Supplement basics
Plan G, Plan N and High Deductible Plan G compared
Most people who ask us about a Medicare Supplement in St. Mary's County end up comparing the same three plans. Here is what each one pays in 2026, where each one leaves you on the hook, and what to think about before you choose.
Start with the shared rule
Every standardized Supplement plan with the same letter gives the same benefits, no matter which company sells it. Plan G from one carrier covers what Plan G from another carrier covers. Because of that, comparing plans comes down to two questions: which letter fits you, and which company charges the least for that letter over time. We take the second question on our pricing page.
Side by side, 2026
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N | High Deductible G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period) | Covered | Covered | Covered after plan deductible |
| Part A coinsurance and extra hospital days | Covered | Covered | Covered after plan deductible |
| Part B coinsurance or copay | Covered | Covered, with copays up to $20 (some office visits) and $50 (emergency room, not admitted) | Covered after plan deductible |
| Part B deductible ($283) | You pay | You pay | Counts toward the plan deductible |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | You pay | Covered after plan deductible |
| Skilled nursing and hospice coinsurance | Covered | Covered | Covered after plan deductible |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80%, up to plan limits | 80%, up to plan limits | 80% after plan deductible, up to plan limits |
| Plan deductible before the plan pays | None | None | Up to $2,950 in 2026 |
Figures are for 2026 and come from Medicare.gov. Medicare has not yet announced every 2027 figure, so we will update this page when it does. Rates can change without notice.
Plan G in plain words
Plan G is the plan people describe as "no surprises." After you pay the Part B deductible each year ($283 in 2026), it covers the coinsurance and the rest of the Medicare-covered costs listed in the table. It also covers Part B excess charges, which are the amounts some providers bill above Medicare's approved amount when they do not accept it in full.
The tradeoff is the monthly premium. Plan G usually costs more each month than Plan N because it covers more. Households that want steady, predictable costs and see doctors fairly often tend to look at it closely.
Plan N in plain words
Plan N covers Part B coinsurance but not everything. You pay a copay of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not end in a hospital admission. You also pay any Part B excess charges. In exchange, the premium is often lower than Plan G.
A fair question is how many office visits you expect in a year. If you see a primary care doctor and a couple of specialists, copays add up in a way you can estimate. If you rarely go, Plan N can leave you with very little out of pocket for the year. We say "can" on purpose: results vary by person, and we do not promise savings.
High Deductible Plan G in plain words
High Deductible Plan G works like Plan G after you have paid a yearly deductible, which is up to $2,950 in 2026. Until you reach it, you pay Medicare-covered costs yourself, and what you pay toward coinsurance, copays and the Part B deductible counts toward that deductible. The premium is generally lower, which suits people who are comfortable setting money aside and who want protection from a very large bill. It carries more risk in a year with a lot of care.
High Deductible Plan G is not offered in every state. We confirm that it is available to you and which companies sell it before we recommend you look at it.
What a hospital stay looks like under each plan
Say you are admitted to MedStar St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown. Original Medicare alone would ask for the Part A deductible of $1,736 for that benefit period. Plan G and Plan N cover it. High Deductible Plan G asks you to meet your plan deductible first. Doctors' bills during the stay fall under Part B, where the differences between the three plans start to show.
This is an illustration of how the pieces fit, not a prediction of anyone's costs. Your real costs depend on the care, the providers and the plan details. Read about local facilities on our local care page.
A short list of questions to ask yourself
- Would I rather pay a higher premium for fewer bills, or a lower premium and handle copays?
- How many doctor visits did I have last year, and what do I expect next year?
- Could I comfortably pay $2,950 in a bad year, if I chose a high deductible?
- Am I still working or have retiree or TRICARE coverage that changes the picture?
- Where am I in my enrollment window, and does that limit my choices? See our enrollment window guide.
Common questions
Is Plan G or Plan N a better choice?
Neither is better for everyone. Plan G leaves you with the yearly Part B deductible and little else. Plan N usually costs less each month but asks for small copays and does not cover Part B excess charges. The right fit depends on how often you use care and how you like to budget.
Can I still buy Plan F or Plan C?
Plans C and F can only be bought by people who were first eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020. Most people newly eligible today choose among the other plans, such as G and N.
Does the Part B deductible count toward the High Deductible Plan G deductible?
The plan deductible applies to Medicare-covered costs you pay, including coinsurance, copays and deductibles. It is up to $2,950 in 2026. Once you meet it, the plan pays like Plan G for the rest of the year. Check the details with us before you decide.
Want the three plans priced for you?
Share your age, ZIP code and a few details, and we will line up quotes from several companies, side by side. Our help is free to you. Call (410) 896-1212 and ask for a plan walk-through.