Medigap Plan G High-Deductible is a great option for Medicare beneficiaries seeking comprehensive coverage while keeping monthly premiums as low as possible.
If you’re currently in good health and you can afford to contribute the $2,870 deductible amount (for 2025) towards your healthcare costs annually, the Medigap Plan G High-Deductible is an excellent way to get extensive coverage at a lower monthly premium.
By opting for the high-deductible version rather than the standard Medigap Plan G, you can enjoy substantial savings on monthly premiums while still benefiting from the robust protection of Medigap Plan G once the deductible is met.
Key Takeaways
- Medigap High Deductible Plan G features lower premiums than the standard Plan G
- The 2025 deductible for the High Deductible Plan G is $2,870, vs. a $240 Part B deductible for the standard Plan G
- A great option if you are in good health and can afford up to $2,870 in annual medical costs
- Need to add Part D for prescription drug coverage
- Compare with Medi-Share 65+ or standard Plan G
Get a Free Medicare Supplement Quote
Medigap High-Deductible Plan G: Balancing Premiums and Out-of-Pocket Costs
With the high-deductible version of Medigap Plan G, you must pay an annual deductible of $2,870 in 2025 before the plan’s full coverage kicks in.
Anything that is approved by Medicare Part A or Part B but not paid counts toward your annual deductible.
The high-deductible Plan G is an excellent choice for individuals in good health who don’t anticipate significant healthcare expenses. By agreeing to shoulder a higher upfront deductible, you can enjoy substantial savings on monthly premiums while still benefiting from the comprehensive coverage of Plan G once your deductible is met.
Benefits of Medigap Plan G and High-Deductible Plan G
Both the standard and high-deductible versions of Medigap Plan G offer the following benefits:
- Coverage for Medicare Part A coinsurance and hospital costs up to an additional 365 days after Medicare benefits are exhausted
- Payment of the Medicare Part A deductible
- Coverage for Medicare Part A hospice care coinsurance or copayments
- Payment of Medicare Part B coinsurance or copayments (but not the initial $240 Medicare Part B deductible)
- Coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges
- Coverage for the first three pints of blood for a transfusion
- Payment of skilled nursing facility care coinsurance (post hospitalization only, for up to 100 days)
- Coverage for medically necessary emergency healthcare services for the first 60 days when traveling outside the United States (deductible and limitations apply)
The primary difference between the standard and high-deductible versions of Plan G is the annual deductible amount you must pay before the plan’s coverage begins.
Weighing Potential Disadvantages of Medigap Plan G
The high-deductible Plan G isn’t the right option for everybody.
Here are some reasons why a high-deductible Medigap Plan G may not make financial sense:
- You can’t afford the deductible: Those with limited income or savings may struggle to pay the $2,870 deductible upfront, even though premiums are lower. If the deductible causes you to delay or skip needed care because you can’t afford to see your doctor, a high-deductible may not be the best thing for you, in the long run.
- Preference for predictable costs: Some may prefer the higher but stable monthly premiums of standard Plan G over the high deductible version’s initially lower premiums but unpredictable out-of-pocket exposure.
- Transition to standard Plan G is difficult: Once on high-deductible Plan G, switching to the standard version later requires medical underwriting. If your health changes, you might not be able to switch to the standard Plan G.
You should anticipate potentially having a high deductible for many years.
7Comparing the High-Deductible Medigap Plan G to Other Options
Medigap Plan N
Medigap Plan N is another popular option for new Medicare beneficiaries.
The most important thing about Plan N is that it’s nearly identical to Plan G, but doesn’t pay for physician’s excess charges. That’s a good thing if you live in one of the states that prohibits excess charges.
While it offers slightly less coverage than the standard Plan G, it typically comes with lower premiums.
Plan N requires copayments and coinsurance for all office visits and emergency room visits, which can add up if you frequently utilize these services.
If you have multiple Medicare-covered office visits in one day you will only be charged one copayment. Your labs, x-rays, and any durable medical equipment (DME) needed during your visits will not be charged copayments or coinsurance.
Also, telehealth services are not billed as office visits by providers, so you won’t be charged a copayment for those.
Medi-Share 65+ (Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry)
While it operates differently from traditional insurance, it can provide an alternative way to share healthcare costs among members with similar beliefs and values. However, it’s important to carefully evaluate the coverage and limitations of such programs to ensure they align with your needs and preferences.
If you are excited about this Christian health sharing ministry and want to join a like-minded community who help each other with medical expenses you can easily self-enroll.
Comparing Medigap Plan G High-Deductible and Medi-Share 65+
When it comes to healthcare coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries, Medigap Plan G High-Deductible and Medi-Share 65+ offer distinct approaches.
Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you understand the key differences and similarities:
| Feature | Medigap Plan G High-Deductible | Medi-Share 65+ |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Medicare Supplement Insurance | Healthcare Sharing Ministry |
| Eligibility | Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B | Age 65 or older, Christian faith, also enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B |
| Coverage | Comprehensive Medicare supplement benefits after meeting the annual deductible ($2,800 in 2024) | Eligible medical bills are shared among members based on Biblical principles. |
| Deductible | Annual deductible of $2,800 in 2024 | $500 Annual Household Portion (similar to a deductible) |
| Out-of-Pocket Costs | No copays or coinsurance after the deductible is met | No copays or coinsurance after AHP is met |
| Provider Network | No network restrictions; any provider that accepts Medicare | No network restrictions, but providers must be willing to accept Medi-Share, or you can pay upfront and get reimbursed |
| Guaranteed Issue | Available during the Medigap initial eligibility period. Medically underwritten after that. | No guaranteed issue; medical history review required |
| Premiums | Set by private insurance companies, varies by location and age | Currently $99/month for ages 65-74, and $150/month for ages 75 and up. Rate lock-in through age 74. |
| Accountability | Regulated by federal and state governments | Member-voted guidelines and accountability |
| Biblical Principles | Secular insurance product | Based on Biblical principles of sharing burdens |
| Community Support | No community aspect | Members support and pray for each other |
| Pre-existing conditions | Covered from enrollment | Subject to a 6-month waiting period. |
Excess Charges and State Regulations
One unique feature of Medigap Plan G is its coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges, which occur when healthcare providers charge more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service.
However, it’s important to note that excess charges are relatively rare, as most providers who accept Medicare are not permitted to impose them.
Additionally, eight states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) prohibit excess charges altogether, making the excess charge coverage benefit of Plan G less relevant for beneficiaries residing in these states.
If you live in one of these states, you should consider Plan N, or the high-deductible Plan N.
Comparing the High-Deductible Medigap Plan G to Other Options
Medigap Plan N
Medigap Plan N is another popular option for new Medicare beneficiaries.
The most important thing about Plan N is that it’s nearly identical to Plan G, but doesn’t pay for physician’s excess charges. That’s a good thing if you live in one of the states that prohibits excess charges.
While it offers slightly less coverage than the standard Plan G, it typically comes with lower premiums.
Plan N requires copayments and coinsurance for all office visits and emergency room visits, which can add up if you frequently utilize these services.
If you have multiple Medicare-covered office visits in one day you will only be charged one copayment. Your labs, x-rays, and any durable medical equipment (DME) needed during your visits will not be charged copayments or coinsurance.
Also, telehealth services are not billed as office visits by providers, so you won’t be charged a copayment for those.
Medi-Share 65+ (Christian Healthcare Sharing Ministry)
While it operates differently from traditional insurance, it can provide an alternative way to share healthcare costs among members with similar beliefs and values. However, it’s important to carefully evaluate the coverage and limitations of such programs to ensure they align with your needs and preferences.
If you are excited about this Christian health sharing ministry and want to join a like-minded community who help each other with medical expenses you can easily self-enroll.
Comparing Medigap Plan G High-Deductible and Medi-Share 65+
When it comes to healthcare coverage options for Medicare beneficiaries, Medigap Plan G High-Deductible and Medi-Share 65+ offer distinct approaches.
Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you understand the key differences and similarities:
Feature: Type
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Medicare Supplement Insurance
- Medi-Share 65+ – Healthcare Sharing Ministry
Feature: Eligibility
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
- Medi-Share 65+ – Age 65 or older, Christian faith, also enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B
Feature: Coverage
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Comprehensive Medicare supplement benefits after meeting the annual deductible ($2,800 in 2024)
- Medi-Share 65+ – Eligible medical bills are shared among members based on Biblical principles.
Feature: Deductible
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Annual deductible of $2,800 in 2024
- Medi-Share 65+ – $500 Annual Household Portion (similar to a deductible)
Feature: Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – No copays or coinsurance after the deductible is met
- Medi-Share 65+ – No copays or coinsurance after AHP is met
Feature: Provider Network
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – No network restrictions; any provider that accepts Medicare
- Medi-Share 65+ – No network restrictions, but providers must be willing to accept Medi-Share, or you can pay upfront and get reimbursed
Feature: Guaranteed Issue
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Available during the Medigap initial eligibility period. Medically underwritten after that.
- Medi-Share 65+ – No guaranteed issue; medical history review required
Feature: Premiums
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Set by private insurance companies, varies by location and age
- Medi-Share 65+ – Currently $99/month for ages 65-74, and $150/month for ages 75 and up. Rate lock-in through age 74.
Feature: Accountability
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Regulated by federal and state governments
- Medi-Share 65+ – Member-voted guidelines and accountability
Feature: Biblical Principles
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Secular insurance product
- Medi-Share 65+ – Based on Biblical principles of sharing burdens
Feature: Community Support
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – No community aspect
- Medi-Share 65+ – Members support and pray for each other
Feature: Pre-existing conditions
- Medigap Plan G High-Deductible – Covered from enrollment
- Medi-Share 65+ – Subject to a 6-month waiting period.
Excess Charges and State Regulations
One unique feature of Medigap Plan G is its coverage for Medicare Part B excess charges, which occur when healthcare providers charge more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service.
However, it’s important to note that excess charges are relatively rare, as most providers who accept Medicare are not permitted to impose them.
Additionally, eight states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont) prohibit excess charges altogether, making the excess charge coverage benefit of Plan G less relevant for beneficiaries residing in these states.
If you live in one of these states, you should consider Plan N, or the high-deductible Plan N.
Get a Free Medicare Advantage Quote
Be Sure to Enroll During Open Enrollment
Remember, the best time to enroll in a Medigap plan is during the six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, which begins when you turn 65 and enroll in Medicare Part B. During this period, insurance companies cannot consider your health status or medical history when determining your eligibility or premiums.
Self-Enrollment and Expert Guidance
If you’re interested in enrolling in Medigap Plan G or exploring other Medicare Supplement Insurance options, reach out to one of our Medigap experts to begin the process.
Or you can self-enroll in Medi-Share 65+. It’s Easy!
Conclusion
Medigap Plan G offers unparalleled coverage for Medicare beneficiaries, but its high premiums may not be suitable for everyone’s budget.
The high-deductible version of Plan G is an excellent choice if you’re able to pay the $2,870 deductible annually, because it allows you to enjoy comprehensive protection while keeping monthly premiums low.
By carefully evaluating your healthcare needs, budget, and the available options, you can make an informed decision and select the Medicare Supplement Insurance plan that best aligns with o your circumstances.
Reach out to one of our Personal Benefits Managers to schedule a free consultation!
For Further Reading: Medigap Shopping Tips: Don’t Overpay | Can I Switch to Medigap? | What Kind of Medicare Plan Is Best for Me? (Quiz)
Leslie Alford is a Personal Benefits Manager at MediGap Advisors. Leslie has a passion for bringing clarity to those confused about Medicare. She is an authority on Medicare, Medicare supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Part D prescription drug plans. Read more about Leslie on her Bio page.