by Russell Noga | Updated June 3rd, 2024
Medigap Plan N is one of the most popular supplemental Medicare policies, with over 10% of new enrollees choosing it to cover their out-of-pocket medical expenses. With Plan N, you can access any medical professional in the Medicare network, and benefits cover you for any medical emergency.
Plan N differs from the other nine Medigap programs requiring coinsurance costs and copays for some medical services. However, you get an affordable premium and all the coverage you need during a medical emergency.
So, what does Medicare supplement Plan N cover? What are its costs, and is it the right policy for you? Let’s find out.
Understanding Medicare Supplement Plan N
Medigap Plan N is part of the bouquet of supplemental Medicare insurance policies offered by private insurers. These policies cover the remaining 20% of out-of-pocket costs associated with your health care that Original Medicare Parts A & B doesn’t cover.
The Federal government regulates the benefits offered in Plan N across all providers. So, you’ll get the same level of coverage from any insurer’s Plan N you join in any state.
Medigap Plan N is widely available from insurers across all states, and most providers offer Plan N as one of the more popular options in the Medigap range.
Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Wisconsin standardize Plan N benefits differently than other states. You can call us, and we’ll run you through the details of the differences in coverage offered by Plan N in these states.
Plan N is a good choice for seniors that don’t need comprehensive coverage for all their out-of-pocket costs. You get an affordable premium but must make copays at the doctor’s office and the emergency room.
Plan N also doesn’t cover the excess charges involved with Original Medicare Part B, nor does it cover prescriptions, preventative care services, or the Part B deductible.
Who Suits a Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Medicare Supplement Plan N is a good choice for the following applicants.
- If you have Original Medicare Parts A & B and need more coverage to support the out-of-pocket costs left unpaid by these Original Medicare policies.
- For instance, you want to see any healthcare provider in the United States while traveling. Plan N lets you see any healthcare provider accepting “Medicare assignment” in the United States.
- If your primary care physician accepts Medicare assignment, you don’t have to worry about paying Part B excess charges.
- You’re willing to make copayments on trips to the emergency room and doctors’ offices in exchange for lower premiums.
What is Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Medigap Plan N is one of ten policies available to beneficiaries signed up for Original Medicare Parts A & B. Plan N implements a cost-sharing model where you make copayments for visiting the doctor’s office ($20) and the emergency room ($50).
However, Plan N waives the hospital copayment if you aren’t admitted into inpatient care.
You’ll make a monthly payment, known as the “premium,” to remain a beneficiary of Plan N. The premium can increase yearly, depending on personal factors like age and economic factors like inflation.
Plan N offers the best coverage for a more affordable monthly premium than Plan G or F.
How Medicare Supplement Plan N Works
Medigap Plan N fills the void left in what Original Medicare covers. Typically, Original Medicare Parts A & B only cover 80% of the out-of-pocket healthcare costs incurred through inpatient and outpatient healthcare services. Your Medigap policy pays for the remaining 20%.
For example, if you experience a medical emergency and are admitted to the hospital, you must pay a Part A deductible of $1,600 per benefit period of hospitalization. In some instances, two of these periods appear in a single year.
If that’s the case, Plan N covers the Part A deductible for both years, leaving you with nothing to pay.
Plan N covers this expense, giving you an additional 365 days to cover your hospital fees after using your Original Medicare benefits. Plan N pays for your coinsurance and copays for your Part B benefits, but you must make a copayment.
For example, if you see your doctor, Medicare Part A pays for 80% of the costs, and Plan N pays the rest, provided you make a $20 copayment. The same applies to hospital visits.
However, you’ll have to make a $50 copayment for going to the hospital if the doctor doesn’t admit you.
Doctors can charge up to 15% more than this amount, and you’re liable for this “Part B excess charge.” That means you’ll have to pay what Original Medicare and Plan N don’t cover.
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What Does Medicare Supplement Plan N Cover?
To summarize, Medigap Plan N offers you coverage for the following.
- Part A hospital costs and coinsurance.
- Part B copays and coinsurance (copays for doctors’ office and emergency room visits).
- First three pints of blood.
- Part A hospice.
- Care at skilled nursing facilities.
- Part A deductible.
- 80% of foreign travel emergencies.
What Plan N Doesn’t Cover
Plan N doesn’t cover you for preventative care like acupuncture therapy, foot care, or your prescriptions.
It also doesn’t cover any healthcare services for vision, hearing, and dental.
What are the Advantages of Medigap Plan N?
- One of the most popular Medigap plans.
- Offers you a good level of coverage, especially for medical emergencies.
- Widely available from most providers.
- Lower monthly premiums than Plans F & G.
What are the Disadvantages of Medigap Plan N?
- Requires copayments for doctor visits and trips to the emergency room.
- Doesn’t cover Part B excess charges.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Medicare Supplement Plan N is a type of private insurance policy designed to help cover the gaps left by Original Medicare, Part A and Part B.
What does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover?
Plan N covers a range of costs including Part A coinsurance and hospital costs, Part B coinsurance or copayments, and skilled nursing facility coinsurance, among other expenses.
Does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover the Medicare Part B deductible?
Yes, Plan N covers 100% of the Medicare Part B coinsurance after you pay the Part B deductible, which is beneficial for individuals seeking cost predictability.
Are there any out-of-pocket costs with Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Yes, you may have some out-of-pocket costs with Plan N, such as a copayment for each doctor’s visit and a copayment for each emergency room visit that doesn’t result in an inpatient admission.
Does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover excess charges from doctors who don’t accept Medicare assignment?
No, Plan N does not cover Part B excess charges, which means you would be responsible for paying any additional charges that exceed the Medicare-approved amount.
Does Medicare Supplement Plan N cover foreign travel emergencies?
Yes, Plan N provides coverage for foreign travel emergencies, covering 80% of eligible emergency care costs, up to plan limits.
Is there a limit to the coverage provided by Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Yes, Plan N has a yearly out-of-pocket limit. Once you reach this limit, the plan will cover 100% of covered services for the rest of the year.
Can I choose any doctor or hospital with Medicare Supplement Plan N?
Yes, you can see any doctor or specialist who accepts Medicare patients, without the need for referrals or a primary care physician.
Are prescription drugs covered by Medicare Supplement Plan N?
No, Plan N does not include prescription drug coverage. If you want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D plan.
Can I switch to Medicare Supplement Plan N at any time?
You can generally switch to Plan N at any time, but it’s important to be aware of any medical underwriting requirements, which could impact your ability to enroll or the cost of your premiums.
Get a Free Quote & Advice on Medicare Supplement Plan N
Do you want a free consultation on Medigap policies? Our fully licensed agents can take you through the specifics of any plan you’re interested in purchasing.
Call us at 1-888-891-0229, and we’ll discuss your needs.
If you’re convinced Plan N is the right choice for you, check out the quoting tool on this site and get a free automated quote on the best Plan N premiums from providers in your state. Or, if you want personalized service, complete the contact form on this site, and we’ll have one of our Medigap experts call you back.
Russell Noga is the CEO and Medicare editor of Medisupps.com. His 15 years of experience in the Medicare insurance market includes being a licensed Medicare insurance broker in all 50 states. He is frequently featured as a featured as a keynote Medicare event speaker, has authored hundreds of Medicare content pages, and hosts the very popular Medisupps.com Medicare Youtube channel. His expertise includes Medicare, Medigap insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare Part D.