What Does Medicare Plan G Cover?

Medicare Plan G is consistently one of the most popular and comprehensive Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) plans available to beneficiaries.¹ It’s designed to fill most of the “gaps” in coverage left by Original Medicare (Part A and Part B), helping to reduce out-of-pocket costs and provide more predictable healthcare expenses.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what g medicare covers:

Core Benefits of Medicare Plan G

Medicare Plan G is standardized, meaning that the benefits it offers are the same regardless of which private insurance company you purchase it from.³ This makes it easy to compare plans based on price and customer service rather than coverage differences

1. Medicare Part A Coinsurance and Hospital Costs:
   • Inpatient Hospital Stays: Plan G covers the Part A coinsurance for hospital stays.⁴ This is crucial as Original Medicare only fully covers the first 60 days of an inpatient stay. For days 61-90, you pay a daily coinsurance, and for days 91 and beyond (using your lifetime reserve days), the coinsurance significantly increases. Plan G covers these amounts in full.
   • Additional 365 Days: After your Medicare Part A benefits are exhausted (including your lifetime reserve days), Plan G provides coverage for an additional 365 days of inpatient hospital care. This offers a substantial safety net for extended hospitalizations.
   • Part A Deductible: In 2025, the Medicare Part A deductible is $1,676 per benefit period.⁵ Plan G covers this deductible entirely, so you won’t pay it out of pocket.
2. Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayment:
   • After you meet the annual Medicare Part B deductible (which is $257 in 2025), Plan G covers the 20% coinsurance or copayments for most Medicare Part B-approved services.⁶ This includes a wide range of outpatient services such as:

      

     • Doctor visits (including specialists)
     • Outpatient hospital services
     • Diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, CT scans)
     • Lab services
     • Durable medical equipment (DME)
     • Physical and occupational therapy
     • Some preventive services (after the deductible)⁹
3. First 3 Pints of Blood:
   • Original Medicare doesn’t cover the first three pints of blood you receive in a calendar year. Plan G steps in to cover these costs, ensuring you don’t face unexpected bills for blood transfusions.¹⁰
4. Part A Hospice Care Coinsurance or Copayment:
   • If you receive Medicare-approved hospice care, Plan G covers the minimal copayments associated with outpatient prescription drugs for pain and symptom management, and inpatient respite care.
5. Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Care Coinsurance:
   • For skilled nursing facility stays that follow a qualifying hospital stay, Original Medicare covers the first 20 days in full. For days 21-100, you are responsible for a daily coinsurance ($209.50 in 2025). Plan G covers this daily coinsurance in full, saving you significant costs during longer SNF stays. After day 100, you are responsible for all costs.
6. Medicare Part B Excess Charges:
   • This is a key differentiator for Plan G. In some states, healthcare providers who do not “accept Medicare assignment” are permitted to charge up to 15% more than the Medicare-approved amount for a service. These are known as “excess charges.” Plan G covers these excess charges at 100%, protecting you from these additional costs.¹¹ This is particularly valuable as only Plan G (and the now-closed-to-new-enrollees Plan F) offers this benefit.
7. Foreign Travel Emergency:
   • If you experience a medical emergency while traveling outside the United States, Plan G provides coverage.¹² It pays 80% of the billed charges for medically necessary emergency care, after a $250 annual deductible, up to a lifetime maximum benefit of $50,000. This coverage applies to emergencies that occur during the first 60 days of each trip.

What Medicare Plan G Does NOT Cover

While Plan G is highly comprehensive, it’s important to understand its limitations:

• Medicare Part B Deductible: This is the only “gap” in Original Medicare that Plan G does not cover. In 2025, you are responsible for paying the annual Part B deductible of $257 before Plan G (or Original Medicare Part B) begins to pay for covered services.
• Prescription Drugs: Plan G does not cover outpatient retail prescription drugs.¹⁴ For this coverage, you would need to enroll in a separate Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan.

  Routine Vision, Dental, and Hearing Care: Standard Medigap plans, including Plan G, generally do not cover routine eye exams, eyeglasses, dental cleanings, dentures, hearing aids, or related services.

• Long-Term Care: This includes custodial care in a nursing home or at home.
• Private Duty Nursing: One-on-one nursing care in your home is typically not covered.

High-Deductible Plan G Option

For beneficiaries looking for lower monthly premiums, a high-deductible version of Plan G is available.¹⁶ In 2025, the deductible for the high-deductible Plan G is $2,870.¹⁷ This means you must pay for Medicare-covered costs (including the Part A and Part B deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments) up to this amount before your high-deductible Plan G policy begins to pay. Once this deductible is met, the coverage is identical to the standard Plan G. This option can be suitable for those who are generally healthy and prefer to pay a higher deductible in exchange for lower monthly premiums.

Who Should Consider Medicare Plan G?

Medicare Plan G is an excellent choice for individuals who:

• Desire predictable and minimal out-of-pocket costs: After meeting the Part B deductible, Plan G covers virtually all remaining Medicare-approved costs.
• Anticipate frequent medical care: If you have chronic conditions or expect regular doctor visits and potential hospital stays, Plan G can significantly reduce your financial burden.
• Live in a state with Part B excess charges: The coverage for excess charges offers valuable protection against unexpected billing.
• Seek peace of mind: Knowing that you have comprehensive coverage for most medical expenses can provide significant financial security and reduce stress.

By understanding the extensive benefits of Medicare Plan G, you can make an informed decision about whether it’s the right choice to supplement your Original Medicare coverage.