Side by side
| Benefit | Plan G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|
| Part A deductible and hospital coinsurance | Yes | Yes |
| Part A hospital costs for 365 more days | Yes | Yes |
| Skilled nursing facility coinsurance | Yes | Yes |
| Hospice coinsurance and first 3 pints of blood | Yes | Yes |
| Part B deductible | No | No |
| Part B coinsurance | Yes | Yes, except copays up to $20 (some office visits) and $50 (ER visits without admission) |
| Part B excess charges | Yes | No |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% | 80% |
Foreign travel coverage pays for emergencies in the first 60 days of a trip, after a $250 yearly deductible, up to a $50,000 lifetime limit. Plan F, which also pays the Part B deductible, is sold only to people eligible for Medicare before 2020.
How to choose
- Count your visits. If you see doctors often or use the emergency room, Plan N's copays add up. If you rarely go, they may matter less.
- Ask whether your doctors accept assignment. Excess charges only come from providers who don't take Medicare's approved amount as full payment. Federal limits apply; ask your providers, especially specialists you see across state lines.
- Compare the same letter across companies. Premiums differ even though benefits don't, and so does each company's pricing method. See how Medigap rates work in North Carolina.
- Choose for the long run. North Carolina has no birthday rule. Moving from Plan N to Plan G later can mean health questions, so pick the one you can live with for years.
Not every company sells every plan letter. To see which Medigap policies are sold where you live, see plans for your ZIP code, or request a call from a licensed insurance agent.
More in Medigap in North Carolina.
Related questions
Can I switch Medigap plans in North Carolina?
What happens if you change your mind.
When can I buy Medigap in North Carolina?
The best time to buy.
Are Medigap rates based on age?
Community, issue-age and attained-age pricing.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Compare Medigap plan benefits
- CMS — Deductible for Medigap high-deductible options, 2027
- CMS — Choosing a Medigap Policy
More questions in this guide
- Are Medigap rates based on age in North Carolina?
- Can I get Medigap under 65 in North Carolina?
- Can I get a Medicare Supplement with pre-existing conditions in North Carolina?
- Can I switch Medigap plans in North Carolina?
- Does North Carolina have a Medigap birthday rule?
- What happens to my Medigap if I move out of North Carolina?
- When can I buy a Medicare Supplement plan in North Carolina?
Part of the guide: Medigap (Medicare Supplement) in North Carolina · All questions
Frequently asked questions
Are Plan G and Plan N the same from every company in North Carolina?
Yes. Plan letters are standardized by federal law, so a Plan G or Plan N has the same benefits from every company. Only the price and the company's service differ.
What are Part B excess charges?
Doctors who don't accept Medicare's approved amount as full payment can bill you up to 15% more, the federal limiting charge. Plan G pays that amount; Plan N doesn't.
Can I switch from Plan N to Plan G later?
You can apply, but North Carolina has no birthday rule, so outside open enrollment or a guaranteed-issue right the company can ask health questions and turn you down.
Is there a high-deductible Plan G?
Yes. High-deductible Plan G has the same benefits after you pay a yearly deductible of $3,050 in 2027.
Medicare in your North Carolina county
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