Medigap Plan N offers a balance of comprehensive coverage and affordable premiums. It is one of the more robust Medigap offerings, but there are some gaps in its coverage.

Medicare supplement insurance, also called Medigap, is private insurance that helps cover the out-of-pocket costs of Original Medicare (parts A and B).

With Original Medicare, beneficiaries incur various expenses despite Medicare’s coverage. These include deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments. Third-party insurance companies sell Medigap policies to help cover these additional expenses.

Medigap plans are not available to people enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans.

Medigap Plan N is one of 10 Medigap plans offered in 2025.

Although many companies can sell Plan N policies, their coverage is standardized nationwide (except in Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin, which have unique Medigap rules).

Plan N is the third most popular Medigap offering behind plans G and F. It accounted for roughly 10% of Medigap plans sold in 2023, according to health policy research nonprofit KFF.

As with Plan G, Plan N covers most of the costs of Original Medicare. But there are a couple of notable differences:

  • Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges. Excess charges are fees you may pay if you visit a doctor who does not accept Medicare assignment. They may be up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount for a given service.
  • Plan N does not cover all Part B copayments. With Plan N, you still have copayments of up to $50 for emergency room visits and $20 for some office visits.

Since Plan N and other Medigap plans only help cover costs associated with Original Medicare, they do not cover costs related to vision, dental, or hearing care, nor do they cover drug costs.

To receive these types of benefits, you would need a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.

Pros of Medigap Plan N

  • comprehensive coverage of major medical expenses
  • no restrictions on provider access
  • lower premiums than Plan G despite offering similar coverage
  • complete coverage of Part A deductible
  • predictable out-of-pocket expenses
  • coverage of 80% of emergency care during foreign travel

Cons of Medigap Plan N

  • requires copayments for office visits and emergency room visits
  • no coverage of Part B excess charges in states where they apply
  • no coverage of Part B deductible ($257 in 2025)
  • requires separate premium payments in addition to the Part B premium

Plan N offers coverage for a wide range of costs. These include:

  • 100% of the Part A deductible
  • 100% of the Part A coinsurance and hospital costs
  • 100% of the Part A coinsurance or copayment for hospice care
  • 100% of the skilled nursing facility coinsurance
  • 100% of Part B coinsurance
  • the first 3 pints of blood
  • 80% of foreign emergency care

Despite Plan N’s extensive coverage, there are a few things it does not cover. These include:

  • the Part B deductible
  • Part B excess charges
  • dental, hearing, and vision care
  • prescription drugs
  • long-term skilled nursing care

No single Medicare plan is right for every person. Coverage decisions depend on personal factors, such as your medical needs and financial constraints.

Plan N may be right for you if you have moderate healthcare needs and want predictability in your costs.

Although you’ll have higher monthly premiums with Plan N than with most Medicare Advantage plans or Original Medicare alone, you’ll have very few out-of-pocket expenses for the care you receive.

Those seeking a balance between premiums and coverage may also wish to consider Plan N, particularly if they visit healthcare professionals who accept Medicare assignment.

Plus, if you’re willing to incur small copayments in exchange for lower monthly premiums, Plan N may be right for you.

You’re only eligible to buy a Medigap policy if you’re enrolled in Original Medicare. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, companies are prohibited by law from selling you a Medigap plan.

The best time to sign up for Plan N is during your Medigap open enrollment period. This is a 6-month window that begins when you sign up for Part B and are 65 years or older.

If you wait until after this period, insurance carriers can charge you higher premiums or deny coverage based on preexisting conditions.

To see Plan N options in your area, use the coverage finder tool on Medicare.gov. After entering your ZIP code, you’ll see plans from different insurance carriers in your area. Scroll down to Plan N at the bottom and select “View Policies.”

To see the most accurate pricing information, contact the company offering your desired plan and enroll directly with a representative.

Alternatively, you can use a third-party insurance broker to help you sign up.

Medigap Plan N is supplemental insurance for individuals who have Original Medicare. It covers most out-of-pocket costs associated with Original Medicare.

Plan N is a popular Medigap option. Some of its benefits include comprehensive medical coverage, lower premiums, no restrictions on provider access, and predictable out-of-pocket expenses.

Some drawbacks of Plan N include copayments for office visits and emergency room visits and no coverage of Part B excess charges.

Plan N may be right for individuals seeking a balance between robust coverage and lower monthly premiums than similar plans.