Medicare Plan N: Coverage, Cost and How It Works
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Medicare Plan N is the best Medigap plan for balancing good coverage with affordable rates.
At $137 per month on average, it's cheaper 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?
Medicare Supplement plans, including Plan N, let you pay less when you go to the doctor or hospital.
Like other Medicare Supplement plans, also called Medigap plans, Plan N pays for costs that Original Medicare doesn't.
Original Medicare only pays for about 80% of your medical costs. A Medicare Supplement plan can help lower your bills by paying for some of the remaining costs.
You can buy Medigap plans, including Plan N, from health insurance companies like AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Aetna and Humana. 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.
How supplemental policies work
- Medicare Parts A and B pay their portion of medical expenses, usually 80% of costs.
- Supplemental plans then pay some of the rest, filling in gaps that Medicare doesn't pay.
- You pay the remainder of the bill, if there is any.
What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover?
Plan N covers the $1,736 Medicare Part A deductible and coinsurance for Medicare Parts A and B.
Category | Plan N coverage |
|---|---|
| Part A coinsurance (hospital care) | |
| Part B coinsurance (medical care) | |
| Blood (first 3 pints) | |
| Part A hospice care coinsurance | |
| Skilled nursing home coinsurance | |
| Part A deductible | |
| Part B deductible | |
| Part B excess charges | |
| Foreign travel emergencies | 80% of costs |
Plan N has some of the best coverage of any Medigap plan. Only Plans C, F and G have more coverage. You can only get Plan C or F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020.
If you have Medicare Plan N, you have to pay a flat fee when you see a doctor.
This is called a copay. You pay up to $20 for each physician visit and up to $50 for each emergency room visit. Medicare Supplement Plan N doesn't charge for visits to urgent care.
Plan N doesn't cover the extra amount that doctors can charge if they do not accept Medicare-approved rates. These are called Part B excess charges, and they don't happen often because most doctors use the Medicare-approved rates for medical care.
Plan N also doesn't cover your low 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.
No matter how much medical care you need each year, you'll still have to pay your share of certain medical bills. That's because Plan N does not have an out-of-pocket limit. No matter how high your bills are, you'll still have to pay your portion.
Medicare Plan N cost
Plan N costs an average of $137 per month.
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This monthly cost is on top of the cost of Original Medicare, which includes Parts A and B. Most people get Part A for free. Part B costs $202.90 per month in 2026.
Plan N is a great option if you want cheap rates and good coverage. It has nearly as much coverage as Plan G but costs $43 less each month, on average.
Medigap rates by plan
Plan | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| High-deductible G | $52 |
| High-deductible F | $58 |
| Plan K | $87 |
| Plan L | $134 |
| Plan N | $137 |
Average monthly rates for a 65-year-old woman who does not smoke.
Medigap Plan N rates by state
The cost for Plan N ranges from $100 per month in New Mexico to $328 per month in New York.
Medicare Supplement rates change based on where you live, as well as your gender, age (in most states) and sometimes your health.
State | Monthly rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $116 |
| Alaska | $135 |
| Arizona | $134 |
| Arkansas | $143 |
| California | $161 |
Average monthly rates for a 65-year-old woman who does not smoke.
Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin have their own Medigap systems and don't sell Plan N.
Medicare Plan N vs. Plan G
You should get Plan N if you want low monthly costs but also coverage that is almost as good as Plan G.
If you're willing to pay more each month, Plan G has slightly better coverage.
Plan differences | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost | $180/month | $137/month |
| Medicare Part B coinsurance for medical care | ||
| Medicare Part B excess charges |
Plan N is a better choice if budget is your main concern or 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.
Let's say, for example, that Plan N costs $150 per month, while Plan G costs $200 a month.
Plan N has copays of up to $20 per doctor visit. That means if you have Plan N and visit the doctor three times a month, you'll pay up to an extra $60 in copays. In this case, the cost of Plan N plus the copays would be $10 more that month than the total cost for Plan G, which does not charge copays. Even though the monthly rate is more expensive, Plan G is a better option if you go to the doctor often.
It is difficult, if not impossible, to predict how many times you are going to have to visit a doctor or an ER in the course of a year, but you might have a general idea. When comparing Plans N and G, think about how often you usually see a doctor. This can help you decide if Plan N is actually cheaper with the copays factored in.
High-deductible Plan G is a low-cost alternative
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. It's cheaper than Plan N but has more coverage after you pay the first $2,950 of your medical bills, called the deductible. The amount you pay toward the plan's deductible counts toward your $283 Part B deductible.
A high-deductible Plan G costs an average of $52 per month.
Is Plan N or Plan G more popular?
Medigap Plan G is more popular than Plan N.
Nearly 4 in 10 people who buy Medigap plans choose Plan G or the high-deductible version. About 1 in 10 people choose Plan N.
Plan F, including the high-deductible version, is also popular. The two versions of Plan F make up about 36% of Medigap plans. You can only buy Plan F if you were eligible for Medicare before 2020.
Plan G is more popular than Plan N because it has more coverage and doesn't charge doctor and emergency room copays.
Is Plan N the best Supplement plan for you?
Medigap Plan N is good if you're on a budget and still want good coverage.
Plan N is cheaper than Plan F or Plan G, although 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.
- Coverage vs. cost: Think about how much you can afford to pay each month and how much coverage you need for your medical care.
- Pricing differences between providers: The cost for Medicare Supplement plans changes between insurance companies. Comparing companies lets you get the same coverage for the best price.
- Out-of-pocket costs: Some Medigap plans have deductibles. And not every plan covers Medicare Parts A and B coinsurance. This means that you'll have to pay more for your medical care with some plans than with others.
- Extra perks: Some companies give you extra benefits like free gym memberships or coverage for vision and dental care. You shouldn't choose a plan just for the perks. But you might be able to narrow down your choices based on what extra benefits a plan has.
Medicare Supplement Plan N reviews
Shopping around and comparing companies helps you get the best deal on Medigap Plan N.
Most Medicare Supplement companies sell Plan N, but the cheapest rates are from Cigna, State Farm and Mutual of Omaha. Looking at customer service is also important, especially because the coverage from Plan N is the same no matter what company you choose.
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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, companies have different rates, customer service and add-on benefits.
Medigap Plan N costs by company
Company |
Editor rating
| Monthly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $120 | |
| State Farm | $131 | ||
| Mutual of Omaha | $136 | |
| Aetna | $139 | |
| Humana | $143 | |
Average monthly rates for a 65-year-old woman who does not smoke.
Cigna Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$120 ?
Cigna Medicare Supplement plans are available in most of the country, and its Plan N is one of the cheapest on the market.
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.
However, Cigna gets five times more complaints about its Medicare Supplement than an average company its size. But your level of service depends on the specific Cigna company your plan comes from.
You can get Plan N from Cigna in every state except New York. Cigna also sells Plan N in Washington, D.C. Plan N isn't sold by any company in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin because those states have unique Medigap plans.
Cigna's Medicare business, including its Medigap plans, was purchased by Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) in March 2025. For now, Cigna's Medigap plans are still sold under the Cigna brand, although that could change in 2026.
Some Cigna plans are also sold by American Retirement Life Insurance Company, Loyal American Life Insurance Company or Medco Containment Life Insurance Company.
State Farm Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$131 ?
State Farm has cheap rates for Plan N, and it can be a convenient option if you have car and home insurance with the company.
State Farm might not be the first company you think of for Medigap coverage, but its Plan N is one of the cheapest options available.
State Farm has good customer service for Medicare Supplement plans, too. Overall, the company has about one quarter fewer complaints compared to an average company its size. Choosing a company with good service can make things easier if you ever have questions or concerns about your plan.
State Farm sells Plan N in nearly every state except Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. Plan N isn't available at all in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$136 ?
Mutual of Omaha has some of the best Medigap customer service in the industry.
Mutual of Omaha is a great option for Plan N because it has a combination of low rates and excellent service. Plan N from Mutual of Omaha costs $136 per month, which is about in line with the national average.
The biggest reason to choose Mutual of Omaha is the company's excellent service. Compared to an average company its size, Mutual of Omaha has nearly 90% fewer complaints about its Medigap plans. That means people rarely have issues with their Mutual of Omaha Medicare Supplement plans.
Mutual of Omaha is also very widely available. You can't get Plan N from Mutual of Omaha in Maine or New York, and no company sells Plan N in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Aetna Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$139 ?
Aetna Medicare Supplement is a good choice because of its customer service, but you can probably find a better option.
Aetna has good customer experience, but its rates for Plan N are higher than other options. You can probably get a cheaper plan from another company and still get service that is just as good as Aetna's.
Overall, Aetna has good customer service. The company gets 16% fewer complaints than an average company its size.
Aetna doesn't sell Medicare Supplement Plan N in Connecticut, Hawaii, Maine, New York, or Washington. And remember that Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin have different Medigap plans, so Plan N isn't available at all there. Aetna sells about 11% of all Medigap plans in the country.
Humana Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$143 ?
Humana has high rates for Plan N and usually has poor customer service.
Humana is expensive for Medigap Plan N. Plus, the company has poor customer service.
Overall, Humana gets more than four times the complaints expected for a company its size. You can probably find a better deal on Medigap coverage with another company.
Humana sells Plan N in every state except Alaska, Hawaii, Rhode Island and Washington, D.C. Plan N isn't sold at all in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Overall, the company sells about 5% of all Medicare Supplement plans.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$145 ?
AARP Medicare Supplement policies, sold through UnitedHealthcare, are some of the best and most popular on the market.
AARP/UnitedHealthcare's rates for Plan N are expensive, but its members get extra perks from AARP.
You have to join AARP to buy a plan, but the membership costs just $20 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 good service overall, with 11% fewer complaints than average for its Medicare Supplement plans. However, there are some complaints about the company sending too much junk mail and having overly aggressive marketing tactics.
AARP sells roughly 8% of all Medigap plans in the country. You can get Medicare Supplement Plan N from AARP/UnitedHealthcare nationwide, except in Massachusetts, Minnesota and Wisconsin, where Plan N isn't available at all.
USAA Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$165 ?
USAA isn't the best option for Medicare Supplement Plan N because it's expensive and it doesn't have good service.
USAA has high rates for Plan N, and its customer service isn't the best. Most people can find a better option.
USAA gets 22% more complaints than an average company its size. While that's not as bad as other companies, it's also not great. Many other companies, like Mutual of Omaha and Aetna, have better service.
You can get Plan N from USAA in every state except New Jersey and New York. Plan N isn't sold in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin. You don't have to be a USAA member to get a Medigap plan from USAA.
Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Medicare Supplement
-
Editor rating
-
Monthly Plan N rate
$168 ?
Blue Cross Blue Shield isn't cheap for Plan N, but the company offers good perks.
Blue Cross Blue Shield is expensive for Plan N, so it's not a good option if you're on a budget. But the company does have some interesting perks that might make up for the high price. Some BCBS companies have a program, called Blue to Blue, that lets you change Medigap plans without taking your medical history into account. That helps you switch plans, if you think another plan will be better, but still pay a lower rate. You might also be able to get a discount for automatic payments.
Overall, Blue Cross Blue Shield's customer service gets worse ratings than average, with 47% more complaints about its Medigap plans compared to an average company its size.
But BCBS is made of independent companies, and where you live determines what specific company your plan comes from and its level of service. For example, Plan N in Georgia comes from Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, but in Maryland, Plan N comes from CareFirst of Maryland. In some states, more than one Blue Cross Blue Shield company sells Plan N.
Blue Cross Blue Shield sells Plan N in every state except Alabama, Hawaii and Mississippi. And no company sells Plan N in Massachusetts, Minnesota or Wisconsin.
Frequently asked questions
What is Medicare Plan N?
Plan N gives you extra coverage that helps pay for the things that Original Medicare doesn't. For example, Plan N pays for your $1,736 yearly Part A deductible, as well as your share of the medical bills you get when you go to a doctor or stay in the hospital. Plan N has more coverage than Plan K, which is also a cheap option, but less coverage than Plan G, which is more popular.
What are the disadvantages of Plan N?
With Plan N, you still have to pay up to $20 when you visit a doctor and up to $50 if you go to the emergency room. And Plan N doesn't pay for the Part B deductible. Only Plans C and F do that, but you can't get those plans unless you could get Medicare before 2020.
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Plan G is more expensive than Plan N, but it also has better coverage. With Plan G, you don't have to pay when you see a doctor or visit an emergency room, but you do with Plan N. Plan G also covers the higher amount that doctors might charge if they don't use Medicare-approved rates, called Part B excess charges. Plan N doesn't cover those charges.
Methodology and sources
Medicare Supplement rate data is for the 2026 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.
Data about plan popularity comes from AHIP. Additional sources include AARP/UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, the Better Business Bureau, Cigna and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
About the Author
Insurance Writer
Cate Deventer is a ValuePenguin writer who specializes in health insurance, Medicare, auto and home insurance. She's been a licensed insurance agent since 2011.
She started her insurance career working as a customer service agent for State Farm. She later moved to an independent agency, where she worked with several insurance companies and hundreds of clients. She quoted policies, filed claims and answered insurance questions. In 2021, she pivoted her career and began writing about insurance for Bankrate. She moved to ValuePenguin in 2023 and began writing about health insurance and Medicare.
Cate has a passion for helping readers choose insurance to fit their needs. She enjoys knowing that her research and knowledge help people choose insurance products that make a positive difference in their lives.
How insurance helped Cate
Cate used her health insurance knowledge to navigate a surgery in 2023. Understanding how her policy worked let her focus on recovery instead of worrying about bills.
Expertise
- Health insurance
- Medicare & Medicaid
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- Home insurance
- Life insurance
Credentials
- Licensed Life, Accident & Health Insurance Agent
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- CBS
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- BA, Theatre, Purdue University
- BA, English, Indiana University
Editorial Note: We are committed to providing accurate content that helps you make informed financial decisions. Our partners have not endorsed or commissioned this content.
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