High-Deductible Plan G, explained.
High-Deductible Plan G gives you the exact same complete coverage as standard Plan G — but with a much lower monthly premium in exchange for a $2,950 annual deductible you pay first. For healthy savers, it can be the smartest math in Medigap. May River Medicare compares every plan against your budget, at no cost.
Same benefits as standard Plan G, different cost structure. Open to new enrollees. All figures reflect 2026 amounts.
The deductible is on your Medigap plan, not on Medicare. Medicare still pays its share first. You cover your portion of Medicare-approved costs — including the $283 Part B deductible, which counts toward the total — until you reach $2,950 for the year. After that, High-Deductible Plan G pays 100% of your remaining Medicare cost-sharing for the rest of the calendar year.
Three things to know about HD Plan G
Identical coverage to Plan G
Once you meet the $2,950 deductible, it pays exactly what standard Plan G pays — 100% of Medicare cost-sharing, including excess charges.
Dramatically lower premium
Premiums often run $30–$80/month versus $100–$300 for standard Plan G. You keep that cash unless you actually need care.
Best for healthy savers
If you rarely need major care, you may never hit the deductible — and the premium savings stay in your pocket year after year.
Exactly what Plan A does and doesn’t cover
What HD Plan G covers (after the $2,950 deductible)
- Part A hospital deductible ($1,736 in 2026)
- Part A hospital coinsurance — plus 365 extra days after Medicare benefits end
- Part B coinsurance or copayment (the 20% Original Medicare leaves you)
- Part B excess charges
- Skilled nursing facility coinsurance
- First 3 pints of blood + Part A hospice coinsurance
- Foreign travel emergency care (80% after deductible, up to plan limits)
What to keep in mind
- You pay the first $2,950 of Medicare cost-sharing each year first
- Part B deductible ($283) is not separately covered — but it counts toward the $2,950
- The deductible resets every January and rises most years
- Prescription drugs, dental, vision, hearing — not covered (pair with Part D)
The whole decision comes down to your break-even point. If your yearly premium savings (often $1,000–$2,000 vs. standard Plan G) are more than what you’d expect to spend on Medicare cost-sharing, HD Plan G wins — and many healthy people never come close to the $2,950. But in a heavy-care year, you’d pay that deductible up front. We’ll run the exact math for your area so you can decide with confidence.
Who HD Plan G tends to fit
Healthy, budget-minded savers
If you rarely need major medical care and would rather keep low fixed premiums, HD Plan G lets you hold onto your cash unless you actually use it.
Think long-term before you choose
Switching to standard Plan G later can require medical underwriting. If your health may change, we’ll help you weigh that before locking in.
No Medigap plan includes prescription coverage — you’ll pair Plan A with a separate Part D plan. And your best enrollment window is the 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period (starting when you’re 65 and on Part B), when carriers can’t deny you or charge more for health conditions.
Would HD Plan G save you money? Let’s do the math.
We’ll compare High-Deductible Plan G against standard Plan G and Plan N using real rates from 30+ A-rated carriers, and calculate your personal break-even point so you can see the true trade-off. Free, no pressure, no carrier bias.
May River Medicare Insurance is an independent agency and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government, the federal Medicare program, or CMS. Medigap benefits are federally standardized; premiums vary by carrier, age, location, and tobacco use. Figures reflect 2026 amounts published by CMS and independent sources. For a complete list of your options, contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.