Plan G has become the most popular Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan in the country since Plan F closed to newly eligible beneficiaries in 2020. Industry enrollment data compiled by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) consistently show Plan G drawing more new Medigap enrollees than any other plan letter. Understanding Medicare Plan G cost matters because premiums for identical, standardized coverage can differ by well over $150 a month depending on where you live, how old you are, and which company you choose. This 2026 guide breaks down what you are likely to pay, why prices vary so much, and how to find the best rate without giving up any coverage.
Prices below are illustrative ranges drawn from public rate filings and industry reports; they vary by market and change every year. Treat them as ballpark context, not quotes. Always confirm current premiums directly with insurers or at Medicare.gov before deciding.
What Plan G Covers
Before examining costs, it helps to know exactly what you are buying, because every insurer sells the same Plan G benefits by law. Plan G covers all the gaps in Original Medicare except the Part B annual deductible, which is $283 in 2026 (verify the current amount at Medicare.gov, as it is reset each year). That means Plan G pays the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026), Part A coinsurance for hospital stays beyond 60 days plus an extra 365 lifetime reserve-type days of full coverage, skilled nursing facility coinsurance after day 20, the Part B coinsurance (the roughly 20 percent you would otherwise owe for most outpatient care), Part B excess charges, the first three pints of blood, and 80 percent of foreign travel emergency care up to plan limits.
In practical terms, once you have met the Part B deductible, a Plan G enrollee’s out-of-pocket cost for Medicare-covered services is close to zero for the rest of the year. That predictability is the primary reason beneficiaries choose Plan G, even when the monthly premium is higher than alternatives like Plan N. For a complete overview of how all the standardized plans compare, visit our Medicare Supplement plan comparison.
Typical Plan G Premiums in 2026
Medicare Plan G cost varies significantly from person to person, but national patterns give a useful starting point. For a 65-year-old non-smoking woman, monthly premiums commonly fall somewhere in the neighborhood of $120 to $200 in many markets. For a 65-year-old non-smoking man, the comparable figure often runs a little higher. By age 75, premiums on attained-age-rated plans can be considerably higher than the age-65 rate, sometimes well over $250 a month, depending on the carrier, the state and how the plan is priced.
These are broad, hedged ranges rather than fixed prices, and they reflect the reality that Medigap premiums are not set by the government. Each private insurer files its own rates with the state, and competition varies dramatically by market. In states with many active Medigap carriers, competition tends to push premiums lower; in states with fewer options, premiums tend to run higher. The only way to know your actual price is to gather quotes for your zip code, age and tobacco status.
Factors That Affect Your Premium
Several factors determine your individual Medicare Plan G cost. Age is the most significant variable for plans using attained-age rating, which is the most common pricing method. Your premium rises each year as you get older, on top of any general rate increases the insurer applies. Gender affects pricing in most states, with men typically paying somewhat more than women for the same plan. Tobacco use can add a meaningful surcharge. Your zip code matters because healthcare costs and claims patterns vary by region.
The rating method itself is critical for long-term planning. Community-rated plans charge the same premium regardless of age, so you may pay more at 65 but avoid age-based increases later. Issue-age plans base your rate on the age you were when you bought the policy, and that starting rate never rises simply because you grow older. Attained-age plans start lower but climb as you age. Per CMS.gov and Medicare.gov guidance, understanding which method a policy uses is essential, because a plan that looks cheapest at 65 can become the most expensive by 75.
High-Deductible Plan G
There is also a High-Deductible Plan G (HDG). It provides the same underlying benefits as standard Plan G, but you pay a much lower monthly premium in exchange for meeting a substantial annual deductible before the plan begins paying. The deductible amount is set by Medicare and adjusted each year, so verify the current figure at Medicare.gov. High-Deductible Plan G can make sense for healthy beneficiaries who rarely use much care and want to minimize their fixed monthly cost, but it exposes you to a larger bill in a heavy-use year. Weigh your risk tolerance and cash reserves before choosing it.
Plan G Costs by State
Geographic variation in Plan G premiums is substantial. In several lower-cost states, a 65-year-old can often find Plan G toward the lower end of the ranges above, while in higher-cost states the same standardized coverage frequently sits at the higher end. Other states typically land in the middle. These differences reflect underlying healthcare costs, state regulatory environments, and the number of competing insurers in each market.
States with robust Medigap markets and strong consumer protections often give beneficiaries more choices and more competitive pricing. Your state department of insurance usually publishes a rate comparison guide or tool that lists available Medigap plans and their premiums, which is one of the most reliable places to check current numbers. For state-specific details, see our articles on Medicare Supplement plans in Colorado, Kansas, and Delaware.
How Plan G Compares to Other Plans
Plan G is not the cheapest Medigap plan, but it offers the most comprehensive coverage available to people newly eligible for Medicare. Plan N, which requires small copays for some office and emergency-room visits and does not cover Part B excess charges, typically costs less per month than Plan G from the same carrier. That premium savings has to be weighed against the copays and the Part B excess charges you might absorb with Plan N.
Plan F, which covers the Part B deductible that Plan G does not, remains available only to those who became eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020; it is closed to anyone first eligible on or after that date. Because no new members can enter the Plan F risk pool, its premiums tend to drift higher over time relative to Plan G. That closed-pool dynamic is a major reason many advisors now favor Plan G for people who have the choice. Our Medicare Supplement plan cost guide provides detailed comparisons across all plan letters.
Medigap Open Enrollment and Guaranteed Issue
The single most important factor in what you pay may be when you buy. Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is a one-time, six-month window that starts the month you are 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this window you have a guaranteed-issue right: an insurer cannot refuse you, cannot make you wait for coverage of pre-existing conditions in most cases, and cannot charge you more because of your health. Outside this window (and outside certain limited guaranteed-issue situations), you can usually be medically underwritten, which means a health condition could raise your rate or lead to a denial. Buying during Open Enrollment locks in access to the best available rates.
How to Find the Lowest Plan G Rates
Because Plan G benefits are standardized, the only reason to pay more with one insurer than another is brand preference or service quality — the coverage itself is identical. To find the lowest rate, start with your state department of insurance rate guide and the Medigap plan finder at Medicare.gov, which lists plans and estimated premiums by zip code.
Request quotes from at least five to seven insurers. Look for household discounts for married couples living together, non-smoker discounts, and electronic-payment discounts, all of which can lower your premium. Nationally recognized carriers frequently offer competitive Plan G rates, but the cheapest option genuinely varies by state, so compare rather than assuming a familiar brand is cheapest. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or your free State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for unbiased help.
Annual Rate Increases
Every Medigap plan experiences rate increases over time, reflecting rising healthcare costs, changes in the insured population, and inflation. Historically, average annual Medigap increases have tended to land in the low-to-high single digits per year, though individual carriers have posted larger jumps in some years. Past patterns do not guarantee future increases.
Choosing a financially stable insurer with a history of moderate rate increases is just as important as finding the lowest starting premium. A company that offers a low introductory rate but raises premiums aggressively can cost more over time than a slightly pricier carrier with steadier pricing. AM Best financial-strength ratings and your state insurance department’s complaint data can help you gauge a carrier’s reliability. Understanding these long-term dynamics is part of making an informed healthcare policy decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Plan G worth the cost?
For beneficiaries who want maximum coverage and minimal out-of-pocket surprises, Plan G is widely considered the strongest value among currently available Medigap plans. Beyond your premium, your main annual cost is the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). For people with significant or unpredictable healthcare needs, that predictability often justifies the higher monthly premium compared with Plan N.
Can I lower my Plan G premium over time?
You can switch to a different insurer offering a lower rate for the same Plan G, but outside your Open Enrollment Period or a guaranteed-issue situation you will usually have to pass medical underwriting. Some states offer “birthday rules” or annual windows that let you switch without underwriting. Contact your state department of insurance to check your options.
Does Plan G cover prescription drugs?
No. Medigap plans, including Plan G, do not include prescription drug coverage. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan, which you can pair with Plan G. Enrolling in Part D when you are first eligible helps you avoid a late-enrollment penalty that can permanently raise your Part D premium.
Why do Plan G costs vary so much between companies?
Each insurer sets its own rates based on its claims experience, administrative costs, profit margin, and competitive strategy. Because the benefits are identical across all carriers, the price variation comes entirely from the business side — which is why shopping around is one of the most effective ways to save on Medicare Plan G cost.
Is the Part B deductible really the only gap Plan G leaves?
For Medicare-covered services, yes. Standard Plan G covers everything Plan F covers except the annual Part B deductible. Keep in mind Plan G does not pay for things Medicare itself excludes, such as most routine dental, vision, hearing and long-term custodial care.
Making a Cost-Effective Choice
The Medicare Plan G cost you pay depends on decisions you make at enrollment and revisit over time. Enroll during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period to guarantee acceptance at the best rates. Compare quotes from multiple carriers using Medicare.gov and your state insurance department tools. Choose an insurer with competitive pricing, strong financial ratings, and a record of moderate increases, and decide whether standard Plan G or High-Deductible Plan G fits your budget and risk tolerance. Revisit your rate every few years to make sure you are still getting a fair deal. With smart shopping, Plan G’s comprehensive coverage can fit comfortably into most retirement budgets. For more on all your options, explore our dedicated resource on Medigap plans.
TL;DR: Plan G is the most comprehensive Medigap plan open to newly eligible beneficiaries and covers every Original Medicare gap except the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026). Premiums are set by private insurers and vary widely by state, age, gender, tobacco use and rating method, so the ranges here are illustrative only — get real quotes. Buy during your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period for guaranteed issue, and compare several carriers for the same standardized coverage.
Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes and is not insurance or financial advice. Premiums, deductibles and rules change; verify all figures at Medicare.gov, with your state department of insurance, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) before making a decision.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Medicare costs, Part A and Part B deductibles for 2026, and Medigap (Medicare Supplement Insurance) basics
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS.gov) — Medigap rating methods and enrollment guidance
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — Medigap enrollment and experience data
- State departments of insurance — Medigap rate filings and premium comparison guides
- AM Best — insurer financial-strength ratings