Everything You Need To Know
Aside from Plan F, Medigap Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plans. It essentially has the same coverage as Plan F, except for the Part B deductible. Learn more about this plan below, or schedule an agent call for assistance.
Free Price Report
Get a free price report to compare insurance companies and premiums for Medigap Plan G in your area. It’s important to note that coverages between companies for the same plans remain the same, but premiums can vary significantly. We make it easy to find the best rate for your preferred plan through a quick and easy survey.
Medigap Plan G Coverage
Medigap Plan G offers comprehensive benefits. Here’s a quick overview of everything Plan G does and does not cover:
| Medigap Benefits | Medigap Plans | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | ||||||||||
| Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are used up | Yes | |||||||||
| Part B coinsurance or copayment | Yes | |||||||||
| Blood (first 3 pints) | Yes | |||||||||
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | Yes | |||||||||
| Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance | Yes | |||||||||
| Part A deductible | Yes | |||||||||
| Part B deductible | No | |||||||||
| Part B | Yes | |||||||||
| Foreign travel exchange (up to plan limits) | 80% | |||||||||
| Out-of-pocket limit | N/A | |||||||||
Medigap Plan G Covers…
- Medicare Part A deductible
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment and excess charges
- First three pints of blood used in an approved medical procedure (annually)
- Foreign travel emergency medical care (80% up to plan limits)
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) coinsurance
Medigap Plan G Does NOT Cover…
- Medicare Part B deductible
- Anything that Medicare doesn’t insure to begin with, including:
- Homeopathic treatments (e.g. acupuncture)
- Routine vision care/eyeglasses
- Routine dental care/dentures
- Foot care not related to medical conditions
- Hearing aids/routine hearing tests
- Cosmetic surgery
- Custodial care
Compare With Plan F
The key difference between Plan G and Plan F is the Medicare Part B deductible coverage. Plan F offers this coverage, while Plan G does not. Note that with the new law effective 1/1/2020, this difference is nullified for new beneficiaries.
The Part B Deductible
The Medicare Part B deductible covers general medical and outpatient care. It’s one of the lower-costing expenses associated with Medicare, costing only $203 annually as of 2021. Medicare Plan G covers all but that $203, which you will pay for the first time you have outpatient care that year. After $203 is satisfied, Medicare will pay 80% of remaining outpatient costs and Plan G will pay the other 20%.
Most importantly, Plan G covers all Medicare Part A expenses, which include all hospital expenses and the hospital deductible, which can otherwise be $1484 (as of 2021) or thousands of dollars more.
Impacts Of New Law
A law passed in 2015 states that after January 1, 2020, no Medigap policies covering the Medicare Part B deductible (i.e., Medigap plans F and C) may be sold or issued to any eligible Medicare beneficiary. That means people who turn 65 on December 31, 2019 will be the last group eligible to enroll in Medigap Plans F and C. However, everyone eligible and enrolled in Medicare PRIOR to 1/1/2020 will still have the right to switch from Plan F or Plan C with one carrier to another OR purchase a new Plan F or C for the first time.
What It Means For You
While Medigap Plan F may be the most-selected supplement plan, Medigap plan G is becoming an increasingly popular plan due to its similar spectrum of comprehensive coverage and less expensive premiums. With the changes to Plan F, you may consider Plan G as a viable alternative.
Availability Information
Note that Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin offer separate, standardized Medicare Supplement plans. Medicare Supplement Plan G isn’t available in those states.
Additional Considerations
Medigap plans provide coverage for any doctor that’s in-network for Medicare. This allows you to choose from more than 800,000 providers nationwide. Medicare supplement plans allow you to see any Medicare specialist, with no referral from a primary care doctor required. Your coverage is also guaranteed renewable, meaning it can never be canceled due to health conditions from the claims you file.
Note that Medigap plans are standardized by the government, so you get the same benefits regardless of where and from which private insurance company you purchase your plan. Therefore, when shopping for coverage, you’ll want to mostly consider companies’ rates and rate history increases.
The Bottom Line?
Medigap Plan G is a comprehensive plan to consider if you’re looking for well-rounded coverage or if you were affected by the 2020 law going into effect. If you’re still unsure what plan you need, see our Medigap Plans Comparison, or schedule an agent call for assistance.
Remember, coverages for these plans are standardized across states. That means you’ll want to compare rates and rate-increase history to get the most affordable option for your health and finances. Get a free price report for your preferred plan today by completing a brief survey: