Plan G, Plan N and High Deductible G, compared
How the three most common Supplement plans work, and which habits point toward each one.
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Medicare Supplement plans are standardized by letter. Every Plan G sold in Maryland offers the same benefits, whichever company sells it. That makes the letter the first decision and the carrier the second. For people in Rockville, three letters come up again and again: Plan G, Plan N and High Deductible Plan G.
Here is a plain look at each, with the figures that apply in 2026.
Plan G: the plan with one yearly bill
Plan G pays the Medicare gaps that most worry people: the Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026), the 20 percent Part B coinsurance, hospital and skilled nursing coinsurance, blood and hospice costs, and Part B excess charges. It also helps with emergency care when you travel abroad.
What it leaves for you is the Part B deductible, which is $283 in 2026. Spread across a year that is about $24 a month, and after you meet it you owe nothing more for Medicare approved care. People who see several specialists, or who like knowing a bill will rarely surprise them, often lean toward Plan G.
The tradeoff is the monthly premium, which is usually higher than Plan N's.
Plan N: a lower premium with small copays
Plan N covers most of the same gaps with two differences. You may pay a copay of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for an emergency room visit that does not lead to a hospital stay. And Part B excess charges are not covered, which only matters if a provider that accepts Medicare charges above the approved amount.
Plan N also leaves the Part B deductible for you. In return, the monthly premium is typically lower than Plan G's. If you are in good health, see your doctor a few times a year and are comfortable with a predictable copay now and then, Plan N can be a sensible fit. If your visits pile up, the copays may close some of the premium gap.
High Deductible Plan G: lower premium, bigger risk
High Deductible Plan G has the same benefits as Plan G, but only after you pay a yearly deductible out of pocket. That deductible is $2,950 in 2026 and rises to $3,050 in 2027, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Until you reach it, you pay what Medicare does not. After that, the plan pays like Plan G for the rest of the year.
The monthly premium is usually well below Plan G's, so the plan can suit someone who rarely needs care and has savings set aside for a bad year. It is a poor fit if a large bill would strain your budget. Rates can change without notice.
| Cost | Plan G | Plan N | High Deductible G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible ($1,736) | Covered | Covered | Covered after the plan deductible |
| Part B deductible ($283) | You pay | You pay | Counts toward the plan deductible |
| Office visit copay | None | Up to $20 for some visits | None after the deductible |
| Emergency room copay | None | Up to $50 if not admitted | None after the deductible |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered | Covered after the deductible |
| Plan deductible | None | None | $2,950 (2026), $3,050 (2027) |
Choosing for Rockville life
Because a Supplement has no network, location matters less than habits. Think about how you use care. If most of your visits are a primary doctor and an annual checkup, Plan N's copays may be small next to its savings. If you follow a condition with a specialist in Rockville, Bethesda or Washington, Plan G's steadier costs can feel calmer. Our local health resources page lists nearby hospital and urgent care options, and every one of them needs to accept Medicare for a Supplement to work with it.
Plan C and Plan F. You may see these quoted online. They are open only to people who were eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020, so most people turning 65 now will not be offered them.
The best next step is a short conversation about how often you see your doctors and what monthly budget feels right. We will bring quotes for the letters that fit, and you can compare them at your own pace. Pricing differs by carrier, and our pricing guide explains why.
Quick questions
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
Sometimes, but it usually involves health questions. Maryland's yearly birthday window lets you move only to a plan of equal or lesser value, and Plan G is more than Plan N. Moving up generally means underwriting, so it is worth choosing with that in mind.
Who can buy High Deductible Plan G?
High Deductible Plan G is open to people who became new to Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plans C and F, including the high deductible version of F, are closed to people in that group.
Does Plan G cover the Part B deductible?
No. Plan G leaves the yearly Part B deductible for you, which is $283 in 2026. After you pay it, Plan G pays nearly everything else Medicare approves.
Talk through Plan G and Plan N with us
Tell us how often you see your doctors and we will line up quotes that match. Call or book a time that works for you.