Medicare Plan N: Coverage, Cost and How It Works

Plan N provides better coverage than most other Medicare Supplement plans. And at $111 per month on average, it's more affordable than Plans F and G but has coverage that's almost as good. It is the third-most popular Medigap option, making up 10% of all Medicare Supplement plans.

How does Plan N work?

Like other Medicare Supplement plans, Plan N pays for costs that Original Medicare doesn't. Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, lower the amount you pay for medical care.

You can buy Medigap plans, including Plan N, from health insurance companies like AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Cigna. Medigap plans with the same letter all have the same coverage, no matter the company. The best way to choose a company is to compare prices, customer service and added perks.

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What does Plan N cover?

Plan N does not cover your Medicare Part B deductible. And Plan N copays for doctor visits don't count toward the Part B deductible. Plan N does not have a separate deductible aside from the Part B deductible.

But Plan N does cover your portion of the cost for hospice care and skilled nursing facilities. If you need these services, you won't have to pay anything yourself. This is an important feature in a Medigap plan because this kind of care can be expensive.

Unlike other Medigap plans, Medicare Plan N has copays for doctor visits. You pay a $20 copay for each physician visit and a $50 copay for each emergency room visit, unless you're admitted as a patient. Most Medicare Supplement Plan N policies do not charge for visits to urgent care centers, though.

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Medicare Plan N vs. Plan G

You should get Plan N if you want lower monthly costs because the coverage is almost as good as Plan G. If you're willing to pay more each month, Plan G has slightly better coverage.

Plan N is a better choice if budget is your main concern. Plan G costs $37 more each month than Plan N. Plan G doesn't have copays, though, while Plan N does. Plan N might be better if you don't need as much medical care. But Plan G could be a better choice if you think you will go to the doctor often.

High-deductible Plan G is a low-cost alternative

There are two kinds of Plan G: standard and high-deductible. The high-deductible version requires you to meet a yearly deductible of $2,800 before the plan begins to pay.

A high-deductible Plan G costs an average of $48 per month, which is $100 per month less than a standard Plan G. The amount paid toward the plan's deductible counts toward the Part B deductible. In other words, as you meet the Plan G deductible, you're also paying toward your Part B deductible.

High-deductible Plan G can give you peace of mind that you won't have high medical bills if you suffer a bad illness or injury. If you don't need much medical care, you might not reach the $2,800 deductible or use your benefits. But if you have a catastrophic event or illness and you hit the $2,800 deductible, the plan could lower your medical bills significantly.

Like Plan N, neither the standard nor high-deductible Plan G has out-of-pocket limits. Plan G policies, like Plan N policies, also travel, picking up 80% of medical costs incurred during trips abroad.

Is Plan N or Plan G more popular?

Medigap Plan G is more popular than Plan N. Together, standard Plan G and the high-deductible version make up 32% of all Medicare Supplement plans, while Plan N accounts for 10%.

It's likely that Plan G is more popular than Plan N for two reasons. First, it offers more coverage. Second, Plan G does not have copays for doctor and ER visits like Plan N does.

While Plan N is cheaper, it can make it more difficult to figure out how much your medical costs will be. You have to pay copays for doctor and ER visits with Plan N. It's nearly impossible to predict how often you'll need medical care, so it can be hard to figure out how much the copays will cost you. If you like the security of knowing how much your medical care will cost, Plan G is a better option.

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Is Plan N the best Supplement plan for you?

Plan N is cheaper than Plan F or Plan G, and you'll have some out-of-pocket costs for medical care. However, your medical costs will be minimal, and you won't pay anything for expensive medical care such as hospital stays.

There are multiple factors to consider when choosing the best plan for you.

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Medicare Supplement Plan N reviews

Plan N is available from three of the top Medicare Supplement companies: Aetna, Cigna and AARP/UnitedHealthcare. Among these providers, you'll save an average of $31 per month by choosing Plan N over Plan G.

Costs for Medicare Supplement plans vary by age, location and other factors.

Remember that all companies offer the same medical coverage for each Medigap policy. However, providers have different rates, customer service and add-on benefits.

Medigap Plan N and Plan G costs

Cigna Medicare Supplement

Cigna sells Medicare Supplement plans in 48 states, and Plan N is available in 46 states. Cigna has a low average rate for Plan N, and the company also offers added value with a rewards program. The program gives you discounts on health and wellness programs and services, like chiropractic visits and weight management programs.

Cigna gets 27% more complaints about its Medicare Supplement than expected, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Some Cigna members complain about customer service, especially long hold times and other service delays, as well as difficulty with claims.

Aetna Medicare Supplement

If budget is your main concern, Aetna is a good choice. Aetna has low rates for Medicare Supplement Plan N, and its rates are also cheap for its other Medigap plans.

However, Aetna's level of customer service is lower than other companies. The company frequently has more complaints than expected for a company its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). One of the largest companies within Aetna has 250% more complaints than expected, and the smaller companies aren't any better.

AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement

AARP/UnitedHealthcare has great rates on Medigap plans, and its members get extra perks from AARP. You must be an AARP member to buy a plan, but the membership costs just $16 per year. Along with your Medigap plan, you will have access to discounts for vision, dental and hearing programs, as well as a 24/7 nurse line and free gym memberships where available.

UnitedHealthcare has below-average complaints for its Medicare Supplement plans, which indicates good service. However, there are some complaints about the company's handling of claims. Other complaints cite too much junk mail from the company, overly aggressive marketing and poor customer service.

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Frequently asked questions

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Methodology and sources

Medicare Supplement rate data is for the 2024 plan year and includes costs for all private insurance companies. Rates are for a 65-year-old woman who does not smoke. Average costs represent the price during the initial enrollment period for a person who has preferred or guaranteed-issue status. No medical underwriting rates were included. Comparisons are based on plan details, coverage levels and cost data.

Additional sources include AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, the Better Business Bureau, Cigna and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).