What’s the real cost difference between Plan G and Plan N in Washington? In plain English, Plan N usually has a lower monthly premium, while Plan G generally costs more each month in exchange for fewer bills when you use outpatient care. Both plans leave you responsible for the Medicare Part B deductible, but Plan N adds limited copays for certain office and emergency room visits and does not cover Part B excess charges.
I’m Charles with Safe & Sound Medicare Solutions, and I like to explain this choice the way I would at your kitchen table: Plan G is often the “pay more up front for simplicity” option, while Plan N is often the “save on premium and accept a little cost-sharing” option. Neither is automatically better. The right fit depends on how you use care, how you feel about occasional copays, and what you want your monthly budget to look like.
First, What Plan G and Plan N Have in Common
Medigap, also called Medicare Supplement insurance, works alongside Original Medicare. Original Medicare pays its share of covered hospital and medical bills first, and your Medicare Supplement plan helps pay many of the remaining costs. You can generally see any doctor or hospital nationwide that accepts Medicare, without needing a provider network.
Plan G and Plan N are standardized plans. That means the core medical benefits for a particular letter plan are the same regardless of which insurance company sells it. The price, customer experience, rate history, and availability can differ by company, but a Plan G is still a Plan G and a Plan N is still a Plan N.
Both Plan G and Plan N help with major gaps left by Original Medicare, including hospital coinsurance, the Part A hospital deductible, skilled nursing facility coinsurance, and many other Medicare-approved cost-sharing amounts. Neither one includes outpatient prescription drug coverage, so most people who choose either plan also enroll in a separate Medicare Part D drug plan.
The Monthly Premium Difference
The most obvious difference is the monthly premium. Plan N is typically priced lower than Plan G because it asks you to share a little more of the cost when you receive certain care. Plan G is typically priced higher because it covers more of those remaining out-of-pocket costs.
I use the word “typically” on purpose. There is no single dollar amount that applies to every Washington resident, and premiums can change over time. Different insurance companies charge different prices for the same letter plan. That is why I compare the actual options available to you instead of making a recommendation from a generic price range.
Washington State also uses a community-rated pricing model
for Medicare Supplement coverage. Under Washington State’s community-rated pricing model, insurers set rates on a community-rated basis rather than pricing a standardized Medigap plan solely based on an individual’s age. That does not mean every carrier charges the same premium, or that rates never change. It means comparing carriers and plan letters is still important, even when two people are different ages.
At Safe & Sound Medicare Solutions, I help people look beyond “Which plan has the lowest monthly premium?” The better question is, “After I add the premium and the bills I am likely to have, which option feels better for my budget?”
What You Pay With Plan G
With Plan G, your main regular medical out-of-pocket cost is the annual Medicare Part B deductible. In 2026, that deductible is $283. Once you have met it, Plan G generally covers the remaining Medicare-approved Part A and Part B cost-sharing that Plan G is designed to cover.
That can make Plan G feel very straightforward. You pay your monthly Medicare Part B premium, your Plan G premium, your separate Part D premium if you have one, and the Part B deductible. After that, many people find their Medicare-covered medical bills are easier to predict.
Plan G also covers Part B excess charges. An excess charge can arise if a provider who does not accept Medicare assignment is allowed to bill above Medicare’s approved amount. It is not the everyday experience for most people, but it is one additional protection Plan G includes that Plan N does not. For someone who wants the broadest standardized coverage available to people new to Medicare, that feature can add peace of mind.
What You Pay With Plan N
Plan N also leaves you responsible for the annual Part B deductible. After you meet that deductible, Plan N pays the Part B coinsurance for covered services, with two important exceptions. You can pay a copay of up to $20 for certain office visits, and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not result in an inpatient admission.
Plan N also does not cover Part B excess charges. That is why I encourage anyone considering Plan N to ask their providers whether they accept Medicare assignment. It is a simple question, and it helps you understand how likely that extra cost could be for you.
For many people, those occasional copays are a reasonable tradeoff for a lower monthly premium. If you do not expect frequent office visits, do not mind modest copays, and are comfortable checking provider billing practices, Plan N may deliver a strong balance of coverage and cost.
Who Often Prefers Plan G?
Plan G is often a good fit for someone who wants the fewest possible surprises with Medicare-covered medical bills after meeting the Part B deductible. I often see it appeal to people who visit doctors frequently, see several specialists, are managing ongoing health needs, or simply prefer paying a higher premium in return for more predictable cost-sharing.
It can also fit someone who does not want to think about office-visit copays or whether a provider might bill a Part B excess charge. That does not mean Plan G is always the best financial choice. It means the higher premium may be worthwhile when simplicity and predictability matter most to you.
Who Often Prefers Plan N?
Plan N can be a good match for someone who wants robust Medicare Supplement protection but is willing to accept a few controlled costs to lower the monthly premium. It may appeal to a person who is generally healthy, has fewer routine appointments, or is simply comfortable paying a copay now and then.
I also talk with people who choose Plan N because they would rather keep more money in their monthly budget and take on modest cost-sharing when care happens. That is a perfectly reasonable approach—as long as the savings are meaningful and the office-visit and emergency-room copays do not create stress.
The important point is that Plan N is not “cheap Plan G,” and Plan G is not automatically “better Plan N.” They are two different budgeting styles. My job at Safe & Sound Medicare Solutions is to help you compare those styles honestly.
Compare the Whole Medicare Picture
When I help a Washington resident decide between Plan G and Plan N, I do not stop at the supplement premium. We should also review your Medicare Part B premium, Part D prescription drug plan, medications, preferred pharmacies, expected doctor visits, travel habits, and comfort level with bills that vary from month to month.
It is also helpful to remember that Washington has flexible Medicare Supplement switching protections for people already enrolled in a Medigap Plan B through N. If you are thinking about changing plans, I can help you understand the options and compare the details before making a move. Read more in Switching Medicare Supplement Plans in Washington.
FAQ
Does Plan G cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. Plan G does not cover the Part B deductible. In 2026, the annual Part B deductible is $283.
Does Plan N cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
No. Like Plan G, Plan N does not cover the Part B deductible.
What copays can I have with Plan N?
Plan N can charge up to $20 for certain office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not result in an inpatient admission.
Does Plan N cover Part B excess charges?
No. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan G does cover them.
How do I choose between Plan G and Plan N in Washington?
Start by comparing the actual monthly premium difference against the copays and protections that matter to you. Submit your information and schedule a free consultation with Charles at Safe & Sound Medicare Solutions, and I will help you compare Plan G and Plan N in a clear, no-pressure conversation.
