Is Medicare Plan G REALLY Worth It?

What Is Medicare Plan G?

Medicare Supplement Plan G, also called Medigap Plan G, works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help pay for costs that Medicare doesn’t fully cover. These out-of-pocket expenses can include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments.

Here’s what Plan G does cover:

• Part A hospital coinsurance and costs
• Part B coinsurance and copays
• First 3 pints of blood
• Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
• Part A hospice care coinsurance
• Part A deductible
• Part B excess charges
• Foreign travel emergency coverage (up to plan limits)

What Plan G does not cover:
The Part B deductible, which is $257 in 2025. Once you meet that, Plan G covers 100% of approved services for the rest of the year.

Who Is Medicare Plan G Best For?

Plan G is an ideal fit if you:

• Want the freedom to see any doctor or specialist that accepts Medicare across the U.S.
• Prefer predictable healthcare costs without worrying about co-pays or referrals
• Travel frequently or live in multiple states throughout the year
• Are willing to pay a monthly premium for comprehensive, worry-free coverage

We often call it a “set-it-and-forget-it” style plan because it offers peace of mind with minimal surprises.

How Much Does Medicare Plan G Cost?

Here’s where it gets a little tricky.

Although the benefits of Plan G are standardized (meaning the coverage is the same no matter who you buy it from), the price is not. Premiums vary widely depending on:

• Your zip code
• Age
• Gender
• Whether you use tobacco
• And most importantly, the insurance company

We’ve seen one carrier offer Plan G at $210/month, and another offer the same exact plan for $160/month in the same zip code. That’s a $600 per year difference for identical coverage.

That’s why we always recommend shopping around.

For example, we recently helped a client in Florida who had been paying $380/month for their Plan G. They stuck with the same company for years as the premium crept up annually. After reviewing options, we were able to move them to another carrier — same exact Plan G, same coverage, only $190/month. That’s a savings of over $2,200 per year.

Bottom line: just because you have Plan G doesn’t mean you’re paying the best rate.

Downsides of Medicare Plan G

As great as Plan G is, it’s not perfect for everyone. Let’s talk about a few limitations:

1. Monthly Premiums
   The most obvious downside is the cost. Plan G premiums can be a burden for people on fixed incomes. And yes, premiums usually go up every year.
2. No Dental, Vision, or Hearing Coverage
   You’ll need to buy separate plans for those benefits — they’re not included with Plan G.
3. No Prescription Drug Coverage
   You’ll also need a standalone Part D plan for medications.
4. Medical Underwriting
   Unless you’re in your Medicare Supplement Open Enrollment window or qualify for a guaranteed issue period, you’ll likely have to go through health underwriting to switch to or between Plan G policies. If you have certain health conditions, you could be denied or rated up.
5. Can Become Expensive Over Time
   If your Plan G premium keeps rising and you don’t qualify to switch plans due to underwriting, you could find yourself stuck with a costly plan.

When Plan G Might Not Be Worth It

In some situations, a Medicare Advantage PPO plan might make more sense.

We had a client paying over $400/month for Plan G. She switched to a Medicare Advantage PPO plan with a hospital indemnity rider and cancer policy for around $65/month. She kept her doctors, added prescription, dental, and vision benefits, and is now saving thousands each year.

That said, Medicare Advantage plans do have networks, co-pays, and annual maximum out-of-pocket costs, but for many people, the trade-off is worth it.

An Alternative to Consider: Plan N

Plan N is a close alternative to Plan G. The benefits are almost identical, with these exceptions:

• You’ll pay small co-pays at the doctor (up to $20) and the ER (up to $50)
• Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges

In return, Plan N usually has lower premiums and slower rate increases than Plan G. If you’re healthy and comfortable with occasional co-pays, it’s worth looking into.

We’ve helped many clients lower their monthly premiums by switching from Plan G to Plan N, while still maintaining strong coverage.

Final Thoughts: Is Plan G Really Worth It?

So — is Medicare Plan G really worth it?
For many, the answer is yes. It’s comprehensive, easy to use, and gives you nationwide coverage without the hassle of networks.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the right fit for everyone. Your health, budget, and lifestyle all play a role in deciding whether Plan G is the best option — or if you’d be better off with a lower-cost Plan N or a Medicare Advantage PPO.

The most important thing is to review your options annually, especially if you’ve had Plan G for a few years. Rates change, new plans become available, and you could be overpaying without realizing it.

Let’s Talk

If you’re unsure whether Plan G is worth it for you — or if you just want to see if you’re overpaying — give us a call at 800-208-4974 to book a free consultation. We’ll help you compare all your options and make the best decision for your situation.