Medicare Supplement Plan N

Medicare Plan N is one of the standardized Medicare Supplement Insurance options available in most states.

Medicare Supplement Plan N offers more benefits than a number of different types of plans. Learn more about the benefits, costs and coverage of Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan N.

What Is Medigap Plan N?

Medigap plans help cover the out-of-pocket costs that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) don't cover, like deductibles, copayments and coinsurance.

Medigap Plan N can help cover these costs and more. And you can use Plan N at any hospital or provider in the United States who accepts Medicare.

What Does Plan N Cover?

Plan N includes 7 out of 9 available Medigap benefits.

Plan N benefits

Medicare Part A Coinsurance

Medicare Part A is known as hospital insurance and it includes cost-sharing measures like coinsurance. Inpatient hospital stays covered by Medicare Part A require coinsurance fees if they exceed 60 days.

Medigap Plan N pays for all of your Part A coinsurance fees.

Medicare Part B Coinsurance and Copayment

Medicare Part B usually charges a coinsurance and copayments for doctor visits and other outpatient care.

Medicare Part B typically pays for 80% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, leaving you to pay 20% coinsurance in most cases (after you meet your Part B deductible for the year).

Plan N will fully pay for your Part B coinsurance costs, except for a copayment of up to $20 for some office visits. A second copayment of up to $50 could be required for emergency room visits that do not result in an inpatient admission.

First 3 Pints of Blood

If you require a blood transfusion as part of a medical procedure, Original Medicare only covers the costs for the fourth pint of blood and beyond.

If you need blood while in the hospital, Medigap Plan N cover the cost of the first 3 pints.

Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment

Medicare Part A covers hospice care services, but it requires copayments. These copayments include $5 certain prescription drugs and 5% of the Medicare-approved amount for inpatient respite care.

Plan N fully covers the costs of your hospice care coinsurance and copayments.

Coinsurance for Skilled Nursing Facility Care

Part A requires you to pay a daily coinsurance when you're admitted to a skilled nursing facility for longer than 20 days. Your skilled nursing facility coinsurance can reach $204 per day in 2024.

Medigap Plan N covers your skilled nursing facility coinsurance costs in full.

Medicare Part A Deductible

When you are admitted for inpatient hospital care, you are required to meet a Part A deductible, which is $1,632 per benefit period in 2024. You could potentially have to pay the Part A deductible more than one time in a single year.

Medigap Plan N covers your deductible in full for each benefit period you require.

Foreign Travel Emergency Care

Original Medicare doesn't typically pay for medical care provided outside of the United States.

Medigap Plan N pays for 80% of the costs of your qualified emergency medical care when you travel outside of the U.S.

Medicare Plan N vs. Plan G and Other Medigap Plans

Plan N is identical to Medigap Plan D, except for the Medicare Part B coinsurance coverage.

Plan N covers more benefits than Plan A, but fewer benefits than Plan F and Plan G, for example.

To see the difference between Medigap Plan N and the other standardized plan options, review the chart below.

Medicare Plan N vs. Other Medigap Plan Options

How Much Does Medigap Plan N Cost?

The average Medigap Plan N premium in 2023 was $110 per month.¹

This was below the average premium paid for all plans in 2023, which was $130 per month, meaning that Plan N may one of the most affordable Medigap plans on average.

It’s important to note that factors such as age, gender, smoking status, health and where you live can affect Medigap plan rates. You can call to speak with a licensed insurance agent and compare plans including any discounts that may be available to qualified enrollees.

Medigap Plan N Enrollment

Plan N was first offered in 2010, and by 2021, 67% of all insurance companies that sold Medigap plans offered Plan N as part of their lineup.²

The number of beneficiaries enrolled in Plan N accounts for 10 percent of all Medigap beneficiaries.

Plan N is the third-most popular plan, behind only Plan F and Plan G.

Why Choose Plan N?

Finding the right Medigap plan for your needs depends on the types of coverages you want, but there are several reasons you may choose Plan N, such as:

• While Plan N doesn't cover the Medicare Part B deductible, the deductible cost is only $240 per year in 2024.
  
  
• Plan N doesn't cover Part B excess charges, but you can typically avoid facing these excess charges by making sure you only visit health care providers who accept Medicare assignment. This means that they accept Medicare reimbursement as payment in full.
  
  Most providers who participate in Medicare accept Medicare assignment.

Call today to speak with a licensed insurance agent. They can help you compare Medigap plans in your area so that you can find a plan that fits your needs and meets your budget.

Medicare Supplement Plan N vs. Medicare Advantage

Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C) are very different types of coverage, and you cannot have a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medigap plan at the same time.

While Medigap plans help cover some of Medicare’s out-of-pocket expenses, Medicare Advantage plans replace your Original Medicare benefits.

While Medigap is used alongside Medicare, Medicare Advantage is used as an alternative to Original Medicare.

How Do I Sign Up for Plan N?

Plan N options may be available where you live.

Call to speak with a licensed insurance agent who can help you compare the plans in your area so that you can find a plan that fits your needs.