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Medigap Cost Comparison: Plan G vs. Plan N
Plan N's premium looks cheaper — but is it, once the copays land? Put both plans side by side with your real premiums and your real doctor habits, using 2026 figures.
Your premiums & doctor habits
The premiums below are examples — every carrier prices differently by age and county. Grab real quotes from us in one call: 208-350-9933.
Plan N's copays are "up to" amounts — some visits cost less. Plan N also doesn't cover Part B excess charges, which are possible but uncommon in Idaho. All 2026 figures per CMS.
This calculator provides rough educational estimates only — it is not a quote, a recommendation, or financial advice. Actual premiums, penalties, and costs depend on your situation, carrier, and plan year. For a real comparison, call us at 208-350-9933.
How This Estimate Works
The math is deliberately simple. For Plan G: your monthly premium × 12, plus the $283 Part B deductible everyone pays for the 2026 plan year (per CMS). After that, Plan G covers essentially every Medicare-approved gap. For Plan N: premium × 12, plus the same $283 deductible, plus up to $20 per doctor office visit and up to $50 per ER visit (waived if you're admitted). We multiply your expected visits by those maximum copays, so the Plan N estimate leans conservative — real years often come in a little cheaper.
What the calculator can't know is your actual premium, and that's the whole ballgame. Carriers price Plan G and Plan N differently by age, county, and year — and the gap between them is what makes N a bargain or a wash. The premiums here are just placeholders. Grab real quotes from us in one call and the comparison becomes real: 208-350-9933.
Want the fuller picture first? Our Medicare Supplement page explains how Medigap works with Original Medicare, and our Plan G vs. Plan N deep-dive covers Idaho's unique birthday rule for switching. If income or timing is your bigger question, try the IRMAA calculator or the Medicare penalty calculator next.
Questions we hear a lot
Plan G vs. Plan N FAQ
What's the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Both cover the big hospital and doctor gaps in Original Medicare. Plan G covers essentially everything after you pay the annual Part B deductible ($283 for the 2026 plan year, per CMS). Plan N trades a lower premium for small cost-sharing: copays of up to $20 for office visits and up to $50 for ER visits, and it doesn't cover Part B excess charges.
What are Part B excess charges?
A doctor who doesn't accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment can charge up to 15% more — that's an excess charge. Plan G covers them; Plan N doesn't. In practice they're possible but uncommon in Idaho, since the large majority of providers accept Medicare assignment — still, it's worth asking your doctors before choosing Plan N.
Is Plan N always cheaper than Plan G?
No — it depends on the premium gap and how often you use care. If Plan N's premium is much lower, a handful of $20 copays won't erase the savings. If the premium gap is small and you see doctors often, Plan G can win. That's exactly what this calculator shows — and real quotes change the math, so call us for current Idaho premiums.
Can I switch between Plan G and Plan N in Idaho?
Often, yes. Idaho's Medigap birthday rule (in place since March 2022) gives you a roughly 63-day window around your birthday each year to switch to a plan with equal or lesser benefits without medical underwriting. Moving from Plan G to Plan N generally qualifies; going the other direction may require health questions.
Do Plan G and Plan N cover the Part B deductible?
No — plans sold to people newly eligible for Medicare after January 1, 2020 can't cover it. With either plan you pay the annual Part B deductible yourself ($283 for the 2026 plan year, per CMS) before Medicare's coverage kicks in. That's why this calculator adds $283 to both plans' annual totals.
Ready to Compare Real Idaho Premiums?
The calculator uses placeholder premiums — CarrieAnne uses actual ones, from multiple Idaho carriers, priced for your age and county. One call, real numbers, zero pressure.
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