Why Medicare Supplement Plan G Is the Most Popular Medigap Choice in 2026
Medicare Supplement Plan G has become the most popular Medigap plan in the United States, and for good reason. It provides the most comprehensive coverage available to new Medicare beneficiaries, covering virtually all of the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare at a premium that is significantly lower than the now-closed Plan F. For beneficiaries who turned 65 after January 1, 2020, Plan F is no longer available for new enrollment, making Plan G the top-tier Medigap option. The only Original Medicare cost that Plan G does not cover is the annual Part B deductible, which is 257 dollars in 2026, a small amount relative to the comprehensive protection the plan provides against potentially unlimited Part A and Part B cost-sharing.
Plan G’s popularity is driven by a simple value proposition: for a predictable monthly premium plus the 257 dollar annual Part B deductible, you receive essentially unlimited coverage for doctor visits, hospital stays, skilled nursing care, outpatient procedures, diagnostic tests, and emergency care anywhere in the United States, with no copayments, no coinsurance, no prior authorizations, and no network restrictions. This combination of comprehensive coverage and healthcare freedom makes Plan G the clear choice for beneficiaries who prioritize peace of mind and unrestricted access to healthcare providers.
This guide provides a detailed examination of Plan G coverage, compares premiums from the top insurance companies, explains how pricing works, and helps you navigate the enrollment process to secure the best rate for your situation.
What Medicare Supplement Plan G Covers
Part A Coverage
Plan G covers all Part A cost-sharing amounts that a beneficiary would otherwise pay out of pocket. This includes the Part A inpatient hospital deductible of 1,676 dollars per benefit period, the Part A coinsurance of 419 dollars per day for hospital days 61 through 90, the lifetime reserve day coinsurance of 838 dollars per day for days 91 through 150, full coverage for an additional 365 days of hospitalization after all Medicare hospital benefits are exhausted, and the skilled nursing facility coinsurance of 209.50 dollars per day for days 21 through 100. The Part A coverage under Plan G is identical to Plan F and represents the most complete hospitalization protection available under any Medigap plan.
The value of this coverage becomes clear when you consider common scenarios. A single hospital stay lasting 10 days costs the beneficiary 1,676 dollars under Original Medicare alone, but zero dollars with Plan G after the Part B deductible is met. An extended hospital stay of 75 days would cost the beneficiary 1,676 dollars plus 6,285 dollars in coinsurance for days 61 through 75, totaling 7,961 dollars under Original Medicare alone, but zero dollars with Plan G. A 60-day skilled nursing facility stay would cost the beneficiary 8,380 dollars in coinsurance for days 21 through 60 under Original Medicare alone, but zero dollars with Plan G. These are not unusual scenarios for seniors with serious health conditions, and the financial protection Plan G provides is substantial.
Part B Coverage
Plan G covers the Part B coinsurance, which is 20 percent of the Medicare-approved amount for all Part B covered services, with no annual limit. This means that regardless of how much Part B medical care you receive in a year, your out-of-pocket cost for the coinsurance portion is zero. This is the benefit that often provides the greatest financial value, because the 20 percent coinsurance under Original Medicare has no annual cap. Without Plan G, a beneficiary receiving 200,000 dollars in Medicare-approved outpatient services would owe 40,000 dollars in coinsurance. With Plan G, that coinsurance is covered in full.
Plan G also covers Part B excess charges, which are the amounts that non-participating Medicare providers can charge above the Medicare-approved amount, up to 15 percent more. While most Medicare providers are participating providers who accept the Medicare-approved amount as full payment, a small percentage are non-participating and can charge up to 15 percent more. Plan G covers this excess, protecting you from unexpected additional charges when you see a non-participating provider. Plan N, the other popular Medigap plan, does not cover Part B excess charges, which is one of the key differences between the two plans.
Additional Benefits
Plan G includes coverage for the first three pints of blood per calendar year, which would otherwise be the beneficiary’s responsibility under Original Medicare. It also includes coverage for foreign travel emergency care at 80 percent of the cost after a 250 dollar annual deductible, up to a lifetime maximum of 50,000 dollars. This benefit is valuable for beneficiaries who travel outside the United States, as Original Medicare generally does not cover healthcare services received in foreign countries. The foreign travel emergency benefit covers medically necessary emergency care that begins during the first 60 days of a trip outside the United States.
Plan G Premiums: What to Expect in 2026
How Medigap Premiums Are Determined
Unlike Medicare Advantage plans where benefits and costs are set by each plan, Medigap Plan G benefits are identical regardless of which insurance company you purchase from. The coverage is standardized by federal law, meaning Plan G from one company covers exactly the same benefits as Plan G from any other company. The only difference between companies is the premium they charge and the customer service they provide. This standardization means that when shopping for Plan G, you are essentially shopping for the best price on an identical product.
Medigap premiums vary based on several factors. Your age at enrollment is one of the most significant factors, with younger enrollees receiving lower premiums. Your geographic location affects premiums because healthcare costs vary by region. Gender impacts premiums in most states, with women typically receiving slightly lower rates than men. Tobacco use status can increase premiums by 15 to 25 percent or more. The pricing method used by the insurance company also affects long-term costs. Community-rated plans charge the same premium regardless of age, issue-age-rated plans set the premium based on your age when you purchase the policy, and attained-age-rated plans increase the premium as you age. Issue-age-rated plans are generally the best long-term value because the premium increases only due to inflation and medical cost trends, not due to aging.
Average Plan G Premiums in 2026
For a 65-year-old enrolling in Plan G during their Medigap Open Enrollment Period in 2026, monthly premiums from major insurance companies typically range from 100 to 250 dollars depending on location and company. In lower-cost areas, including many rural regions and states with competitive insurance markets, premiums at the low end can be found from companies like Mutual of Omaha, Aetna, and Cigna. In higher-cost metropolitan areas and states with fewer Medigap options, premiums tend to be at the higher end of the range.
As a general reference, a 65-year-old male non-smoker enrolling in Plan G in 2026 might expect monthly premiums in the range of 120 to 180 dollars from competitive carriers in moderate-cost areas. A 65-year-old female non-smoker might expect premiums approximately 5 to 15 percent lower. A 70-year-old enrolling outside the guaranteed issue period would typically pay 20 to 40 percent more than a 65-year-old, and a 75-year-old would pay 40 to 80 percent more, depending on the company’s pricing structure and underwriting requirements.
Top Insurance Companies for Plan G
Mutual of Omaha
Mutual of Omaha is one of the largest Medigap insurers in the United States and consistently offers among the most competitive Plan G premiums in most markets. The company has an A+ rating from AM Best for financial strength, has been selling Medicare Supplement insurance for decades, and has a reputation for straightforward claims processing and responsive customer service. Mutual of Omaha uses attained-age rating in most states, which means premiums increase with age, but the starting premiums are often low enough to make the company a top choice for value-conscious enrollees.
AARP United Healthcare
AARP-branded Medigap plans are underwritten by United Healthcare and are among the most recognizable Medigap products in the market. The plans benefit from AARP’s brand recognition and United Healthcare’s extensive provider network and claims processing infrastructure. AARP Plan G premiums are generally competitive though not always the lowest in a given market. The company’s attained-age pricing and the AARP membership requirement, which costs 16 dollars per year, should be factored into the total cost comparison. United Healthcare has an A+ AM Best financial strength rating.
Blue Cross Blue Shield Affiliates
Blue Cross Blue Shield companies, which operate independently in different states, are major Medigap providers throughout the country. The BCBS brand carries significant recognition and trust among seniors, and many BCBS affiliates offer competitive Plan G premiums. One advantage of BCBS Medigap plans is the broad recognition of the brand among healthcare providers, though this is technically irrelevant for claims processing since Medigap claims are processed through Medicare’s system regardless of the insurer. BCBS affiliates vary in their pricing methods and competitiveness by state, so comparing their rates against other carriers in your specific market is essential.
Cigna, Aetna, and Other Major Carriers
Cigna and Aetna both offer competitive Plan G premiums and have strong financial ratings. Cigna uses community rating in some states, which can result in higher initial premiums but more stable long-term costs. Aetna, now part of CVS Health, offers competitive attained-age premiums in many markets. Other notable Medigap carriers include Humana, which is known primarily for Medicare Advantage but also offers competitive Medigap plans in select markets, Bankers Fidelity, which often has very competitive premiums for younger enrollees, and State Farm, which offers Medigap in select states with competitive rates and the convenience of a local agent network.
When and How to Enroll in Plan G
Medigap Open Enrollment Period
Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period is the single most important window for securing the best Plan G rate. This six-month period begins on the first day of the month in which you are both 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurance companies must sell you any Medigap policy they offer at their best available rate, regardless of your health status. They cannot deny your application, charge higher premiums based on pre-existing conditions, or impose waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. This guaranteed issue right ensures that every new Medicare beneficiary has access to Medigap coverage at standard rates.
Once your Medigap Open Enrollment Period ends, insurance companies can use medical underwriting to evaluate your application. This means they can review your health history, current medications, and existing conditions, and can deny your application or charge higher premiums based on health risk factors. Common conditions that may result in denial or higher premiums include diabetes requiring insulin, heart disease, cancer within the past few years, COPD, and kidney disease. This is why enrollment during the open enrollment period is so strongly recommended, even if you are currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan and considering a future switch.
Guaranteed Issue Rights
Outside of the Medigap Open Enrollment Period, certain situations provide guaranteed issue rights that allow you to purchase a Medigap policy without medical underwriting. These include situations where your Medicare Advantage plan leaves your service area or stops participating in Medicare, where your employer-sponsored retiree coverage ends, where you moved out of your Medigap plan’s service area, or where you were in a trial period with a Medicare Advantage plan and decide to return to Original Medicare within the first 12 months. During guaranteed issue situations, you can purchase Medigap Plan A, B, C if eligible, D, F if eligible, G, K, or L at standard rates without health screening.
Plan G vs Plan N: Is Plan G Worth the Extra Cost?
Plan N is the most common alternative to Plan G and offers slightly less coverage at a lower premium. The monthly premium for Plan N is typically 20 to 40 dollars less than Plan G from the same company. The differences are that Plan N requires a copayment of up to 20 dollars for office visits and up to 50 dollars for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission, and Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. For a healthy beneficiary with few doctor visits and no exposure to non-participating providers, Plan N can save 240 to 480 dollars per year in premiums while adding relatively small out-of-pocket costs at the point of care. However, for beneficiaries who see multiple specialists regularly, have chronic conditions requiring frequent office visits, or want the simplicity of zero out-of-pocket costs at the point of service, Plan G’s comprehensive coverage and simplicity justify the higher premium.
Conclusion: Getting the Best Value from Plan G
Medicare Supplement Plan G is the gold standard of Medigap coverage in 2026, providing comprehensive protection against the cost-sharing gaps in Original Medicare with the freedom to see any Medicare-accepting provider in the country. The key to getting the best value from Plan G is enrolling during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period to secure guaranteed issue at standard rates, comparing premiums from at least five to seven companies since the coverage is identical and only the price varies, understanding the pricing method used by each company to anticipate future premium increases, and factoring in the company’s financial strength rating and customer service reputation. With the right Plan G policy, your total annual out-of-pocket healthcare cost under Original Medicare is limited to the Part B deductible of 257 dollars plus your monthly Plan G and Part D premiums, providing a level of cost predictability and coverage certainty that is unmatched by any other Medicare coverage option.