Medicare & Medigap Basics
What does Medigap Plan G cover?
Last reviewed: · Big Sioux Benefits Data Desk
Medigap Plan G covers every gap in Original Medicare that a Medigap policy is allowed to cover except the annual Part B deductible ($283 in 2026), the $1,736 Part A hospital deductible, hospital coinsurance with 365 extra lifetime hospital days, the 20% Part B coinsurance, Part B excess charges, skilled-nursing facility coinsurance, the first 3 pints of blood, Part A hospice cost sharing, and 80% of emergency care during foreign travel (sources: Medicare.gov; CMS 2026 amounts).
The qualifier: Plan G supplements Original Medicare only. It does not include prescription drug coverage (you pair it with a standalone Part D plan), and it does not add dental, vision, or hearing benefits. It is also the most comprehensive plan available to anyone newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020. Plans C and F, which also covered the Part B deductible, are closed to that group under MACRA.
Plan G against the 2026 numbers
| Original Medicare gap | 2026 amount | Plan G pays? |
|---|---|---|
| Part A inpatient hospital deductible | $1,736 per benefit period | Yes, 100% |
| Hospital coinsurance, days 61–90 | $434/day | Yes, 100% |
| Hospital coinsurance, lifetime reserve days | $868/day | Yes, plus 365 extra days after Medicare's run out |
| Skilled-nursing coinsurance, days 21–100 | $217/day | Yes, 100% |
| Part B annual deductible | $283 | No, the one gap Plan G leaves you |
| Part B coinsurance | 20% of Medicare-approved amounts | Yes, 100% |
| Part B excess charges | Up to 15% above the approved amount | Yes, 100% |
| Foreign travel emergency | n/a | 80%, after a deductible, to the policy limit |
Practically: a Plan G holder's out-of-pocket for Medicare-covered care in 2026 is the $283 Part B deductible, and then essentially nothing else. A high-deductible Plan G variant trades a lower premium for a $2,950 annual deductible first. See the 2026 HD-G deductible. Benefits are federally standardized, so a Plan G is a Plan G from any carrier; South Dakota's enrollment rules are in our state Medigap guide.
Sources
- Medicare.gov — Compare Medigap plan benefits — accessed 2026-08-18
- CMS — 2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles — November 14, 2025; accessed 2026-08-18
- Federal Register — CY2026 Inpatient Hospital Deductible and Coinsurance Amounts — November 19, 2025; accessed 2026-08-18
Related questions
Does Medigap Plan G cover prescription drugs?
No. No Medigap plan sold today includes drug coverage. You pair Plan G with a standalone Part D prescription drug plan. Skipping Part D without other creditable drug coverage triggers a late-enrollment penalty that lasts as long as you have Part D.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Plan N covers the same gaps as Plan G except Part B excess charges, and it charges copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency-room visits that don't lead to admission (Medicare.gov). In exchange, Plan N premiums run lower. Same-letter benefits are identical across carriers.
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.