Costly mistake to avoid: the Medigap guaranteed-issue window and the October 15 – December 7 Annual Enrollment Period are two different things.
The PSA most seniors never hear
One of the most useful posts in r/medicare is blunt: a Plan G is a Plan G. By federal law, every Plan G sold by every carrier covers the exact same benefits, including the same deductibles. A Plan G from a big-name insurer is not “better coverage” than a cheaper Plan G from a lesser-known one. What you are really choosing is price, the company’s service and its history of rate increases.
That is why premiums for the identical plan can differ by hundreds of dollars a month depending on carrier, age, ZIP code, tobacco use and how each state allows insurers to price (community-rated, issue-age or attained-age).
Plan G vs Plan N: what actually differs
Seniors in the threads describe the same decision paralysis: one poster said they had spent an afternoon rereading conflicting opinions on both plans. The difference is simpler than the debate suggests. One commenter summed it up: Plan N is almost a Plan G, with the main difference being a small copay per office visit.
| Feature | Plan G | Plan N | High-Deductible G |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A & B coinsurance, hospital costs | Covered | Covered | Covered after deductible |
| Part B deductible | You pay (annual) | You pay (annual) | You pay (counts within your plan deductible, check with carrier) |
| Office visit copay | None | Up to $20 | None after deductible |
| ER copay | None | Up to $50 (waived if admitted) | None after deductible |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Not covered | Covered after deductible |
| Plan deductible | None | None | $2,950 in 2026 |
| Monthly premium | Higher | Lower than G | Lowest |
The practical question for Plan N is how often you see doctors and whether your providers charge more than Medicare’s approved amount (“excess charges”), which Plan N does not cover. In many states excess charges are limited or prohibited, so ask your SHIP counselor.
Also worth knowing: when you can switch between Medigap plans “depends on what state,” as one commenter put it. Some states let you change carriers freely; many will require health questions if you try to move from N to G later.
High-deductible G: the premium math seniors are actually doing
Here is where the debate gets practical. Commenters shared these figures. They are unverified and reported by community members, so treat them as illustrations, not quotes you can rely on. Always get your own rates.
| Scenario (as reported) | Monthly premium | Annual premium | Worst-case year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Plan G | $330 | $3,960 | $3,960 |
| High-deductible Plan G | $74 | $888 | $888 + $2,850 deductible = $3,738 |
In that example, the high-deductible plan wins even if you spend the entire deductible: the worst case is $3,738 versus $3,960. Another commenter claimed savings of up to $1,252 a year versus standard G. A New York commenter said high-deductible G was cheaper “even if you completely fulfill the deductible.” Note that the deductible figure in that example ($2,850) predates the 2026 amount of $2,950, so recompute with current numbers.
The break-even formula
(Standard G annual premium) − (High-deductible G annual premium) = your premium savings.
If your savings are larger than the deductible you would realistically pay, high-deductible G wins even in a bad year. If the savings are smaller, you are making a bet: you save money in a healthy year and lose a little in a sick one.
Another poster, quoted at $245 a month for standard Plan G from a major carrier, asked whether it makes sense to risk roughly $500 a year on the chance of never spending the deductible. Experienced commenters generally said yes for low users, with one useful reframe: “high deductible” is a misleading label. It behaves more like a calendar-year maximum on your Medigap-covered out-of-pocket costs.
Why it works: Medicare pays first
Medicare pays its share (usually 80% of Part B services) before Medigap enters the picture. Your deductible is counted on the costs Medigap would normally cover, such as the 20% coinsurance, so you generally need a significant amount of care to reach it. High-deductible G also tends to see smaller annual premium increases. One commenter reported that its increases were about half those of regular Plan G, applied to a much lower base. (Again, reported and unverified. Rate-increase histories vary by carrier.)
Get real Plan G, Plan N and high-deductible G quotes for your ZIP
Same benefits, very different prices. Compare carriers side by side, free, in about two minutes.
Compare Medigap Quotes Now →The deadline mix-up that costs seniors the most
This is the most expensive confusion in Medicare, and it runs through the r/medicare PSA threads on the subject. There are two different windows:
| Medigap Open Enrollment Period | Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) | |
|---|---|---|
| When | One time: six months starting the month you are 65+ and enrolled in Part B | Every year, October 15 – December 7 (2026) |
| What it does | Guarantees you can buy any Medigap policy sold in your state, regardless of health | Lets you change Medicare Advantage and Part D plans for January 1 |
| Medigap guarantee? | Yes | No |
If you miss your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, you may later face medical underwriting in most states, which means the insurer can decline you or charge more based on your health. A few states (cited in the threads: New York and Connecticut) offer year-round guaranteed issue, and some have limited switching windows. If you are choosing between Advantage and Medigap this fall, our guide to the million-dollar illness question explains the one-way-door risk.
Getting help when brokers and SHIP don’t call back
A recent 65-year-old on r/medicare complained that the State Health Insurance Assistance Program never picked up the phone, and the two brokers they called were not very useful. That frustration is real, especially in October. Practical tips: call SHIP early in the day and leave a clear voicemail; use comparison tools to narrow your list before you call anyone; and ask any agent to show you quotes from several carriers, not only the ones they sell most.
Sidebar: what about dental?
Dental is the other add-on seniors ask about each open enrollment. The community consensus, reported and unverified, is that dental insurance is more of a small discount program than insurance in the way health insurance is. Most plans max out at around $2,000–$3,000 a year, and stand-alone plans often come with a six-month waiting period. One commenter cited a basic Delta Dental plan at roughly $300 a year for a $1,000 benefit plus two cleanings and X-rays, and Advantage dental riders were described as running roughly $8–$44 a month extra. Do the same math you would for high-deductible G: compare what you will realistically use against the premium and waiting period.
The bottom line
Pick Plan G if you want the most predictable costs and are
willing to pay for it. Pick Plan N if you can live with small
copays and want a lower premium. Consider high-deductible G if
you use little care and the premium savings are bigger than the
deductible you would actually pay. And whichever you choose,
shop on price within the plan letter, since benefits are the
same, and protect your guaranteed-issue window.
Complete Medicare Questionnaire -> https://senioraffair.com/recommends/medicare-questionnaire/
Don’t miss the October 15 – December 7 window
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Get the Free Checklist Compare Plans NowFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between Medigap Plan G and Plan N?
Plan N is close to Plan G, but you pay copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for some ER visits, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. Premiums are usually lower.
Do all Plan G policies cover the same thing?
Yes. Federal law standardizes Medigap benefits, so every Plan G from every carrier is the same. Premiums differ because carriers price differently, so shopping on price is legitimate, though rate-increase history and customer service also matter.
Is high-deductible Plan G worth it?
It can be for low users. It is worth it when annual premium savings exceed the deductible you would actually pay. The 2026 deductible is $2,950.
Is the Medigap Open Enrollment Period the same as the Oct 15 – Dec 7 enrollment period?
No. Medigap open enrollment is a one-time six-month window starting when you are 65+ and in Part B. The Oct 15 – Dec 7 Annual Enrollment Period covers Medicare Advantage and Part D changes and does not guarantee Medigap.
Can I switch Medigap plans or carriers later?
It depends on your state. Many states require health questions if you switch, so lock in the right plan letter early.
Disclosure: SeniorAffair.com may earn a commission if you use links on this page to compare or enroll in plans, at no extra cost to you. This article is general information, not insurance, legal or financial advice. Premium examples and community comments are reported by commenters and have not been independently verified. SeniorAffair.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. Speak with a licensed agent or your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) before choosing a plan.
