What Is Medicare Part G? Understanding Plan G Cost and Coverage in 2026

With so many Medicare terms flying around — Part A, Part B, Part C, Part D, Medigap, and more — it is easy to get confused. One of the most common questions new Medicare enrollees ask is: “What is Part G?” While there is technically no Medicare “Part G” in the traditional sense, the term is widely used to refer to Medicare supplement plan G — one of the most comprehensive and popular coverage options available to seniors today.

If you are turning 65, recently enrolled in Medicare, or simply trying to make sense of your coverage options for 2026, this article explains exactly what Plan G is, what it covers, and — most importantly — what you can expect to pay for it.

“Part G” vs. Medicare Supplement Plan G: Clearing Up the Confusion

Medicare is divided into official “parts” — Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part C (Medicare Advantage), and Part D (prescription drug coverage). There is no official government program called “Part G.”

When people say “Part G,” they almost always mean Medicare Supplement Plan G — a private insurance policy that works alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B). These policies are also called “Medigap” plans because they fill in the gaps Original Medicare leaves behind. The federal government standardizes 10 Medigap plans labeled A through N, and Plan G is currently the most popular among new enrollees, accounting for approximately 39% of all Medigap policies nationwide.

Why Plan G Has Become the #1 Medigap Choice

Before 2020, Medicare Supplement Plan F was the top-selling Medigap policy because it covered every gap left by Original Medicare, including the annual Part B deductible. However, under federal law, Plan F closed to new enrollees on January 1, 2020. Anyone who became eligible for Medicare after that date cannot purchase Plan F.

That shift made Medicare Supplement Plan G the new standard for comprehensive coverage. With Plan F off the table for most Americans, Plan G stepped up as the next best option — covering virtually everything except the Part B deductible. Today it is the most widely chosen supplement plan in the country.

What Does Medicare Supplement Plan G Cover?

Plan G provides an extensive list of benefits that significantly reduces your out-of-pocket exposure under Original Medicare. Here is what it covers in 2026:

Hospital and Inpatient Care Plan G covers your Medicare Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period in 2026), all Part A coinsurance, and extends hospital coverage for an additional 365 days beyond what Medicare provides. If you are ever hospitalized for an extended period, this benefit alone can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

Doctor Visits and Outpatient Services After you pay the Part B deductible ($257 in 2026), Plan G picks up the 20% coinsurance that Original Medicare leaves behind. This includes regular doctor visits, specialist appointments, lab tests, outpatient procedures, and preventive care services.

Skilled Nursing Facility Care Medicare covers the first 20 days of a skilled nursing facility stay in full. From day 21 to day 100, Medicare charges $204.50 per day in coinsurance. Plan G covers this entire amount, giving you up to 100 days of skilled nursing care without additional costs beyond your monthly premium.

Part B Excess Charges Doctors who do not accept Medicare assignment can charge up to 15% above the Medicare-approved rate. These are called excess charges. Plan G covers them completely — a feature that competing plans like Plan N do not offer. For people who see a variety of specialists or live in areas where many physicians opt out of Medicare assignment, this benefit is particularly valuable.

Foreign Travel Emergency Coverage Plan G includes coverage for emergency medical situations abroad — covering 80% of emergency costs after a $250 deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. This is a benefit that Original Medicare does not provide at all.

Understanding Plan G Cost in 2026

One of the most important things to understand about Plan G cost is that while benefits are standardized by the federal government, premiums are not. Every insurance company sets its own rates, meaning the price for identical Plan G coverage can vary significantly from one carrier to the next.

In 2026, here is what you can expect to pay:

Several factors influence your specific premium:

• Age — Premiums increase as you get older, especially under attained-age pricing, the most common method used by carriers.
• Location — Premiums vary widely by state and ZIP code. New York uses community rating (everyone pays the same regardless of age), while other states see large price differences based on geography.
• Gender — Women generally pay slightly lower premiums than men for the same Medigap coverage.
• Tobacco use — Smokers typically pay 15–25% more than non-smokers.
• Insurance carrier — Since Plan G benefits are identical across all insurers, the only real difference is price and service quality. Differences of $50–$100/month between carriers for the exact same plan are common.

The takeaway: comparing quotes from multiple carriers before you enroll can easily save you $600 to $1,200 per year.

High-Deductible Plan G: Worth Considering?

For beneficiaries who are generally healthy and want to minimize monthly costs, High-Deductible Plan G (HD Plan G) is worth a look. It offers all the same benefits as standard Plan G, but you must meet an annual deductible of $2,870 in 2026 before the plan begins paying.

In exchange, monthly premiums drop to as low as $30–$61/month — compared to $140–$220/month for standard Plan G. For someone who rarely visits the doctor and has no chronic conditions, HD Plan G can save nearly $1,900 or more annually in premiums while still protecting against catastrophic medical expenses.

How to Enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan G

To enroll in Plan G, you must already be signed up for both Medicare Part A and Part B. The ideal time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period — a 6-month window that begins the month you turn 65 and are enrolled in Part B. During this period, insurers cannot deny you coverage or charge higher premiums due to health conditions.

After this window closes, most states allow insurance companies to use medical underwriting, which could result in higher rates or denial of coverage. Acting during your open enrollment window protects you from this risk entirely.

Working with an independent Medicare advisor — rather than a carrier-tied agent — allows you to compare rates across multiple companies at no extra cost. Independent advisors are compensated by the insurers, so their guidance does not add to your premium.

The Bottom Line on “Part G” for 2026

Whether you call it “Part G,” Medigap Plan G, or Medicare Supplement Plan G, the coverage it provides is among the most comprehensive available to new Medicare enrollees. It eliminates nearly all out-of-pocket surprises, works with any provider that accepts Medicare nationwide, and gives you the financial predictability that makes retirement planning much easier.

The key is to enroll at the right time, compare rates from multiple carriers, and choose a policy that fits your health needs and budget. Do that, and Plan G can be one of the smartest healthcare decisions you make in retirement.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional insurance or financial advice. Please consult a licensed Medicare insurance specialist for personalized guidance.