As you may have already noticed, we are starting to see market trends concerning annual premium increases that warrant a conversation about your supplement choices. For many years, a very popular plan has been the Plan G.
There is another supplemental plan, called a Plan N, that is worth considering. For you to be able to make this change, you’d be required to pass health underwriting questions. If you are healthy enough to do so, moving to a Plan N could save you money now, and help position yourself better for the future of supplemental premium increases.
Medicare Supplement Plan G and Plan N are very similar, yet have a few differences that are important to understand.
Medicare Supplement Plan G vs Plan N
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
| Part A Hospital Insurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part B Coinsurance / Copayment | Covered | Covered (copays up to $20 per office visit & copay up to $50 for ER) |
| Blood (First 3 Pints) | Covered | Covered |
| Part A Hospice Coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance | Covered | Covered |
| Part A Deductible | Covered | Covered |
| Part B Deductible (2025 = $257) | Not Covered | Not Covered |
| Part B Excess Charges | Covered | Not Covered |
| Foreign Travel Emergency (up to plan limits) | Covered | Covered |
| Monthly Premium | Higher | Lower (typically $30-40 per month minimum) |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs | Minimal (only Part B deductible) | Part B deductible + small copays + excess charges |
Understanding Copays (Plan N)
Typically charged by PCP for routine evaluations or diagnostic visits. For Specialists, Physical Therapy and Chiropractic, the copay doesn’t apply.
Understanding Part B Excess Charges (Plan N)
- Occur when a provider does not accept Medicare assignment and charges up to 15% above the Medicare-approved amount.
- About 97% of providers nationwide accept Medicare assignment and do not charge excess fees.
- Most common among specialists and in private practices in certain states.
- If you frequently visit providers who accept Medicare assignment, excess charges may not be a major concern.
Additional Statistics
- The average Medicare Part B excess charge ranges from $15 to $50 per service.
- Only about 1% of all Medicare Part B claims include an excess charge.
- Patients who do incur excess charges typically do so from a small number of high-cost specialists.
How to check if your provider accepts Medicare Assignment
- You can verify if providers take Medicare assignment by using the “Find Care Providers” tool at www.medicare.gov.
- Doctors who don’t take Medicare assignment are required to post a notice somewhere in their office.
- If you’re unsure, simply call your provider’s office and ask if they accept Medicare assignment.
If you are interested in possibly making this plan change, and believe you’d pass the health underwriting, please reach out to us to schedule a time to discuss your options! You can contact your agent directly or our SBS office as well.
1-800-627-2768
Not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. This is a solicitation for insurance, by responding to this ad, you may be contacted by a licensed agent to discuss Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, and Prescription Drug Plans.