Medicare Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans available today. It covers almost all out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) does not pay - except for the annual Medicare Part B deductible.

In practical terms, if you have Plan G and Original Medicare approves a service, you usually owe nothing beyond the Part B deductible. This is why Plan G is often described as “near-full coverage.”

However, this level of coverage comes with higher monthly premiums and no coverage for prescription drugs, dental, vision, or hearing. Those must be handled separately.

This question is being searched globally for three main reasons:

  1. Medicare Plan F is closed to new enrollees Since 2020, new Medicare beneficiaries cannot buy Plan F, which used to cover everything. Plan G has become the closest replacement.

  2. Rising healthcare costs As deductibles and coinsurance increase, people want predictable medical expenses instead of surprise bills.

  3. Retirees comparing Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage Many people are reassessing Medicare Advantage plans after experiencing network limits, prior authorizations, or higher out-of-pocket costs during illness.

What’s Confirmed vs. What’s Unclear

  • Plan G covers:

    • Medicare Part A deductible
    • Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
    • Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
    • Medicare Part B coinsurance (usually 20%)
    • Excess charges (up to 15% over Medicare-approved amounts)
    • Limited foreign travel emergency care

  • You must still pay the Medicare Part B deductible each year.

  • Benefits are standardized - a Plan G from any insurer provides the same medical coverage.

Unclear or Variable

  • Monthly premium cost (varies by age, location, insurer, and pricing model)
  • Future rate increases (depends on insurer and inflation)
  • Whether Plan G will remain cost-effective long term for a specific individual

What People Are Getting Wrong

Misconception 1: “Plan G covers everything.” It does not. You still pay the Part B deductible and must buy a separate Part D plan for prescriptions.

Misconception 2: “All Plan G premiums are the same.” Coverage is standardized; pricing is not. Two identical Plan G policies can differ significantly in cost.

Misconception 3: “Medicare Advantage and Plan G work the same way.” They do not. Plan G works with Original Medicare, not as a replacement.

Real-World Impact (Everyday Scenarios)

: Frequent Medical Care

A person with chronic conditions who sees multiple specialists benefits from Plan G’s predictability. Once the Part B deductible is paid, almost all Medicare-approved services are fully covered.

: Travel or Multiple Providers

Someone who travels often or wants access to any doctor nationwide who accepts Medicare finds Plan G far more flexible than most Medicare Advantage plans.

Benefits, Risks & Limitations

  • Very low out-of-pocket medical costs
  • No provider networks or referrals
  • Covers Part B excess charges
  • Strong financial predictability
  • Nationwide acceptance

Limitations

  • Higher monthly premiums
  • No prescription drug coverage
  • No dental, vision, or hearing coverage
  • Premiums tend to increase over time
  • Medical underwriting may apply if enrolling late

What to Watch Next

  • Annual premium increases from insurers
  • Changes in your health status that affect cost-effectiveness
  • Whether Medicare Advantage benefits outweigh flexibility for you personally
  • Insurer pricing methods (community-rated vs. attained-age pricing)

What You Can Ignore Safely

  • Claims that Plan G is “disappearing” - it is not
  • Fear-based marketing suggesting Plan G is mandatory
  • Minor benefit differences between insurers - coverage is identical
  • Short-term promotions that do not affect long-term value

Is Plan G better than Plan F? For new Medicare beneficiaries, Plan G is effectively the best equivalent. It often costs less in premiums than Plan F while requiring only the Part B deductible.

Is Plan G better than Medicare Advantage? Neither is universally better. Plan G favors flexibility and predictability; Medicare Advantage favors lower premiums and bundled benefits.

Can I switch to Plan G later? Possibly, but you may need to pass medical underwriting unless you qualify for a guaranteed issue period.