Medicare Supplement Plan G vs. Plan N in Florida
Your Independent Medicare Broker
William Gray
Founder of The Medicare Dude · Licensed Since 1998 · Licensed in 12 States
"William was absolutely wonderful — very professional. Straightforward gave me a better Medicare policy than I have had for the last six years. Dropped my policy with a new company, same coverage, for quite a bit less!"
Edna Deri
Medicare client
The two most popular Medigap plans compared side by side — coverage differences, premium differences, and which is right for your situation in Florida.
FL License #W690237 · Agency License #L134055 · Independent — No Carrier Bias · Always Free to You
The short answer
Plan G and Plan N are both federally standardized Medicare Supplement plans. Plan G covers more — including the up to $20 office-visit copay, the up to $50 (waived if admitted) ER copay, and Part B excess charges. Plan N costs less per month. Neither plan covers the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). The right choice depends on how often you use healthcare, whether your providers accept Medicare assignment, and how you weigh premium savings against out-of-pocket predictability.
Plan G vs. Plan N: Complete Coverage Comparison
Both plans are federally standardized — every carrier must offer identical benefits for the same plan letter. Here is every coverage category, side by side.
| Coverage Category | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance & hospital costs (up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted) | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026) | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Part B deductible ($283 in 2026) | ✗ Not covered | ✗ Not covered |
| Part B coinsurance (20% of Medicare-approved amount) | ✓ Covered — no copay | ✓ Covered — up to $20 copay per visit |
| Emergency room visits | ✓ No copay | ✓ up to $50 (waived if admitted) |
| Part B excess charges | ✓ Covered | ✗ Not covered |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance (days 21–100) | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency (80%, up to plan limits) | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | ✓ Covered | ✓ Covered |
Source: CMS Medicare Supplement standardized benefit chart. Figures reflect 2026 CMS-published amounts. Highlighted cells indicate where Plan N differs from Plan G.
What Plan G and Plan N Both Cover
Plan G and Plan N share the same core coverage. Both plans fill the most significant gaps in Original Medicare.
Part A hospital deductible
$1,736 per benefit period in 2026 — covered by both plans.
Part A coinsurance
Hospital costs up to 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted.
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
Days 21–100 of a skilled nursing facility stay.
Part B coinsurance
The 20% of Medicare-approved costs after the Part B deductible — with copay differences noted above.
Foreign travel emergency
80% of emergency costs outside the U.S., up to plan limits.
Any Medicare-accepting provider
No network restrictions. Use any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare, anywhere in the country.
Plan G: Advantages and Trade-offs
Plan G is the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plan available to new Medicare beneficiaries. After you pay the Part B deductible once per year, Plan G covers everything else — no copays, no excess charge exposure.
Advantages
- Zero copays at the point of service (after Part B deductible)
- Covers Part B excess charges — up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount
- Predictable annual out-of-pocket maximum
- No network restrictions — any Medicare-accepting provider
- Ideal for frequent healthcare users
- Simplest plan to budget for
Trade-offs
- Higher monthly premium than Plan N
- Does not cover the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
- Premium savings of Plan N may outweigh the copay costs for moderate healthcare users
- Higher fixed monthly cost regardless of how much healthcare you use
Plan N: Advantages and Trade-offs
Plan N offers strong coverage at a lower monthly premium. The trade-off is small, predictable copays at the point of service and no coverage for Part B excess charges.
Advantages
- Lower monthly premium than Plan G
- Strong core coverage — covers Part A deductible, SNF coinsurance, foreign travel
- No network restrictions — any Medicare-accepting provider
- Plan G and Plan N premiums vary by insurance company, location, age, eligibility, household discounts, tobacco use, and other rating factors permitted in your state — call for a personalized comparison
- Copays are predictable and capped
- Good choice if your providers accept Medicare assignment
Trade-offs
- Up to up to $20 copay per office visit
- Up to up to $50 (waived if admitted) copay (waived if admitted)
- Does not cover Part B excess charges
- Does not cover the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026)
- Less predictable total annual cost if you use healthcare frequently
Understanding Plan N Copays
Plan N's copays are small and predictable, but they add up. Here is exactly how they work.
Office visit copay
Plan N may charge up to $20 per office visit. This applies to outpatient physician visits. The copay is not charged for every visit — only when the visit results in a charge that Medicare Part B covers.
Emergency room copay
Plan N may charge up to $50 (waived if admitted) for an emergency room visit. This copay is waived if you are admitted to the hospital as an inpatient — in that case, Plan N covers the full cost.
Break-even formula
Monthly premium difference ÷ copay per visit = break-even visits per month. For example, if Plan G costs $35 more per month than Plan N (hypothetical — your actual difference will vary by age, ZIP code, gender, and carrier) and the copay is $20, you break even at 1.75 visits per month (about 21 per year). Most people see their doctor 4–8 times per year. Your actual break-even depends on the specific premium difference for your situation — call William for a personalized comparison.
Part B Excess Charges: The Risk Plan N Does Not Cover
Part B excess charges are the one area where Plan G provides coverage that Plan N does not. Here is what they are and how to assess the risk for your situation.
When a provider does not accept Medicare assignment, they can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plan G covers this extra charge. Plan N does not — you would pay it out of pocket.
In Florida, the vast majority of physicians and specialists accept Medicare assignment. For most Plan N enrollees, excess charges are a minimal real-world risk. However, the risk is not zero — a small subset of high-demand specialists in some areas do not accept assignment.
How to check before you enroll
Ask your doctor's office: "Do you accept Medicare assignment?" A yes means you will never face excess charges from that provider, regardless of which Medigap plan you choose. Confirm with every specialist you see regularly before choosing Plan N.
Get Your Plan G and Plan N Quotes Side by Side
William pulls real-time quotes for both plans from every major carrier in your area so you can see the exact premium difference and run the break-even math for your specific situation. No obligation.
Travel and Provider Access: A Medigap Advantage
Both Plan G and Plan N share a major advantage over Medicare Advantage: no network restrictions. You can use any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare — anywhere in the country.
This matters particularly for Florida residents who travel, maintain a second home in another state, or spend extended time outside Florida. Medicare Advantage plans are network-based — outside your plan's service area, you may only be covered for emergencies. With Plan G or Plan N, your coverage travels with you.
Both plans also include foreign travel emergency coverage — 80% of emergency costs outside the United States, up to plan limits, after a deductible. This is not available with most Medicare Advantage plans.
Premium vs. Long-Term Value: Why Today's Lowest Rate Is Not the Only Consideration
The lowest premium today is not always the best value over 10 or 20 years. Two factors matter beyond the starting rate.
Rate-increase history
Carriers have different rate-increase patterns. A carrier with a lower initial premium but aggressive annual increases may cost significantly more over a decade than a carrier with a slightly higher starting premium and stable rates. An independent broker can show you rate history alongside current premiums.
Carrier financial strength
A Medicare Supplement plan is a long-term relationship. Carrier financial strength ratings — from agencies like AM Best — indicate the carrier's ability to pay claims over time. An independent broker compares financial strength alongside premiums.
Because Medigap benefits are federally standardized, the only meaningful differences between carriers are the monthly premium, rate-increase history, financial strength, and customer service. An independent broker with access to multiple carriers can compare all of these factors simultaneously — something a single-carrier agent cannot do.
Rate Increases and Carrier Stability
Medicare Supplement premiums are not fixed. Carriers file rate increases with state insurance departments, and premiums typically rise each year. The rate of increase varies significantly between carriers.
This is one of the most important factors in carrier selection — and one of the most overlooked. A carrier that enters a market with a very low introductory premium may raise rates aggressively once it has built a large block of business. A carrier with a longer track record in Florida may have more predictable rate behavior.
What to ask about rate history
Ask your broker: "What has this carrier's average annual rate increase been over the last 5 years in Florida?" An independent broker with access to multiple carriers can answer this question across all options simultaneously. A captive agent representing one carrier cannot.
Who Each Plan Is Right For
Neither plan is universally better. The right choice depends on your healthcare usage, your providers, your budget, and your tolerance for out-of-pocket variability.
Plan G may be right if you…
- See your doctor or specialists frequently (15+ times per year)
- Have a chronic condition requiring regular care
- Want zero out-of-pocket costs at the point of service
- Have providers who may not accept Medicare assignment
- Prefer complete predictability over premium savings
- Are not comfortable with any copays at the time of service
Plan N may be right if you…
- See your doctor 4–12 times per year
- Are comfortable with small, predictable copays
- Have confirmed your providers accept Medicare assignment
- Want to save on monthly premiums
- Are in good health at the time of enrollment
- Prefer lower fixed monthly costs over zero point-of-service costs
Real-World Decision Examples
These are illustrative scenarios based on common situations. They are not specific client cases. Your situation will differ — call William for a personalized analysis.
Scenario A: Healthy, moderate healthcare user
Situation: A 65-year-old in good health who sees their primary care doctor 4–6 times per year and has confirmed all their providers accept Medicare assignment.
Analysis: Plan N is likely the better value. The premium savings typically exceed the total copays paid in a year. The excess charge risk is minimal with assignment-accepting providers.
Directional recommendation: Plan N — subject to confirming provider assignment status and reviewing the specific premium difference.
Scenario B: Frequent healthcare user with multiple specialists
Situation: A 65-year-old managing a chronic condition who sees their primary care doctor monthly and visits two or three specialists regularly.
Analysis: Plan G is likely the better value. With 15+ visits per year, the copay accumulation under Plan N may approach or exceed the premium difference. The zero-copay structure also simplifies budgeting.
Directional recommendation: Plan G — subject to reviewing the specific premium difference and confirming the visit frequency.
Scenario C: Frequent traveler or part-year Florida resident
Situation: A 65-year-old who spends 4–6 months per year outside Florida and wants coverage that works anywhere.
Analysis: Both Plan G and Plan N work anywhere Medicare is accepted — no network restrictions. The travel consideration does not change the Plan G vs. Plan N analysis. The decision still comes down to healthcare usage and premium difference.
Directional recommendation: Either plan works for travel. The choice between G and N depends on healthcare usage, not geography.
Why Working with an Independent Medicare Broker Matters
Because Medigap benefits are federally standardized, the only meaningful differences between carriers are the monthly premium, rate-increase history, financial strength, and customer service. An independent broker with access to multiple carriers can compare all of these factors simultaneously.
No carrier allegiance
William Gray is an independent broker. He is not employed by any insurance carrier and has no incentive to steer you toward a particular plan or company. His only goal is to find the right plan for your situation.
Multiple carriers compared simultaneously
William represents multiple carriers. He can pull quotes for Plan G and Plan N from every major carrier available in your area at the same time — something a captive agent representing one company cannot do.
Rate history alongside current premiums
An independent broker can show you not just today's premium but how a carrier has raised rates over time in your state. This context is essential for making a decision that holds up over 10 or 20 years.
No cost to you
Medicare brokers are paid by the insurance carriers when you enroll in a plan. You pay the same premium whether you work with William or enroll directly. There is never a fee for consultations, plan comparisons, or enrollment assistance.
You reach William directly
When you call (386) 871-3858, you reach William — not a call center, not a junior agent. The person who knows your plan is the person who answers.
Plan G vs. Plan N Annual Cost Calculator
Enter the premiums you have been quoted and your estimated annual visit assumptions to see the modeled annual cost comparison. The 2026 Plan N copay maximums — up to $20 per qualifying office visit and up to $50 (waived if admitted) per qualifying ER visit — are applied automatically.
This is an educational arithmetic tool — not an insurance quote or recommendation. Not every visit necessarily results in the maximum copay.
2026 Plan N office visit copay max (CMS)
up to $20
Per qualifying outpatient physician visit
2026 Plan N ER copay max (CMS)
$50
Waived if admitted as inpatient
Use the premium from your quote — not a sample rate.
Use the premium from your quote — not a sample rate.
Outpatient physician visits that result in a Medicare Part B charge. Not every visit triggers the Plan N copay.
ER visits that do not result in inpatient admission. The copay is waived if you are admitted. Enter 0 if none expected.
Enter your quoted premiums and estimated annual visit assumptions above to see the modeled annual cost comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about choosing between Plan G and Plan N. Call (386) 871-3858 if you do not see yours here.
Still Not Sure Which Plan Is Right for You?
Call William and he will walk through your specific situation — your doctors, your health history, your budget — and give you a straight answer. No pressure, no sales tactics, no fee.
Nearly 30 years of Medicare experience. Independent — no carrier allegiance. You reach William directly.
- Independent broker — FL #W690237
- No carrier bias
- No obligation to enroll
- No fee — ever
TPMO Disclosure: We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 11 organizations that offer over 60 products in your area.
The Medicare Dude, LLC | The Gray Insurance. We are an independent insurance agency. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently, we represent 11 organizations that offer over 60 products in your area.
Medicare Supplement plan benefits are federally standardized. Premium ranges shown are illustrative only — actual premiums vary by age, gender, ZIP code, tobacco use, and carrier. Contact William Gray at (386) 871-3858 for a personalized quote. Editorial standards.