Medicare & Medigap Basics
What is the high-deductible Plan G deductible for 2026?
Last reviewed: · Big Sioux Benefits Data Desk
The high-deductible Plan G deductible is $2,950 for calendar year 2026, set by CMS in its October 2025 announcement as a 2.92% CPI-U adjustment over 2025's $2,870, and the same amount applies to high-deductible Plans F and J (source: CMS, CY2026 Medigap High Deductible Options F, G & J).
The qualifier: this is not a premium and not Medicare's deductible. It is the amount of Medicare cost sharing (Part A and B deductibles and coinsurance) you pay out of pocket each calendar year before the high-deductible policy begins paying. Until you reach it, you cover Original Medicare's own amounts as they come, the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible, the $283 Part B deductible, the 20% Part B coinsurance (CMS, 2026 Parts A & B fact sheet). After it, the plan pays like a standard Plan G. In exchange, HD-G premiums run far below standard Plan G premiums.
The deductible, year by year
| Calendar year | HD Plan G / F / J deductible | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $2,800 | n/a |
| 2025 | $2,870 | +2.5% |
| 2026 | $2,950 | +2.92% (CPI-U, rounded to the nearest $10) |
Who it tends to fit: people comfortable budgeting a worst-case $2,950 a year in exchange for a much lower premium, effectively self-insuring the first layer while keeping catastrophic protection and full provider freedom. Note that high-deductible Plan F is only available to those eligible for Medicare before January 1, 2020; everyone newer chooses HD Plan G. What the plan covers once the deductible is met is in what Plan G covers, and South Dakota's enrollment rules are in the state Medigap guide.
Sources
- CMS — CY2026 Medigap High Deductible Options (F, G & J) — announced October 2025; accessed 2026-08-18
- CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles — November 14, 2025; accessed 2026-08-18
Related questions
Does the high-deductible Plan G deductible change every year?
Yes. Federal law indexes it to the CPI-U, and CMS announces the new amount each fall for the following calendar year, rounded to the nearest $10: $2,800 (2024), $2,870 (2025), $2,950 (2026). Your premium does not count toward it; only Medicare cost sharing does.
Do Part A and Part B deductibles count toward the $2,950?
Yes. Amounts you pay that Plan G would otherwise cover, the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible, coinsurance, and the $283 Part B deductible (which counts toward the HD deductible even though standard Plan G never pays it), accumulate toward the $2,950 before the policy starts paying (CMS).
Talking it through beats guessing: book a free, no-pressure conversation, see the South Dakota Medigap guide, or browse all answers.
Big Sioux Benefits is a licensed insurance agency, not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or SHIINE (South Dakota's SHIP) for all of your options.