What is Medicare Supplement “Medigap” Plan N?
The newest Medigap plan offers lower premiums if you agree to copayments for doctor visits, emergency room visits, and other medical services. Medicare Supplement Plan N provides a similar level of coverage as Plan G. It offers good value for those looking for lower monthly premiums and predictable out-of-pocket costs.
What Does Medigap Plan N Cover?
Medigap Plan N is supplemental insurance sold by private insurers. It helps you cover certain deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments not covered by Original Medicare — Medicare Part A and Part B.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Medigap Plan N Covers
- Medicare Part A deductible – $1,556 for each benefit period in 2022
- Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs for an extra 365 days after your Original Medicare benefits are used up
- Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayment
- Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayment – Plan N pays 100 percent of these costs except for a copayment of up to $20 for some doctor visits and a $50 copayment for certain emergency room visits
- Pays 80 percent of your medical costs — up to your plan’s limits — for medical emergencies while traveling in a foreign country
- Skilled nursing facility care coinsurance
- The first three pints of blood you require for medical procedures each year
Out-of-Pocket Costs Not Covered by Medigap Plan N
- Medicare Part B deductible – not covered by any Medigap plan available to newly eligible Medicare enrollees
- Medicare Part B excess charges – the amount a doctor or other health care provider can legally charge you over and above the Medicare-approved amount for a medical service, supply, or item
How Much Does Medigap Plan N Cost?
Medigap Plan N is sold by private insurers, and several factors contribute to how much an insurer charges for monthly premiums. Basic coverage and benefits for Medigap Plan N are standardized in most states — except for Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which have their standardized Medigap plans. You will need to consider these costs when selecting a Medigap policy that best fits your health care and financial needs.
Medigap Plan N Costs
- Medigap Plan N monthly premium (in addition to any Medicare Part A and your Part B premiums)
- Copayment of up to $20 for doctor visits
- Copayment of up to $50 for emergency room visits — if you are not admitted as a hospital inpatient due to the cause of the visit
- Your Medicare Part B deductible
- Any Medicare Part B excess charges (up to 15% in most states)
Is Medigap Plan N a Good Option?
Medigap Plan N is less expensive than some other plans, and if you don’t visit your doctor very often or seldom need other medical services, the copayments, and coinsurance charged for certain services under Plan N may be negligible when compared with the higher premiums of other Medicare Supplement plans. Plan N may also save you money if you live in one of the eight states that do not allow excess charges.
States that Do Not Allow Medicare Excess Charges
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- New York (only allows 5% excess charge)
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
