Medicare Plan N (2026): What It Covers, Excludes & Its Unique Costs

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Understanding Medicare Supplement Plan N

Medicare Supplement Plan N is one of eight standardized Medicare Supplement Plans available for purchase in most states (Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin have their own standardized Medigap plans). Medicare Supplement Plan N helps pay for copayments and deductibles not covered by Original Medicare Parts A and B.

What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover?

Medicare Supplement Plan N fills the majority of coverage gaps left by Original Medicare. The only gaps not covered are Medicare Part B’s deductible ($283 in 2026) and any excess charges that fall under Medicare Part B, which are above the Medicare-approved amount. This means that any time you are admitted to the hospital, your 20% coinsurance for Medicare Part B will be completely covered with Medigap Plan N.

Covered

Hospital Expenses: 100% Part A hospital expenses, including all coinsurance and deductible expenses, up to 365 days after Original Medicare benefits are exhausted.

Medical Expenses: 100% of Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments (except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits and a $50 copayment for emergency room visits not resulting in an admission).

Transfusions: Pays for the first three pints of blood you receive in a medical procedure.

Hospice Care: Pays Part A hospice care copayment or coinsurance.

Skilled Nursing: Pays facility care coinsurance.

Foreign Travel Medical Emergencies: Pays up to 80% of Original Medicare-approved emergency medical care when traveling in another country (up to plan limits).

Not Covered

Part B Deductible: The Medicare Part B deductible for 2026 is $283. After the deductible is met, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount (this is the amount a doctor or supplier that accepts assignment can be paid in Original Medicare) for most doctor services, outpatient therapy, and durable medical equipment.¹

Part B Excess Charges: Providers who don’t accept Medicare assignments may charge up to 15% more than what Original Medicare is willing to pay, known as Part B excess charges. Medicare assignment is the Medicare-approved cost for a particular medical service. Medicare assignment is accepted by Medicare-approved providers.

Prescription Drugs: Medigap Plan N does not cover prescription drugs. However, you can buy an additional Medicare Prescription Drug plan to cover prescription drug costs.

Who can benefit from this type of supplement plan?

Medicare Supplement Plan N helps cover out-of-pocket costs not covered by Original Medicare. Whether Medicare Supplement Plan N is right for you will depend on your unique circumstances and coverage needs.

Advantages of Medicare Supplement Plan N

Broad range of coverage at an affordable price
Monthly premium is less than Plan F and Plan G but offers similar coverage

Disadvantages of Medicare Supplement Plan N

Doesn’t cover your Part B deductible or Part B excess charges

Medicare Supplement Plan N Costs

Monthly premiums are set by the private insurance companies that offer Medicare Supplement Insurance plans, and the rates are based on factors such as age, health status, location, and gender. It is often in your best interest to shop around for Medicare coverage to ensure you are paying the lowest amount available to you. Companies cannot cancel your coverage unless you don’t pay the plan premium, you weren’t truthful on the application, or the Medigap insurance company becomes bankrupt or insolvent.

With Plan N, you’ll still have to pay your Medicare Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. You’ll also be responsible for copays of up to $20 per doctor visit and $50 at the emergency room if the visit doesn’t result in hospitalization.

How Pricing Works For This Plan

Pricing for Medicare Supplement Plan N varies by company. Medigap policies can be priced in three ways: community-rated, issue-age-rated, and attained-age-rated.

Community-Rated: Generally, the same monthly premium is charged to everyone who has the Medigap plan, regardless of age. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Issue-Age-Rated: The premium is based on the age you were when you bought the Medigap plan. Premiums are lowered for people who buy at a younger age and won’t change when you get older. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors, but not because of your age.
Attained-Age-Rated: The premium is based on your current age, increasing your premium as you get older. Premiums are lower when you are younger, but continually increase as you age. Premiums may also increase because of inflation or other factors.²

When to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans

When You’re First Eligible: The best time to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan is when you’re first eligible. You are eligible to purchase a Medicare Supplement policy (Medigap) on the first day of the month in which you turn 65. This marks the beginning of your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which lasts for six months.

You must already be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B. During this period, you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of any health problems. You will generally see better prices and more choices among Medigap policies during this period.

Outside Open Enrollment: While it’s often better to get coverage when you’re first eligible, you can still apply for Medigap coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period. However, if you apply for coverage after your Initial Enrollment Period, there’s no guarantee that an insurance company will sell you a policy if you don’t meet the medical underwriting requirements

FAQs About Medicare Supplement Plan N

How does Medicare Supplement Plan N compare to other plans?

Medicare Supplement Plan N is very similar to Plan F and Plan G, but can be significantly less expensive. The main difference is that your Part B deductible and Part B excess charges are covered under Plan F and Plan G.

Do Medigap plans vary by state?

Medigap plans are standardized, meaning they offer the same benefits across most of the states, except for Wisconsin Medicare Supplement Plans, Minnesota Medicare Supplement Plans, and Massachusetts Supplement Plans.

Do Medicare Supplement plans cover pre-existing conditions?

While insurance companies can’t make you wait for your coverage to start, they may make you wait for coverage for a pre-existing condition. Coverage for pre-existing conditions can be excluded if the condition was treated or diagnosed within six months before the coverage starts under the Medicare Supplement plan.

After the six-month period, the Medicare Supplement plan will cover the condition that was previously excluded. However, it is possible to avoid or shorten the waiting period for a pre-existing condition if you buy a Medicare Supplement plan during your Medigap open enrollment period to replace the “creditable coverage” Medigap plan.³

How can I lower the costs of my Medigap Plan N?

While all Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are standardized, the cost of each plan is set by each individual insurance company. This makes it important to shop around to find the price that works best for your budget. At SelectQuote, our licensed insurance agents can compare rates and coverage options in just minutes.

Compare Medicare Supplement Plans

In most states, there are eight Medicare Supplement plans to choose from, and all policies have been standardized. At SelectQuote, we can help you navigate your Medigap plan options, answering any questions you have to help you find the right plan for your needs and budget. Learn more about additional Medicare Supplement plan options below.

Sources:

¹https://www.medicare.gov/basics/costs/medicare-costs

²https://www.medicare.gov/health-drug-plans/medigap/basics/costs

³https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/when-can-i-buy-medigap

Find the Right Medicare Supplement Plan For You With SelectQuote

As your advocate, we can help you navigate your Medicare Supplement plan options, helping you understand the costs and answering any questions you may have. At SelectQuote, we’ll make sure you find a plan that meets your needs and budget.