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Medicare Supplement Plan G (commonly known as Medigap Plan G) is often promoted as the most comprehensive Medigap option available to individuals enrolling in Medicare today.
It fills nearly every gap in Original Medicare, except the Part B deductible, providing valuable coverage for copays, coinsurance, and excess charges. But the crucial question for many beneficiaries is: what will it cost, and is it truly worth the expense?
How much does Plan G cost?
The monthly premiums for Plan G are highly variable. On the low end, some insurers quote as little as $80-$120 per month.
However, pricing can escalate significantly depending on your location, age, gender, tobacco use, and insurer. In the Iowa market, for instance, monthly premiums for female nonsmokers during initial enrollment ranged from $97 to $438.
Broad data across states in 2023 places the national average for Plan G at around $164 monthly, with a range stretching from $140 in Washington D.C. or Hawaii to $236 in New York.
Meanwhile, an industry estimate places the typical monthly cost at $100 to $150, considered acceptable by many retirees.
Data from HealthView Services adds a real-world perspective: in 2024, the national average cost for a 65-year-old enrolling in Medigap Plan G was about $1,657 annually, approximately $138 each month.
Premiums: High deductible versus standard Plan G
One way to reduce your monthly premium trade-offs is to consider the high-deductible version of Plan G. In 2025, the deductible for this version is set at $2,870, and premiums are typically much lower.
For example, in cities like Atlanta, a standard Plan G might range between $117 to $2,805 per month, while the high-deductible option in the same city might cost only $40 to $990 per month.
This approach can suit retirees who expect minimal service usage but want comprehensive backstop coverage when needed.
Is Plan G worth the cost?
- Coverage and predictability: Plan G offers robust protection. It covers nearly all out-of-pocket Medicare costs, Part A hospital costs, coinsurance, skilled nursing facility care, hospice, excess Part B charges, and even foreign travel emergencies, after you meet the Part B deductible. The predictability of costs can offer peace of mind, especially compared to Plan N, which might have lower premiums but involves copays for doctor or ER visits.
- Shopping wisely matters: Even though Plan G benefits are standardized (so all Plan G plans offer the same coverage), insurers price them differently. As the AP cautions, there's no reason to pay more for identical coverage, or choose a lower-tier plan like Plan A if it's unexpectedly priced higher than Plan G.
- Enrollment timing is critical: Buying during the six-month Medigap open-enrollment window after turning 65 or gaining Part B helps avoid medical underwriting, and may secure better rates.
- Filling gaps and avoiding shocks: Without Medigap, Original Medicare leaves significant cost exposure, for instance, a 2021 Part A deductible of $1,632 and daily hospital copays after 60 days. Many beneficiaries find that adding Plan G protects them from financial stress during unpredictable or long-term medical events.