Lower
Doctor / ER copays	None	Up to $20 office, up to $50 ER (waived if admitted)
Part B excess charges	Covered	Not covered
Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)	You pay it	You pay it
Prescription drugs	Add a Part D plan	Add a Part D plan

So which one fits?

There's no universal "better" plan here — there's only the one that fits you. A reasonable way to think about it:

• Plan G tends to suit people who want the most predictable costs and would rather pay a little more each month than think about copays or excess charges. You trade a higher premium for fewer variables.
• Plan N tends to suit people who don't mind a small copay at visits and want to keep their monthly premium lower. If you don't see the doctor constantly and your providers accept Medicare's rate (most do), the savings on premium can outweigh the copays.

The math depends on how often you expect to use care, the premiums available where you live in Florida, and your own comfort with predictability versus a lower monthly bill. Premiums vary by company and by your area, so the only way to know your real numbers is to compare actual options.

Quick questions, quick answers

Still deciding between Advantage and a supplement? Start with Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap, or visit the homepage →.