Medicare Plan G is one of the most popular supplement plans out there. But what exactly does it cover? Plan G covers fees in every supplement plan category aside from the Part B deductible. The full list of costs covered are:
- Part A Coinsurance
- Part B Coinsurance
- Blood (First 3 Pints)
- Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copay
- Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance
- Part A Deductible
- Part B Excess Charges
- Foreign Travel Emergency
Read More: Medicare Supplement Plans: Everything You Need To Know
Why is Plan G So Popular?
There are a few reasons why Plan G is one of the most popular out there. The main reason is, of course, the excellent coverage. Plan G covers you for everything aside from the Part B deductible. This is $240 for the year, which is quite low for a yearly deductible.
Another reason that Plan G is so popular is that it is offered by many insurance companies. Because of this, prices are more competitive. The additional choices you have here means that there are also various discounts to take advantage of, unique to each plan. We’ll discuss some of these later on.
Plan G covers two crucial areas that can result in unexpected fees for some people. These are the excess charge and foreign travel coverage. Although these costs won’t be too high for most, there is no way to tell in advance how high these costs will be. For many, this makes coverage more desirable.
Learn More: What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G?
Is Plan G Right For Me?
Although Plan G is a good plan that works for many, that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the right plan for you. Here are a few things to think over before you make your decision.
What if I Don’t Need That Much Coverage?
There are a few situations in which you may want to find another plan. For example, if you are very sure you won’t need as much coverage as Plan G offers. Plan G is can seem overly comprehensive to some, but most people regularly use the coverage that it offers, making it worth it in the long run.
If you have specific reasons for knowing that a more slimmed-down Plan, like Plan A, works better for you, then that may be the case. However, due to a combination of price and coverage, Plan G is one of the best plans for most people out there.
Are Other Plans Cheaper Than Plan G?
Another reason to go for a different plan is to find a better deal if you can calculate that it works out in your favor. For example, Plan D and Plan G are very similar. If you find an offer for Plan D that is significantly cheaper than Plan G, you may save money that way even though you have less coverage. However, this depends on your specific scenario, so we can’t offer any specific advice here.
Plan G vs. Plan F: Which is Better?
You may also be considering Plan F, another hugely popular supplement plan. In contrast with Plan G, Plan F covers every single fee category, including the Part B Deductible. Choosing between Plan G and Plan F can be tricky, so it depends on your specific situation.
The simplest way to choose between these plans is to see if you will save more by switching to Plan F. This is quite simple to do because the Part B deductible is a fixed cost. If Plan F costs more than $17 a month more than Plan G, then it is not worth it. This is because $17 per month amounts to more than the Part B deductible, meaning it would be better to pay the deductible outright, instead of getting Plan F.
Plan F is Being Phased Out
In addition to this, it’s important to note that Plan F is being phased out. If you were eligible for Medicare before 2020, then you’ll still be able to buy Plan F. However, if you only became eligible after 2020, Plan F will not be available for you. Note that you don’t actually need to have enrolled in Medicare before 2020, as long as you were eligible.
Read More: What is Medicare Supplement Plan F?
Is Plan N Better than Plan G?
Plan N is another plan that is similar to Plan G. Plan N covers the same categories as Plan G but doesn’t cover Part B excess charges.
Similar to Plan F, there’s no general way to tell if Plan N is better for you. If you don’t know what your excess charges will be, it may be better to go for Plan G, since it will have you covered. On the other hand, if your excess charges are regular year after year, and Plan N comes out cheaper for you. This can be a useful alternative to think about.
Plan N may include a copay of up to $20 for doctor visits and $50 for emergency room visits that don’t result in inpatient treatment.
Should I Consider Plan D?
Plan D is another plan that is quite similar to Plan G. It covers the same things as Plan G but doesn’t cover excess charges or the Part B deductible. Plan N is nearly identical to Plan D but Plan D doesn’t involve the additional copays present with Plan N.
Overall, Plan D is an excellent plan to consider, but it again comes down to a cost analysis. This will be similar to the cost analysis for Plan N since the coverage categories are the same. However, if you make frequent doctor visits or emergency room visits, Plan D may be better to consider than Plan N.
One thing to consider about Plan D is that it is not offered by as many insurance companies as some of these other more popular plans. It is worthwhile to consider, but may not be as easily available as some of these other plans.
Where Can I Buy Plan G?
Plan G is offered by many insurance companies. Here, we’ll just go over a few and discuss the specific perks and discounts they offer. These discounts may vary on a state by state basis but should give you an idea of what to expect.
| Insurance Company | Availability | Discounts |
| Mutual of Omaha | 50 states | Household Discount |
| United Healthcare | 50 states | Enrollment Discount, Household Discount |
| Humana | 50 states | Household Discount |
| Cigna | 50 states | Household Discount |
| Aetna | 42 states | Household Discount |
These are the most widely available plans you’ll likely be coming across. It is good to compare prices across these different companies and see which discounts are most applicable to you.
Most of these companies offer a household discount, meaning you can pay less if someone else in your household is covered by them as well. Some carriers offer a household discount if you live with someone else (they don’t need to buy anything).
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If you are looking for the right insurance company, call us at 800-208-4974 so we can review options with you.
Overall, Plan G is one of the most easily accessible and available plans throughout the country. No matter where you are, you should be able to find an affordable plan in your area.
How Much Does Plan G Cost?
As with all Medigap plans, there is no standard price for everyone. However, depending on where you live and your age, you should expect a monthly premium of around $90 – $120. The popularity of Plan G ensures that prices are kept competitive and low.
Where to Go Next?
With Plan G, the number of offerings can be overwhelming and hard to search through for some. If you want help finding the best deal in your area, feel free to call us at 800-208-4974. We are independent of any insurance plan, so we can focus on finding the best coverage for you.
Check out our Medicare Blog for more information.
