Medicare Supplement Plans in New York: Plan G, High Deductible G & Plan N
New York gives people with Medicare some of the strongest Medicare Supplement (Medigap) protections in the country. Here's how those rules work, how the most popular plans compare, and why the same plan can cost very different amounts from one insurance company to the next.
What a Medicare Supplement plan does
Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) pays a large share of your hospital and medical bills, but not all of it. You still face deductibles, coinsurance, and copays. A Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, helps pay those leftover costs.
With Original Medicare and a Medigap plan, you can see any doctor or hospital in the U.S. that accepts Medicare. There are no networks and no referrals. That is a big reason people who travel or spend winters out of state like this route.
Medigap does not include prescription drugs, so most people pair it with a separate Part D drug plan.
New York's Medigap rules, in plain English
Year-round open enrollment
New York law requires insurers that sell Medigap to accept a Medicare enrollee's application at any time of year.
No health questions
Insurers can't deny you or charge you more because of your health, medical conditions, past claims, or the care you are receiving.
Community rating
Premiums are not based on your age, so a 70-year-old and an 80-year-old in the same area pay the same rate for the same plan from the same insurer.
Most states only guarantee you a Medigap plan during a one-time six-month window that starts when you are 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. After that, insurers in most states can ask health questions. New York is different, which gives you the freedom to revisit your Medigap choice later.
One detail to know: if you did not have continuous prior health coverage, an insurer may apply a waiting period of up to six months before covering costs for a pre-existing condition. We will check whether that could apply to you.
Plan G
For people new to Medicare since 2020, Plan G is the most complete Medigap plan available. After you pay the yearly Part B deductible, Plan G covers the remaining Medicare-approved costs for covered services. That includes the Part A hospital deductible, Part B coinsurance, and Part B excess charges.
Plan G suits people who want predictable costs and very few bills after the Part B deductible.
High Deductible Plan G
High Deductible Plan G has the same benefits as Plan G. The difference is that you pay Medicare-covered costs yourself until you meet a yearly deductible. CMS sets that deductible at $2,950 for 2026 and $3,050 for 2027. After you meet it, the plan pays like regular Plan G for the rest of the year. Your Part B deductible counts toward that amount.
Premiums are usually much lower than regular Plan G. This version can fit healthy people who want protection against a big medical year and can handle the deductible if one comes.
Plan N
Plan N covers most of what Plan G does, usually with a lower premium. In exchange, you pay the Part B deductible plus small copays: up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for emergency room visits that don't lead to an inpatient admission. Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges.
Plan N can fit people who don't mind an occasional copay and want to keep monthly costs down.
Plan G vs. High Deductible G vs. Plan N
| Benefit | Plan G | High Deductible G | Plan N |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A hospital deductible | Covered | Covered after plan deductible | Covered |
| Part A hospital coinsurance | Covered | Covered after plan deductible | Covered |
| Part B deductible | You pay | You pay (counts toward plan deductible) | You pay |
| Part B coinsurance | Covered | Covered after plan deductible | Covered, except copays up to $20 (office) / $50 (ER) |
| Part B excess charges | Covered | Covered after plan deductible | Not covered |
| Skilled nursing coinsurance | Covered | Covered after plan deductible | Covered |
| Foreign travel emergency | 80% (plan limits apply) | 80% after plan deductible | 80% (plan limits apply) |
| Typical premium | Highest of the three | Lowest | In between |
Benefits are standardized by federal law. Premium comparisons are general and vary by insurer and area.
Same plan, different price: why shopping matters
Medigap plans are standardized. A Plan G from one insurance company has the same benefits as a Plan G from any other. What differs is the price, the company's rate-increase history, and its customer service.
In New York, premiums can also vary by where you live, since insurers set rates by region. Two neighbors with the same plan can pay noticeably different amounts depending on which company they chose.
As independent agents, we compare the insurers we work with side by side for your ZIP code. Because New York has year-round enrollment, we can recheck your rate later. If a better-priced option appears for the same plan letter, you are not locked out.
Where Greenlight fits in
We are a family-run agency on Long Island, NY, helping New Yorkers with Medicare since 2007. Whether you are turning 65, retiring and leaving employer coverage, or reviewing what you have, we will explain your options and help you enroll. Our help comes at no cost to you.
Live on Long Island? See our Long Island Medicare agent page. Comparing Medicare Advantage or Part D this fall? Read about the Annual Enrollment Period review. For the basics, start with Medicare explained.
Talk it through with a real person
Questions? Call, text, or pick a time that works for you. Jordan or Scott will walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch Medigap plans any time in New York?
Yes. New York law requires Medigap insurers to accept applications from Medicare enrollees year-round, and they can't deny coverage or charge more because of your health. A waiting period of up to six months for pre-existing conditions may apply if you lacked continuous prior coverage.
Does my age affect my Medigap premium in New York?
No. New York requires community rating, so insurers can't base Medigap premiums on your age. Rates can differ by insurer and by the region where you live.
What is the difference between Plan G and Plan N?
Both cover most costs Original Medicare leaves behind. Plan N usually has a lower premium but has copays of up to $20 for some office visits and up to $50 for ER visits that don't result in admission, and it does not cover Part B excess charges. Plan G covers those.
What is the High Deductible Plan G deductible?
CMS set it at $2,950 for 2026 and $3,050 for 2027. After you meet it, the plan pays like regular Plan G for the rest of the year.
Does a Medigap plan include prescription drugs?
No. Medigap plans sold today don't include drug coverage, so most people add a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Is a Plan G from one company the same as another company's Plan G?
Yes, the benefits are standardized by federal law. Price, rate history, and service differ, which is why comparing insurers matters.
Keep reading
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 6 organizations which offer 20 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.
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