Now that you are ready to enroll in a Medsup plan I am sure you’re probably wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to Medicare Supplement Plan G.
Trust me, I get it:
However, the Plan G Medsup policy has some powerful benefits and can be full of savings from day one.
In this definitive guide I am going to go over what the Medigap Plan G is, how it works, its core benefits and how to get a Medicare Supplement Plan G.
What Is Medicare Supplement Plan G
10 standardized medicare supplement plans are available in most states and Medicare Supplement Plan G is one of them.
It is also called Medigap Plan G, or Medsup Plan G, no matter the name it is still an optional insurance product that is offered through private insurance companies.
These Medicare Supplement plans work in parallel with Medicare Part A (which is hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (which is medical insurance)
Medsup insurance plans generally help you fill the gap of coverage that is left by Original Medicare.
The states of Massachusetts, Minnesota & Wisconsin don’t actually offer the Medicare Supplement Plan G because they provide their own standard Medigap benefit plans.
- Medicare Part A hospital coinsurance
- 365 Hospital Reserve Days
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Part A deductible
- Medicare Part B preventive care coinsurance coverage
- Part B coinsurance or copayment coverage
- Part B excess charges (see below for how this works)
- First three pints of blood for a medical procedure, if the hospital has to buy blood
- Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) care coinsurance coverage
- Foreign travel emergency coverage, up to the plan limit
Medigap Plan G Costs And Availability
It is essential to understand that all of the benefits for Medicare Supplement Plan G are standardized and will be the same no matter which insurance company you purchase them from.
The only thing that isn’t standardized is going to be the price which can vary from company to company.
We can’t stress enough that you shouldn’t get caught up on a company’s name brand or familiarity when choosing to buy.
No matter which company you choose, a Plan G is a Plan G, so if you hear a company name that you might not be familiar with, but it has the lowest monthly rate, go for that plan.
Standardization Of Medicare Supplement Plan G
Since 1991, Medsup plans have been standardized, this means that you don’t have to worry about a standard Plan G being any different company to company.
Each company has to ensure that Plan G has the same:
Doctor’s Network
Unlike traditional health insurance plans, Medicare Supplement insurance companies don’t have their own network of doctors.
These plans are only a supplement to your original Medicare Part A & Part B.
This means that your actual network is the nationwide Medicare Network and since 93% of doctors still accept Medicare, you don’t have to worry if a specific company will have your doctor in their network.
If your current doctors accept Medicare, then they will take your Medicare Supplement Plan G.
Claims Process
The claims paying process for Medicare Supplement is extremely automated nowadays which makes it easier for you to use your plan.
When you get medical services from your doctor, they will submit your claim directly to Original Medicare.
Once Original Medicare has paid its part of the claim, they automatically send the remainder to your Medsup insurance company, and your Medsup company then pays your doctor what’s remaining on the bill.
The best thing about this process is that once Original Medicare accepts your claim, your Medicare Supplement company has to pay their portion; deciding not to pay their portion is not an option.
This means you don’t have to worry about how any Medsup company will process your claims, they all work the same way.
As we stated above, it really comes down to which company will give you the best rate when you are searching for a Medicare Plan G.
Is Medsup Plan G Right For Me
Plan-G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare Supplement plans on the market, and if the plan is right for you will depend on a few factors:
Are You Currently In A Plan F
If you have been in a Plan F for a few years, it might benefit you to get a few quotes and try to apply for a Plan G. We recommend this because you are getting an Annual Increase to your premiums and are probably missing out on huge savings with a Plan G.It doesn’t cost you anything to get a quote, nor does it cost you to apply for coverage.
Monthly Budget
How much you can afford on a monthly basis will also be a factor because the Plan G is one of the most extensive plans, it isn’t going to be the most affordable option. You should only purchase a plan that you can comfortably afford on a monthly basis, feel free to check out our medsup rates by age.
Expected Expenses
Considering your monthly budget is essential for determining how much premium you can afford, but you also have to consider what your out of pocket expenses could be based on your current medical conditions. Sometimes purchasing a plan without the best benefits can cost you much more in the long run than paying a bit more in monthly premiums.
Current Health Conditions
If you have a substantial amount of health conditions, the Plan-G is going to be the best plan for you, especially if you go to the doctor several times a year. You need to be aware of how you will need to use this policy based on your total health before you decide to go with a cheaper alternative.
Medicare Supplement Plan G Rates
Below are some sample Male & Female rates for the Medigap Plan G.
- Male
- Female
Check out these sample rates for Plan G.
| Age | Plan g |
|---|---|
| 65 Years Old | $131.00 |
| 66 Years Old | $131.00 |
| 67 Years Old | $131.00 |
| 68 Years Old | $131.00 |
| 69 Years Old | $135.00 |
| Age | Plan g |
|---|---|
| 70 Years Old | $140.00 |
| 71 Years Old | $144.00 |
| 72 Years Old | $150.00 |
| 73 Years Old | $156.00 |
| 74 Years Old | $162.00 |
| 75 Years Old | $168.00 |
Sample Quotes: Male – Non-Tobacco – Living in Hagerstown, MD
Check out these sample rates for Plan G.
| Age | Plan g |
|---|---|
| 65 Years Old | $119.00 |
| 66 Years Old | $119.00 |
| 67 Years Old | $119.00 |
| 68 Years Old | $122.00 |
| 69 Years Old | $126.00 |
| Age | Plan g |
|---|---|
| 70 Years Old | $130.00 |
| 71 Years Old | $134.00 |
| 72 Years Old | $138.00 |
| 73 Years Old | $142.00 |
| 74 Years Old | $146.00 |
| 75 Years Old | $150.00 |
Sample Quotes: Female – Non-Tobacco – Living in Hagerstown, MD
Medical Services That Plan-G Will Cover
A Medsup Plan-G will cover any medical benefit that Original Medicare covers, Medicare pays first, then Plan G pays the remainder after your annual deductible.
So, it will cover:
- surgeries
- Blood Transfusions
- skilled nursing
- hospice care
- doctor visits
- diabetic supplies
- durable medical equipment
- x-rays
- ambulance
- Up to $50,000 in foreign travel emergency benefits
The list of benefits aren’t limited to just what’s above but we thought that would give you a good idea about the things that the Medigap Plan G would cover.
Medigap Plan G | Small Deductible & Big Savings
There are a few things that make Medicare Plan G, also called Medsup Plan G, more and more popular:
Great Benefits
Plan G is going to cover all of your hospital expenses as well as the $1,600 deductible that you would typically owe for any hospital stay in 2023.
When it comes to outpatient care, Medsup Plan G covers all but the first $226 in expenses, which is the Part B deductible.
You will be responsible for the deductible at your first outpatient care visit for the year.
After that, Medicare Supplement G covers all the remaining expenses.
Medicare will pay 80% of your outpatient costs, and your Medsup plan will pay the other 20%.
Extensive Coverage
Plan G covers all of the gaps in Medicare except for the Part B annual deductible, which is only $226 in 2023.
Since we will shop your rates, we are generally able to find a Plan G that will save you a good amount in monthly premiums over a Plan F.
We have an example below of how the savings would work going from a Plan F to a Plan G:
| Plan | Premium | Part B Deductible | Total Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan G | $130.00/month | $226/year | $1,786.00 |
| Plan F | $168/month | Included | $2,016.00 |
| Total Plan G Savings = $230.00 Per Year or approximately $20.00 Per Month | |||
This is just a general example, but just imagine how much your life would change if you were able to keep an extra $30 to $50 of your money every month.
Jeremy Ryan, an Independent Advisor of Diversified Senior Services says that “G is a great deal due to the price compared to plan F. Usually $30+ cheaper a month!”
Medsup Plan G & Part B Excess Charges
One thing we like most about the Medicare Supplement Plan G is that it covers your Medicare Part B excess charges which most Medigap plans don’t include.These excess charges are additional expenses that you might be responsible for beyond what original Medicare will cover in regards to your health care.Some Doctors won’t accept the Medicare-approved Payment rate as the full payment, and that’s mainly where these excess charges come from.Don’t worry though because providers that don’t accept the payment assignment schedule can only charge up to 15% in excess charges above the Medicare-approved amount.This benefit alone can save you thousands of dollars in expenses annually if you are in a situation where you get Part B Excess charges.
Additional Medicare Supplement Plan G Advice
Below is some additional advice you should consider in regards to Medigap Plan G.
A Medicare Supplement Plan G Won’t Cover
While a Medsup plan is full of benefits and things it will cover, there are some things that won’t be covered by a Medsup plan.
- Prescription Drugs
- Long Term Care
- Vision / Eyeglasses
- Dental
- Hearing
- Private Nursing
Keep in mind that before January of 2006 Medsup plans covered prescriptions; however, that is no longer the case.
It is possible that some people have been grandfathered into a plan that has that coverage, but no new Medigap plans will have those benefits.
If you decide to get coverage through At senior benefits we will assist you with getting a dental plan.
We will make sure all of your prescriptions are covered and help you select a plan that fits your needs.
You Pay Your Part B Annual Deductible
Plan G is going to require you to cover your Medicare Part B Annual deductible, which is $226.00 for 2023.
This will need to be paid for any outpatient services first before Original Medicare, or Your Medicare Supplement Plan will start paying for some covered services.
The outpatient services include:
- doctor visits
- diagnostic lab and radiology
- therapies
- durable medical equipment (DME)
- Medicare-covered medical supplies
After you pay the Part B deductible, Medicare Supplement Plan G will cover any other treatments or expenses for outpatient services covered by Original Medicare.
Original Medicare typically pays 80% of your outpatient costs and your Plan G Medicare Supplement may pay the other 20%.
Preventative Services Are Covered
Original Medicare Part B covers 100% of certain preventative care services which means that you generally won’t need to pay your Part B annual deductible before you receive benefits for things like:
- a yearly flu shot
- certain preventive cancer screenings
- your annual wellness visit with your doctor
Be sure to take advantage of your Welcome to Medicare physical exam, it’s a one-time, preventive physical exam Medicare covers within the first 12 months that you have Medicare
Don’t Wait To Enroll
Usually, the best time to buy a Medicare supplement plan is during your initial enrollment period which starts on the month you turn 65.
During this time frame, no insurance company can deny you coverage or increase your rates because of pre-existing health conditions.
However, once this period passes, the gloves come off, and these companies can either decline you for a supplement plan, not cover pre-existing conditions or charge you more for the same coverage.
You don’t have to wait, and we can easily walk you through the steps by calling us at or filling out our form below.
Can I Have Plan G And Medicare Advantage
The only answer is a resounding No!
If you have Medicare Advantage, also known as Original Medicare Part C, then you can’t get a Medicare Supplement plan.
However, you can un-enroll from any Medicare Advantage plan and apply for a Medsup policy if you think it will better suit your needs.
Don’t forget that if you wait too long and decide later that you would like to switch to a Medsup plan, you might have to go through medical underwriting.
If you leave your Medsup plan and go to a Medicare Advantage plan, you might not be able to get approved for the Medsup plan at a later date.
Medicare Plan G Vs Medigap Plan F
Below we layout the main differences between a Plan G & a Medigap Plan F, note that the only difference is that the Plan G doesn’t cover the Annual Original Medicare Part B Deductible.
Other than that one thing the plans are identical.
| BENEFITS | PLAN G | PLAN F |
|---|---|---|
| Part A HospitalCo-Insurance | YES | YES |
| 365 Hospital Reserve Days | YES | YES |
| Part B Co-Insurance /Co-Payment | YES | YES |
| Blood Benefit(First 3 Pints) | YES | YES |
| HospiceCo-Insurance /Co-Payment | YES | YES |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Co-Insurance | YES | YES |
| Part A Deductible | YES | YES |
| Part B Deductible | NO | YES |
| Part BExcess Charge | YES | YES |
| ForeignTravel Benefit | 80% | 80% |
| Out Of Pocket Limit | N/A | N/A |
Plan G vs Plan F Short Case Study
Short Case Study Provided From Sean Senseman of Medicareaboutyou.com_________________________________________
“For one of my clients, the lowest priced Plan G was $88.00/mo. The lowest price Plan F was $125.31. This means that over the course of 12 months they would spend an additional $447.72 to carry Medicare Supplement plan F. So, they would spend an additional $447.72 to possibly save $183. On the flip side if they choose Plan G they could save as much as $447.72, or if they used their deductible they would still save $264.72. ($447.72 savings – $183 deductible)
So, which is better? Plan F or Plan G?
A majority of the time Plan G will be the better bet for overall cost. You’ll have to compare the pricing of both. If plan G is at least $15.25 per month less, then you’ll save $183 a year which is equivalent to most of your Part B deductible.”
Medicare Part G Vs Medsup Plan N
We put together a quick summary of the difference in the Medicare Supplement Plan N & Plan G.
Plan N will not cover the Part B Excess Charge, nor will it cover the Part B Annual Deductible.
Plan N will be more affordable but is probably best for people who don’t have to visit the doctor often.
| BENEFITS | PLAN N | PLAN G |
|---|---|---|
| Part A HospitalCo-Insurance | YES | YES |
| 365 Hospital Reserve Days | YES | YES |
| Part B Co-Insurance /Co-Payment | YES | YES |
| Blood Benefit(First 3 Pints) | YES | YES |
| HospiceCo-Insurance /Co-Payment | YES | YES |
| Skilled Nursing Facility Co-Insurance | YES | YES |
| Part A Deductible | YES | YES |
| Part B Deductible | NO | NO |
| Part BExcess Charge | NO | YES |
| ForeignTravel Benefit | 80% | 80% |
| Out Of Pocket Limit | N/A | N/A |
Taking Action
If you are looking to get a much lower medicare supplement rate and have been struggling with which option to get, then medicare supplement plan g is probably going to be your best option.
Eventually the Plan F is going to be phased out for purchase in the next coming years and I think it is best to get a policy that you won’t have to keep changing as you get older.
If you are still unsure or, if you are ready to move forward, you can give us a call at 1.800.924.4727 or get a free rate comparison below.
When it comes to cost and savings, Plan-G will not let you down.