Plan G has no single nationwide price. KFF's analysis shows existing policyholders paid about $194 a month on average in 2025. Quotes shift with state, insurer, age, tobacco use, rating method, and enrollment timing.
This article covers standard and high-deductible Plan G premiums, what belongs in a full Medicare budget, what drives quotes apart, and how to judge value.
Key Takeaways
- Plan G benefits are standardized, but insurers set their own premiums.
- The Plan G premium is separate from the Part B premium.
- High-deductible Plan G costs less monthly but carries a $2,950 deductible in 2026.
- The best choice depends on location, enrollment rights, health needs, and tolerance for rate increases.
How Much Does Medicare Plan G Cost?
Private insurers sell Plan G, and state rules shape how they price it. A single national average can mislead you.
Three mistakes show up often:
- Budgeting only for the Medigap premium and forgetting Part B and Part D
- Comparing a standard quote with a high-deductible quote as if they work the same way
- Treating a published average as your personal quote
Typical Plan G Premium Range
KFF's figures describe 2025 data for existing policyholders, not new applicants, and they include high-deductible policies. Treat them as a benchmark, not a quote.
| Source | Basis | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| KFF (2025 data) | National average, existing policyholders | $194 | $2,328 |
| KFF (2025 data) | State averages, New Mexico to New York | $164-$257 | $1,968-$3,084 |
| Virginia Bureau of Insurance (2026) | Standard Plan G, one sample profile | $109.75-$290.08 | $1,317-$3,481 |
| Harvard Pilgrim, New Hampshire (2026) | Plan G, age 65 | $256 | $3,072 |
The Virginia range comes from a single profile: a 65-year-old non-tobacco woman in Richmond, preferred risk class. It shows how far two carriers can sit apart for identical benefits. It is not a statewide average. Published 2026 West Virginia price ranges are hard to pin down, so ask for live quotes there.
High-deductible Plan G is sold in some states, and Virginia lists it. In 2026 you pay $2,950 in covered costs before the policy pays. Matched Virginia examples for that same sample profile:
| Insurer | Standard G (annual) | High-deductible G (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington National | $1,544 | $365 |
| Continental Life | $2,462 | $705 |
| Mutual of Omaha | $2,753 | $632 |
These are examples, not a promised savings rate.
A Plan G premium generally covers only the Medigap policy. It leaves out Part B, prescription drug coverage, and dental or vision coverage.
Cost Components of a Plan G Budget
- Plan G premium: a recurring payment to the private insurer whether or not you use care.
- Part B premium: Plan G supplements Original Medicare, so you keep paying this. The 2026 standard amount is $202.90 a month, and higher incomes pay more.
- Part B deductible: $283 in 2026; standard Plan G does not cover it.
- What Plan G covers: Part A coinsurance and deductible, Part B coinsurance, and Part B excess charges.
- Drugs and extras: retail prescriptions generally need separate Part D coverage. Medigap generally excludes vision, dental, hearing aids, and eyeglasses.
Key Factors That Affect Medicare Plan G Premiums
Federal rules standardize Plan G benefits. Insurers still price them differently based on state regulation, applicant profile, and their own risk pool.
State and Residential Area
State insurance rules, local healthcare costs, insurer competition, and your ZIP code all factor into your premium. KFF's state averages run from $164 in New Mexico to $257 in New York. A state average is not a quote for any one resident.
Age, Gender, Tobacco Use, and Health
Where state law allows, insurers may price by age, gender, and tobacco use. Outside a protected enrollment period, many insurers can also use medical underwriting. Your health history could then affect whether you're accepted or what you pay.
Rating Method
Medicare describes three methods:
- Community-rated: generally the same premium regardless of age. Increases come from inflation and other factors.
- Issue-age-rated: based on your age when you buy. Aging alone doesn't raise it.
- Attained-age-rated: based on your current age, so premiums rise as you age.
Attained-age policies often start cheapest and grow the fastest, so a low starting premium isn't always the cheapest option over time.
Some states restrict these methods. KFF lists community-rating requirements in Arkansas, Connecticut, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maine, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington.
Insurance Company and Discounts
Two insurers can charge different prices for the same Plan G. Claims experience, administrative costs, pricing strategy, and enrollment mix all differ. Medicare lists possible discounts for annual or electronic payment, marriage, nonsmoking, and multiple policies. Availability varies, so ask each carrier.
Enrollment Timing and Guaranteed-Issue Rights
The six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts the first month you're 65 or older and enrolled in Part B. Insurers can't use your health to deny coverage or charge more during it. Other guaranteed-issue situations exist, so confirm yours with Medicare.gov and your state insurance department.
Virginia and West Virginia differ on switching:
- Virginia: a 60-day window beginning on your birthday lets you move to a same-benefit plan with any insurer, with no health underwriting.
- West Virginia: a similar window applies after 24 months of continuous coverage, but generally only with your same insurer or an affiliate.
Plan Design and Optional Features
High-deductible Plan G trades a lower premium for more out-of-pocket risk early on. Some insurers add wellness features or discounts, and regulators must approve these. Don't treat them as part of the standardized Plan G package.
Low-Cost vs High-Cost Medicare Plan G: What's the Difference?
A cheaper quote doesn't mean thinner standardized benefits. The gap usually reflects the carrier, rating method, location, applicant profile, or deductible.
Premium and Immediate Out-of-Pocket Costs
- Lower-cost Plan G: lower monthly premiums, but it may be a high-deductible policy or use a rating method that climbs later.
- Higher-cost Plan G: often a standard policy with no separate $2,950 threshold. A higher price doesn't buy better federal benefits.
Coverage and Provider Access
Standardized Plan G policies provide the same core benefits whatever the price. When you pay more, compare the insurer's claims service, rate history, and any approved extras.
Predictability and Financial Risk
High-deductible Plan G can fit someone who can set aside funds and prefers lower fixed premiums. Standard Plan G fits someone who wants predictable costs after the Part B deductible.
Original Medicare has no overall out-of-pocket cap, which is why many people value that predictability.
Long-Term Value
Compare annual premium, deductible exposure, likely rate changes, and your ability to absorb a surprise bill. The better fit depends on your cash reserves and how much cost certainty you want year to year.
How to Estimate the Right Budget for Medicare Plan G
Your budget should include predictable premiums and possible out-of-pocket costs, not only the lowest monthly price.
- Get personalized quotes using your state, ZIP code, age, gender, tobacco status, enrollment date, and current coverage.
- Add the annual Plan G premium to Part B, Part D, dental, vision, and hearing costs.
- Compare standard and high-deductible G using both the premium gap and the $2,950 deductible. Review each insurer's rating method and rate history.
Virginia and West Virginia readers can work with Muneris Benefits. Its licensed agents compare Medicare Supplement options, explain plan terms, and review premiums against your needs and budget.
What Most People Miss
- Looking only at the monthly premium. Annual cost, deductibles, Part B, and drug coverage all matter.
- Ignoring future increases. CSG Actuarial's 2026 rate analysis found submitted increases of roughly 15%-17% for standard Plan G and 7%-11% for high-deductible G (filings, not final rates).
- Picking the cheapest quote blindly. Check enrollment protections, carrier stability, customer support, and whether you could handle a high deductible or a rate jump.
Conclusion
Plan G premiums vary by insurer, location, rating method, applicant profile, enrollment timing, and deductible type. The premium is also only one piece of your Medicare budget.
The right cost balances predictable coverage, manageable out-of-pocket exposure, and long-term affordability. Start with real quotes, not averages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average monthly premium for Medicare Plan G?
KFF reports about $194 a month for existing policyholders in 2025 data. That isn't a 2026 new-applicant quote, which depends on your state, age, and insurer.
How much do Medicare Supplement plans cost?
Premiums vary by plan letter, insurer, state, rating method, and enrollment timing. Part B and other costs are separate.
What is the deductible for Medigap high-deductible Plan G in 2026?
It is $2,950. You pay that amount in covered costs before the policy pays, in exchange for a lower premium.
How much will the Medicare Supplement rate increase in 2026?
It depends on carrier, plan, rating method, and location. CSG Actuarial saw submitted standard Plan G increases of roughly 15%-17% through August 2026.
What are the key differences between Medicare Plan F and Plan G?
Plan F covers the Part B deductible ($283 in 2026); Plan G doesn't. Plan F is closed to people newly eligible for Medicare on or after January 1, 2020.
Is Medicare Plan G worth the money?
It depends on premium, expected healthcare use, and your ability to handle deductibles. Plan G fits people who want more predictable costs under Original Medicare.
