With over 14 million Americans enrolled in Medigap policies, choosing the right plan matters more than most people realize. If you have been researching your options, you have probably asked: what does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover? The short answer is that Plan N covers most of the gaps in Original Medicare, but it does so at a lower premium than the more comprehensive Plan G by requiring small copays at the point of service. Understanding these tradeoffs can save you hundreds of dollars a year without sacrificing meaningful protection.
How Medicare Supplement Plan N Works
Plan N is a standardized Medigap policy sold by private insurance companies and regulated by federal and state law. Because it is standardized, the benefits are identical regardless of which insurer you choose. The only differences between carriers are the monthly premium, customer service quality, and any household or non-smoker discounts they offer.
Like all Medigap plans, Plan N works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Medicare pays its share first, then Plan N picks up most or all of the remaining costs. You still pay your monthly Part B premium, which is $185 per month for most beneficiaries in 2026, in addition to your Plan N premium.
What Plan N Covers
Plan N provides robust coverage for the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare leaves behind. According to Medicare.gov, Plan N covers the following benefits at 100 percent: Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to 365 additional days after Medicare benefits are exhausted, the Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment, the Part A deductible ($1,676 in 2026), skilled nursing facility care coinsurance, and the first three pints of blood each year.
For Part B services, Plan N covers 100 percent of the Part B coinsurance or copayment except for a copay of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission. Plan N also covers 80 percent of foreign travel emergency care, up to the plan limits. This broad scope of coverage is why many beneficiaries consider Plan N a strong alternative to Plan G.
What Plan N Does Not Cover
The two notable exclusions that set Plan N apart from higher-tier plans are the Part B deductible and the Part B excess charges. The Part B annual deductible is $257 in 2026, which means you pay that amount out of pocket before Plan N begins covering your Part B coinsurance. For most beneficiaries, this is a manageable annual expense.
Part B excess charges occur when a provider does not accept Medicare assignment and bills up to 15 percent above the Medicare-approved amount. According to data from CMS.gov, roughly 98 percent of physicians accept Medicare assignment, so excess charges affect a small minority of beneficiaries. If you live in a state like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, or Vermont, state law limits or prohibits excess charges entirely. You can learn more about how these charges fit into overall healthcare costs in our dedicated guide.
Plan N Copays Explained
The copay structure is what makes Plan N unique among Medigap plans. When you visit a doctor’s office, you may pay a copay of up to $20. This applies to most outpatient office visits covered under Part B. The copay does not apply to preventive services, which Original Medicare already covers at no cost to you.
The emergency room copay of up to $50 only applies when you visit the ER and are not admitted as an inpatient. If you are admitted, the copay is waived and Plan N covers your Part A cost-sharing as usual. In practice, many beneficiaries report that these copays are a small price to pay for premiums that can be $30 to $70 per month lower than Plan G in the same area.
Plan N Premiums and Costs
Premiums for what does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover vary based on your age, location, gender, tobacco use, and the insurance company. According to data compiled by the NAIC and state insurance departments, monthly premiums for Plan N typically range from $80 to $220 per month in 2026, depending on these factors. In contrast, Plan G premiums commonly fall between $120 and $300 per month.
Insurance companies use one of three pricing methods: community-rated (the same premium regardless of age), issue-age-rated (based on your age when you buy), or attained-age-rated (increases as you get older). Community-rated plans may start higher but remain more stable over time, while attained-age-rated plans may start lower and increase annually. Comparing quotes from multiple carriers is essential to finding the best value. Your state insurance department website typically lists all available Medigap rates.
Plan N vs Plan G: Which Is Better?
The comparison between Plan N and Medicare Supplement Plan G is one of the most common decisions beneficiaries face. Plan G covers everything Plan N covers plus the Part B excess charges, and it does not require any office visit or ER copays. However, Plan G costs more each month.
Consider the math: if your Plan G premium is $50 more per month than Plan N, that is $600 per year in additional premiums. With Plan N, you would pay the $257 Part B deductible plus occasional $20 copays. If you visit the doctor six times a year, that is $120 in copays plus the deductible, totaling around $377. In this scenario, Plan N saves you roughly $223 per year. KFF research shows that beneficiaries who are relatively healthy and see their doctors a moderate number of times per year tend to save money with Plan N.
For a broader look at how all the lettered plans stack up, visit our comparison of Medicare Supplement plans.
Who Should Consider Plan N?
Plan N is well-suited for beneficiaries who are comfortable with small, predictable copays in exchange for lower monthly premiums. If you are in good health, do not visit the doctor frequently, and live in a state that restricts excess charges, Plan N can be an excellent choice. It provides nearly the same financial protection as Plan G while keeping your fixed monthly costs lower.
Beneficiaries who travel abroad may also appreciate Plan N’s foreign travel emergency coverage, which pays 80 percent of covered services after a $250 deductible and up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. This benefit is absent from Medicare Advantage plans, making it a notable perk for those who compare Medigap to Medicare Advantage.
How to Enroll in Plan N
The best time to enroll in any Medigap plan is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts six months starting the first day of the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this window, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions. Outside of this period, you may face medical underwriting, and the insurer can decline your application or charge more.
Some states, including California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, and Oregon, offer additional guaranteed-issue rights or continuous open enrollment for Medigap plans. Check with your state insurance department for the rules that apply to you. To learn about Medicare Supplement plan costs in more detail, we have a dedicated article that walks through pricing factors step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Plan N cover prescription drugs?
No. No Medigap plan sold after 2006 includes prescription drug coverage. You need a separate Medicare Part D plan for drug coverage. You cannot have both a Medigap plan and a Medicare Advantage plan at the same time, but you can pair Medigap with a standalone Part D plan.
Can I switch from Plan G to Plan N?
Yes, but outside of your initial Medigap Open Enrollment Period you will likely need to pass medical underwriting. If you are approved, you can switch at any time. Some states have special protections that allow switching without underwriting under certain conditions.
Are Plan N benefits the same with every insurance company?
Yes. Because Medigap plans are standardized by the federal government, Plan N benefits are identical regardless of the insurer. The differences are limited to premiums, customer service, and any available discounts. Minnesota, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin use alternative standardization systems, so residents of those states should check their state-specific plan structures.
Does Plan N cover telehealth visits?
Plan N covers telehealth visits the same way it covers in-person visits. If Medicare Part B covers the telehealth service, Plan N pays the coinsurance after you meet your Part B deductible. A copay of up to $20 may apply, just as it would for an in-person office visit.
Making Your Decision
Understanding what does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover comes down to recognizing its strengths: comprehensive gap coverage at a lower premium, with small copays as the tradeoff. For many beneficiaries, especially those in good health and in states that limit excess charges, Plan N strikes the right balance between cost and protection. Compare quotes from several insurance companies, review your medical history and expected usage, and consult your state’s healthcare policy guide resources before enrolling. The right plan is the one that fits both your health needs and your budget.