Medigap Plan Comparison Calculator

About the Medigap Plan Comparison Calculator

Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plans fill the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare — deductibles, coinsurance, and excess charges. Plans are standardized by letter (A through N), but the three most popular are Plans F, G, and N, which together cover over 80% of the Medigap market.

Plan F covers everything, but has the highest premiums. Plan G covers everything except the Part B deductible, saving $500–$1,000+ in annual premiums. Plan N has the lowest premium but adds small copays ($20 office visits, $50 ER) and doesn't cover Part B excess charges.

This calculator compares your total annual cost across Plans F, G, and N based on actual premiums and expected healthcare usage. These are educational estimates only — Medigap premiums vary by state, age, and insurance company.

When This Page Helps

Choosing the right Medigap plan can save hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. This calculator makes the comparison concrete by factoring in both premiums and expected out-of-pocket costs.

How to Use the Inputs

1. Enter the monthly premium for Plan F, Plan G, and Plan N in your area.
2. Enter the Part B deductible amount used in your estimate.
3. Enter your expected number of doctor visits per year.
4. Enter your expected number of ER visits per year.
5. Review the total annual cost for each plan.

Example Calculation

Tips & Best Practices

• Plan F is closed to new Medicare beneficiaries under the modern eligibility cutoff — only those eligible before that cutoff can enroll.
• Plan G is the most popular choice for new enrollees — it's identical to F minus the Part B deductible.
• Plan N is best for healthy beneficiaries with few doctor visits and low ER risk.
• Medigap Open Enrollment (first 6 months of Part B) offers guaranteed issue — no medical underwriting.
• These are educational estimates; actual premiums vary by carrier, age, zip code, and gender.
• Premiums increase annually — compare long-term premium trends between carriers.

The Plan F Premium Trap

Plan F is the only Medigap plan that covers the Part B deductible, and it is closed to new enrollees under the modern eligibility rules. This creates a shrinking, aging risk pool, causing premiums to rise faster than other plans. Many financial advisors recommend switching from Plan F to Plan G while you're still healthy enough to pass underwriting.

Plan N: The Budget-Friendly Option

Plan N's lower premiums can save $500–$1,200/year compared to Plan G, making it attractive for healthy beneficiaries. The copays ($20 per office visit, $50 per ER visit) and Part B excess charge exposure are manageable risks for most. The key question is whether your office visit frequency makes the premium savings worthwhile.

Long-Term Premium Considerations

When comparing plans, look beyond the premiums shown in your current quote set. Attained-age plans start cheap but get expensive in your 80s. Issue-age plans cost more initially but grow slower. The cheapest plan at 65 may be the most expensive at 80. Request 10-year premium histories from carriers before choosing.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between Medigap F, G, and N?

  Plan F covers all Medicare cost-sharing with zero out-of-pocket. Plan G is identical to F but doesn't cover the Part B deductible (~$240/year). Plan N doesn't cover the Part B deductible, charges up to $20 for office visits and $50 for ER visits, and doesn't cover Part B excess charges.

• Why is Plan G usually better than Plan F?

  Plan G typically has premiums $40–65/month less than Plan F, saving $480–$780/year. The only difference is the Part B deductible ($240). So you save $240–$540 net per year with Plan G. Plan F also has a smaller, aging risk pool since it's closed to new enrollees, leading to faster premium increases.

• What are Part B excess charges?

  Excess charges occur when a doctor doesn't accept Medicare assignment and bills up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount. Plans F and G cover excess charges; Plan N does not. In practice, over 98% of doctors accept assignment, making this a minor risk for most beneficiaries.

• When should I buy Medigap insurance?

  The best time is during your 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which starts when you're 65+ AND enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers must sell you any plan at the best price with no health questions. After this period, you may face medical underwriting and higher premiums or denial.

• Do Medigap premiums go up every year?

  Yes, Medigap premiums increase over time. Pricing methods vary: community-rated (same price regardless of age), issue-age-rated (based on age at purchase, increases only with inflation), and attained-age-rated (increases as you age). Community-rated and issue-age-rated plans cost more initially but less over time.

• Can I switch Medigap plans later?

  You can always switch, but outside the Open Enrollment Period, insurers can (and do) apply medical underwriting. If you have health conditions, you may be denied or charged higher premiums. A few states have guaranteed-issue rights for plan switching. Check your state's rules.