Plan N is a Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan that helps cover Medicare costs. The cost may vary depending on where you live, when you enroll, and your health.
Medicare Supplement Plan N, also called Medigap Plan N, is a type of supplemental insurance that helps cover some of Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs. While the plan has standardized coverage, the costs vary by the insurance company and geographic area where you live.
Enrolling in Medigap when you’re first eligible, around your 65th birthday, is the easiest way to get the lowest cost.
In this article, we’ll discuss the costs you can expect if you choose Medigap Plan N.
Private health insurance companies sell Medigap Plan N. The cost and availability of Plan N and other Medicare supplemental insurance plans vary based on your geographic location.
Other factors that can affect the price you pay include:
- age
- sex
- overall health
- when you buy the plan
The following are some examples of cost ranges for Medigap Plan N monthly premiums in different cities across the United States in 2024:
| Location | Plan N monthly premium |
|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $88 to $541 |
| Charlotte, NC | $75 to $717 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $75 to $546 |
| New York, NY | $220 to $483 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $88 to $532 |
| San Diego, CA | $110 to $885 |
| Seattle, WA | $147 to $218 |
To find prices specific to your situation, enter your ZIP code in Medicare’s Medigap plan finder tool.
Plan N monthly premiums
If you enroll in a Medigap plan, you’ll pay a monthly premium in addition to your Medicare Part B monthly premium.
Because private insurance companies sell Medigap policies, monthly premiums will vary by policy. Companies can choose to set their premiums in a variety of ways. The three main ways they set premiums are:
- Community rated: Everyone with the policy pays the same monthly premium, regardless of age.
- Issue-age rated: Monthly premiums are set based on your age when you purchase your policy. Individuals who buy at a younger age have lower monthly premiums.
- Attained-age rated: Monthly premiums are set based on your current age. Because of this, your premiums increase as you get older.
Plan N deductibles
While Plan N covers the Medicare Part A deductible, it doesn’t cover the Medicare Part B deductible. Medigap policies, including Plan N, typically don’t have their deductible.
Plan N copays and coinsurance
Plan N covers copays and coinsurance associated with Medicare parts A and B. You won’t be responsible for these costs if you have a Plan N policy.
Plan N out-of-pocket costs
There’s no set out-of-pocket limit with this plan.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) mandate that Medigap plans be standardized. This means that the basic benefits are the same no matter who sells the plan. Medigap Plan N is a comprehensive plan.
Plan N coverage includes:
- Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for up to an additional 365 days after you use your Medicare benefits
- Part B coinsurance or copayments, with some exceptions: Plan N may require you to pay $20 for some doctor’s office visits and $50 if you have to go to the emergency room but aren’t admitted to the hospital
- the first 3 pints of blood you may require
- Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- coinsurance for skilled nursing facility care
- Part A deductible
- 80% of foreign travel exchange (plan limits apply)
Note that some states standardize Medicare plans differently. These states include Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.
Plan N is similar to Plan F and Plan G but can be significantly less expensive. For some people, Plan N may be a cost-effective solution for Medigap coverage.
Medigap Plan N does not cover:
- your Plan B deductible
- Plan B excess charges if you visit a facility that doesn’t accept Medicare-approved costs for a service
- your Medigap Plan N deductible
- services that are not covered by Medicare, like long-term care, dental, vision, and hearing aids
You can enroll in a Medigap plan once you are eligible for Medicare and enrolled in Medicare Part B. This typically happens around your 65th birthday.
You can only have a Medigap plan with Original Medicare. You cannot have both Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medigap at the same time, as both provide additional coverage.
The least expensive time to buy a Medigap policy is during your Medigap initial enrollment period. This is a 6-month period that begins the month you are both age 65 or older and enrolled in Medicare Part B. If you do not enroll at this time, you may have to pay more if you decide to enroll later.
A company can not use medical underwriting during initial enrollment when selling you a policy. This means they cannot consider your overall health and medical conditions. The insurance company must sell you the policy for the same price they sell to people generally in good health.
After initial enrollment
You can still purchase a Medigap policy after your Medicare initial enrollment period. However, you may have to complete a physical exam or answer other questions about your health before they allow you to purchase the policy. It’s also possible the insurance company could charge you more for the policy than they would for a person in general good health or deny you coverage.
Your ability to purchase a Medigap policy under age 65 depends on the insurance company and your state’s insurance laws. This is true if you have a disability or certain medical conditions, such as end stage renal disease.
The government doesn’t sell Medigap policies. You’ll have to buy the policy from a health insurance company. Once you’ve identified an insurer from which you want to purchase the plan, you contact the company directly to apply.
The insurance company will then let you know the information they need (such as medical underwriting if you aren’t in an open enrollment period). If they approve you, they should give you an estimate of the monthly premium cost.
Help choosing a Medigap planIf you aren’t sure where to start in purchasing a Medigap plan or have questions along the way, there are many resources out there to help you, including:
- CMS: Call 800-633-4227 and ask for a copy of the CMS publication “Choosing a Medigap Policy: A Guide to Health Insurance for People With Medicare.”
- Your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP): The SHIP program offers free counseling on Medicare concerns, including Medigap policy purchases. Click here to find your local SHIP phone number.
- A trusted health insurance agent: Ask a local insurance agent about available Medigap Plan N policies in your area.
Medigap Plan N is one example of a standardized Medicare supplement plan. The plan may help lower out-of-pocket costs associated with Medicare.
You can compare plans through sites such as Medicare.gov and by contacting private insurance companies. The most cost-effective time to enroll in Medigap is during your Medigap initial enrollment period, which is the first 6 months after you enroll in Medicare Part B.