Medigap Plan G: A Small Deductible = Big Savings. Medicare Plan G, also called Medigap Plan G, is an increasingly popular Supplement for several reasons. First, Plan G covers each of the gaps in Medicare except for the annual Part B deductible. This deductible is only $233 in 2022.
In 2022, some states also offer a high-deductible Plan G, which provides the same benefits, after a deductible of $2,490 is paid.
Plan G covers nearly all out-of-pocket costs for services and treatment once you pay the Medicare Part B $233 deductible. This means you pay no copays or coinsurance.
Medigap supplemental insurance covers the cost of Original Medicare deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. It may also cover a range of services excluded from Original Medicare coverage. Medigap Plan G is also available in some states as a high-deductible plan.
Effective January 1, 2022, the annual deductible amount for these three plans is $2,490. The deductible amount for the high deductible version of plans G, F and J represents the annual out-of-pocket expenses (excluding premiums) that a beneficiary must pay before these policies begin paying benefits.
Effective January 1, 2021, the annual deductible amount for these three plans is $2,370. The deductible amount for the high deductible version of plans G, F and J represents the annual out-of-pocket expenses (excluding premiums) that a beneficiary must pay before these policies begin paying benefits.
How do high-deductible Medigap plans work? Medicare Parts A and B pay 80% of covered costs. Full Medigap Plans F and G pay the remaining 20%, so you don't have to pay out of pocket. High-deductible Medigap Plans F and G don't pay anything until you've reached your deductible, $2,490 in 2022.
Understanding your health-care costs with Medicare Plan G
Paying an extra $125 a month (or more) in Medicare premiums can seem like a lot, but you get completely predictable health care costs in return. Your costs are also evenly spread over the course of the year in the form of monthly premiums.
Plan G will typically have higher premiums than Plan N because it includes more coverage. But it could save you money because out-of-pocket costs with Plan N may equal or exceed the premium difference with Plan G, depending on your specific medical needs. Costs of Medigap policies vary by state and carrier.
Cost is generally the only difference between Medigap policies of the same letter, as the insurance companies may charge different rates for these plans.
AARP also offers a high-deductible version of Plan G. This option will require you to pay a deductible of $2,340 before the plan begins to assist with costs. Once you've met your deductible, the plan will pay 100% of covered costs for the remainder of the year.
Policies C and F are the most comprehensive, but they generally cost more. See the Medigap Plan Benefits Chart for a fuller explanation of what each policy covers. Please note that this information is only applicable to plans sold beginning June 1, 2010.
Summary: High Deductible Plan G is a good alternative to High Deductible Medicare Supplement Plan F, which won't be available to new beneficiaries in 2022. The plan deductible is $2,490. Once the deductible is met, you get the same coverage as a regular Plan G.
The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021.
Medicare Supplement Plan G covers your percentage of any medical benefit that Original Medicare covers, except for the outpatient deductible. So, it helps to pay for inpatient hospital costs, such as the first three pints of blood, skilled nursing facility care, and hospice care.
When it comes to coverage, Medicare Supplement Plan F will give you the most coverage since it's a first-dollar coverage plan and leaves you with zero out-of-pocket costs. However, when it comes to the monthly premium, if you think lower is better, then Medicare Supplement Plan G may be better for you.
Is Medicare Plan G better than Plan F? Medicare Plan G is not better than Plan F because Medicare Plan G covers one less benefit than Plan F. It leaves you to pay the Part B deductible, whereas Medigap Plan F covers that deductible.
Medicare Supplement plans, including Plan G, do not cover the cost of prescription medications. To tap into this coverage, you'll need to add a Medicare Part D prescription drug policy to your Original Medicare plan.
Medigap plans are administered by private insurance companies that Medicare later reimburses. This causes policy prices to vary widely. Two insurers may charge very different premiums for the exact same coverage. The more comprehensive the medical coverage is, the higher the premium may be.
Plan G HDHP has the same coverage as Plan G, but the beneficiary must pay a $2,490 (2022) deductible –which includes the Medicare Part B deductible – before the plan begins to pay. The appeal of the Plan G HDHP is the monthly premium is generally lower.
Similarly, Plan G has no out-of-pocket limit to protect you from spending too much on covered health care in a year. If you are interested in an out-of-pocket limit, consider Plan K or Plan L. Plan G is most similar in coverage to Plan F.
This costs Medicare, and thus the federal government, money. By discontinuing these two plans, Congress hopes beneficiaries will be a bit more choosy about seeking healthcare for minor ailments. So as of Jan. 1, 2020, these plans are being phased out for new enrollees.
Medigap Plans F and G are the most popular Medicare Supplement plans in 2021.
This is where the differences between Plan G and N start. Plan G covers 100% of all Medicare-covered expenses once your Part B deductible has been met for the year. Medicare Plan N coverage, on the other hand, has a few additional out-of-pocket expenses you will have to pay, which we'll cover next.